Michael S Arrington
Burleson,TX
Summary
Defense Industry professional with a proven track record of financial growth, strategic focus, and continuous improvement. Over 25 years of experience across the business domain, including program/project management, engineering, logistics, production, customer support and finance. Exceptional ability in developing solutions to complex problems, team development, program management, and goal achievement through fostering team cohesion. Career success is built on building strong cross functional team relationships with my teammates and customers alike. Proven performance in strategic, technical, organizational, and business solutions. I am seeking a leadership opportunity to work in a dynamic environment where performance will benefit my team, the company, and myself Experienced Program Manager with background in leading diverse teams to accomplish project objectives. Strengths include strategic planning, process improvement, and stakeholder management. Known for leveraging technical skills to improve organizational efficiency and drive project success. Previous work contribution includes streamlining processes for improved productivity and implementing innovative program strategies that increased overall performance.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Lakota Program Manager / Head of Lakota Programs
Airbus US / Airbus Helicopters Inc.
Grand Prairie, TX
11.2018 - Current
- Responsible for all Lakota Program communications with US Army leadership, concerning product improvement, engineering, and fleet retrofits.
- Successfully managed the contract performance including contract proposals, negotiations and P&L valued at ~$400M annually, a fleet of 483 helicopters both CONUS and OCONUS, and new production deliveries from the Columbus, MS plant.
- Increased CLS business 82% over last 5 years: Maximized customers business with Airbus through strong relationships with the customer, expanded retrofits, maintenance and engineering efforts. All CPARS 'very good' or better.
- Evolved the Lakota platform to UH-72B: negotiated and convinced the customer to transition from the 'A' model to the 'B'. Delivered the 18 initial UH-72Bs on-time to customer satisfaction.
- Developed solution to Fort Novosel training issue: implemented solutions to address aircraft availability issues for the customer, while increasing revenue and maintaining P&L margins.
- Head of proposal and negotiations for CLS: Led the proposal team in the signing of CLS 2022, a 4.5-year production contract, valued at $1.6B.
Director US Programs / Lakota Program Director
Safran Helicopter Engines
Grand Prairie, TX
03.2015 - 11.2018
- Held both responsibilities simultaneously through my employment.
- Director US Programs: Responsible for Arrius and Arriel (LHE) product lines reporting to the VP in France and CEO in the US. Responsibilities include launching product improvements, ensuring US market requirements are met, prioritizing part distribution and manufacturing with France.
- Lakota Program Manager - responsible for both production and support contracts ($50M/yr), managing forecasts for parts, developing solutions to part shortages and quality recalls.
- Maintained 100% compliance on all performance metrics in the support and production contracts.
- Developed and implemented solutions to solve material deficiencies while maintaining customer satisfaction through proper reporting and quick response time.
- Key driver in developing the strategy and implementation of the fuel coking solution.
- Developed KPIs for Lakota contract which could be used to improve company margins and present these charts monthly to SafranHE’s executive committee in France.
- Managed SafranHE negotiations of CLS Next contract and the strategy and transition to execute it.
- Developed solution to Lakota overhaul spike and developed strategy for Safran’s follow-on support offering.
Aeromechanical Project Engineer
EADS North America
Huntsville, AL
01.2010 - 03.2015
- Project lead for mission equipment integration on the LUH Platform.
- Responsibilities include developing SOW, performance plan, schedule with engineering, suppliers, contracts and customer to initiate program, executing and reporting program status, developing technical approach with engineering that meets customer objectives, direct interface with the PM LUH at Redstone Arsenal on program Status.
- All programs require FAA certification for installation on the LUH platform; responsibilities include definition and submission of certification plan and fulfillment of the PNL for certification.
- Specific programs include Usage Spectrum expansion for the LUH - directed engineering stress team in coordination with AED to obtain proper AWR for LUH; Erosion protection of the transparencies and main rotor blade; Development of UMARK for LUH, worked with UAH to develop the program to deliver the recovery kit; Installation of IR tactical lighting on the LUH.
- Project Lead for sustainment issues in the fleet. Reviewed issues with the PM LUH engineering and developed and delivered solutions to keep the program sold.
Program Lead Engineer - Phantom Works
The Boeing Company
Mesa, AZ
02.2005 - 01.2010
- In charge of managing the EATTS2 contract which was an IDIQ sole source contract with twenty-two delivery orders and a contract value of $75M.
- Lead engineer and CAM for the program.
- Responsibilities for EATTS2 included developing and acquiring new R&D projects for the IDIQ contract.
- As program lead, I led a team of engineers reviewing and modifying designs to meet customer expectations.
- The focus of the projects was to reduce costs and/or improve AH-64 fleet performance and reliability.
- Projects were required to transition to the fielded fleet.
- Additional responsibilities included technical performance as IPT Lead Engineer, all financial reporting in an earned value management environment, working with the customer (US Army, Huntsville) for program project reviews, and identifying personnel to perform and integrate the efforts.
