Mikell Baden
Tucson,AZ
Summary
Dynamic and results-oriented Production Manager with over 20 years of experience in the aerospace industry in both the FAA Part 145 and Part 21 environments. Proven track record of enhancing production processes, reducing costs, and leading cross-functional teams to achieve project goals. Skilled in implementing automation and sustainable practices to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving field.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Production Manager
Universal Avionics
Tucson, AZ
01.2023 - Current
- Lead and mentor a dynamic team comprising 13 technicians, 2 engineering/process techs, and 10 assembly professionals, cultivating a synergistic team environment that extends beyond internal operations
- Strategically aided in the organizational transition from a privately-held retrofit enterprise to a commercially-driven entity, with a keen focus on cultivating Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) projects
- Key contributor to the successful implementation of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, serving as a ‘super user’ and navigating the company through complex challenges to maintain uninterrupted product delivery
- Working to improve reporting in the ERP system to accurately quantify cost, yield, process times, and WIP reporting
- Foster cross-functional collaboration on continuous improvement initiatives, driving process optimization and operational excellence to bolster overall efficiency.
Test Supervisor
Universal Avionics
Tucson, AZ
01.2019 - 01.2023
- Lead a team of 13 test technicians, providing support, growth, and accountability
- Effectively managed board repair activities to help reduce the collection of defective boards
- Maintained rolled test yield metrics and reported weekly on trends and issues/resolutions
- Managed priorities through the test processes of manufacturing on the board and system lines.
Test Engineer
Universal Avionics
Tucson, AZ
01.2018 - 01.2023
- Primarily supported the board line and system line testing processes, failure analysis projects, and implemented improvements to increase first pass yield
- Aided in Kaizen and Lean Six Sigma methodologies, resulting in improvements to overall board line process efficiency
- Lead a reduction of defective inventory resulting in a 50% decrease of defective inventory
- Spearheaded a transfer of technology project to incorporate a reduced cost test system for an enhanced vision system in the manufacturing facility
- Was integral to providing test engineering support for multiple transfer of technology projects.
Engineering Technician
Universal Avionics
Tucson, AZ
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Improved on GPS testing in the repair station by redesigning, planning, and implementing a GPS distribution network for reliability and adaptability
- Collaborated with engineering on bringing GPS repair capabilities into the repair station
- Was key in identifying and providing detailed reports on multiple design flaws in the GPS modules that caused an average 3-year MTBR
- Was integral in providing solutions and implementing repair/rework solutions in repair station to improve the MTBR by at least 2 years (estimated based on process improvements)
- Instrumental in improving the calibration of radios in the Unilink products
- Implemented test/integration racks into the repair station for mobility
- Lead an out-of-box failure project and weekly meetings to discuss returned units in under 90 days for failures
- Reported yearly on MTBR for top 10 high-runner products for 3 years consecutively.
Electronics Technician 4
Universal Avionics
Tucson, AZ
01.2014 - 01.2016
- Performed board repair to component level using engineering data
- Reported major trends to the appropriate support staff in a timely manner
- Effectively worked to break down silos to be collaborative with manufacturing and support staff
- Was certified in solder rework and performed regular rework on boards.
Electronics Technician 2
Universal Avionics
Tucson, AZ
01.2010 - 01.2014
- Performed system and board repair to component level.
Customer Technician 3
Universal Avionics
Tucson, AZ
01.2006 - 01.2010
- Performed all duties as Customer Technician 1, however, in a much more experienced and broader scale
- Was trained on the newer UA products from the instrument division.
Customer Technician 1
Universal Avionics
Tucson, AZ
01.2004 - 01.2006
- Performed system level troubleshooting, upgrades, and testing on customer returns
- Performed minor rework to upgrade/repair boards in customer returns.
Education
Bachelors in Engineering Management -
Arizona State University
12.2025
Associate of Science in Computer and Electronic Engineering -
ITT Technical Institute Tucson
01.2004
Skills
- Production Planning and Scheduling
- Inventory Management
- Process Improvement
- Team Leadership and Development
- Quality Control and Assurance
- Critical Thinking
- Technical Troubleshooting
- Microsoft 365 (full suite)
- INFOR LN
- TipQA
- UKG
- Agile
- UniCam
- Java (intermediate)
- Team Development
Timeline
Production Manager
Universal Avionics
01.2023 - Current
Test Supervisor
Universal Avionics
01.2019 - 01.2023
Test Engineer
Universal Avionics
01.2018 - 01.2023
Engineering Technician
Universal Avionics
01.2016 - 01.2018
Electronics Technician 4
Universal Avionics
01.2014 - 01.2016
Electronics Technician 2
Universal Avionics
01.2010 - 01.2014
Customer Technician 3
Universal Avionics
01.2006 - 01.2010
Customer Technician 1
Universal Avionics
01.2004 - 01.2006
Bachelors in Engineering Management -
Arizona State University
Associate of Science in Computer and Electronic Engineering -
ITT Technical Institute Tucson
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