- Concurrently executed the ERDS program, tasks included coordinating and leading monthly program reviews with individual engineering project teams to evaluate current performance, designs, and future activities.
- Mesa, AZ
IPT Lead - Apache Programs Ordnance/Drive Systems
The Boeing Company
Mesa, AZ
02.2005 - 01.2010
- Design Lead for the ERDS program tasked with leading R&D projects by ensuring the project remained on task, with in budget, and on schedule, which included on time delivery of all CDRL’s.
- Lead designer of the composite top cover for the Apache transmission, responsible for reducing the structural weight by 50%, developed a new Boeing Proprietary system for transmitting the torque through the top cover.
- Lead designer on the Apache Block III nose gear box, responsibilities included design oversight of all of the components in the assembly, coordinated and managed team to ensure a proper assembly at completion.
- Held the role of proposal lead for ordnance integration on the CSAR aircraft, with emphasis on cost and quality.
- Performed threat suppression and survivability analysis for CSAR proposal.
- Considered a subject matter expert in weapons systems and weapons integration within The Boeing Company and aerospace industry.
- Lead Designer on the RAMICS turret, tasked with designing the recoil, mounting of the MK44, case reclamation, and overall dimensional analysis.
- Mesa, AZ
Manager of Engineering
Butler National Corporation
Tempe, AZ
06.2004 - 02.2005
- Tasked with developing and organizing an Engineering department to streamline production of the many Butler National products.
- The main objective was the re-design of all of the products utilizing developmental skills to reduce cost, ease manufacturing, and document all products to ISO 9000 standards.
- Reduced total cost on the Gun Control Unit (GCU) by 10%, worked with vendors to eliminate discrepancies in cables and designed new tooling.
Ordnance Design Engineer
The Boeing Company
Mesa, AZ
11.1996 - 05.2004
- Lead designer on the .50 Caliber Chain Gun, responsible for design, stress, manufacturing, assembly and testing of the prototype guns, implemented model-based definition on design of the .50 Caliber gun.
- Responsibilities included working with customers and suppliers to ensure product reliability and resolving discrepancies using problem solving skills with a focus on team resolution, managing and completing IRAD projects while providing quarterly presentations to division executives for approval, and performing stress analysis on all gun systems using Mechanica.
- Designer in the MK44 cannon and lead designer of the Bush III and Bush IV Bushmaster series receivers.
- Performed redesign on the M242 canon for the Bradley fighting vehicle.
- Performed numerous turret integrations to include the ammunition handling system.
- Integrated fusing systems into the Mk44 for fused ammunition.
Structures Design Engineer
The Boeing Company
Mesa, AZ
11.1997 - 04.1999
- Design Engineer in fuselage structures as a member of a IPT team, completed such tasks as the redesign of the composite fairings on the Apache.
- Other responsibilities included conversion of vellum drawings to UniGraphics; creating engineering orders to correct production issues; inspected peers designs in release process.
- Completed such projects as preliminary layout of monolithic canted bulkhead and the modeling and redesign of various frames along the Apache structure.
Engineer
McDonnell Douglas
Long Beach, CA
09.1996 - 11.1997
- Associate engineer in fuselage structures responsible for automation of production; structural redesign to ease in assembly; graphic design with UniGraphics v.10/11, to streamline production process.
- Completed such projects as quality point inspection of skin surfaces, ramp torque box redesign, and assembly automation packages.
- Developed proficiencies in UniGraphics and processing engineering orders.
- Obtained UniGraphics modeling and teaching certification.
Education
Master's Degree - Business Administration
Arizona State
Tempe05.2002
Bachelor's Degree - Aerospace Engineering
Embry Riddle Aero University
Prescott04.1996
Skills
- Program management and strategic planning
- Proposal negotiation and business development
- Technical compliance
- Customer relationship management
- Problem solving
- Team development and leadership
- P&L management
Affiliations
Outdoors - Hiking, Camping, Off-roading, Boating
Timeline
Lakota Program Manager / Head of Lakota Programs
Airbus US / Airbus Helicopters Inc.
11.2018 - Current
Director US Programs / Lakota Program Director
Safran Helicopter Engines
03.2015 - 11.2018
Aeromechanical Project Engineer
EADS North America
01.2010 - 03.2015
Program Lead Engineer - Phantom Works
The Boeing Company
02.2005 - 01.2010
IPT Lead - Apache Programs Ordnance/Drive Systems
The Boeing Company
02.2005 - 01.2010
Manager of Engineering
Butler National Corporation
06.2004 - 02.2005
Structures Design Engineer
The Boeing Company
11.1997 - 04.1999
Ordnance Design Engineer
The Boeing Company
11.1996 - 05.2004
Engineer
McDonnell Douglas
09.1996 - 11.1997
Master's Degree - Business Administration
Arizona State
Bachelor's Degree - Aerospace Engineering
Embry Riddle Aero University