Nathan Truax
Battle Creek,MI
Summary
Dynamic Technical Authority and Field Project Manager with over 14 years of experience delivering mission-critical engineering solutions on a global scale. Expertise in navigating high-stakes environments and excelling in 'Black Box' problem-solving for Tier 1 aerospace, defense, and automotive manufacturers. Renowned for transforming extreme technical complexity into innovative, cost-effective solutions, whether through reverse-engineering undocumented code or architecting multi-OEM integrations. Eager to collaborate with industry leaders in automation and systems integration, offering a 'Gold Standard' technical pedigree and a relentless commitment to continuous improvement and excellence in all professional endeavors.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Field Service Engineer & Project Lead
PRAB, Inc.
Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States
07.2024 - Current
- Consultative Value-Add: Act as a direct technical advisor to Tier-1 clients, transforming standard service calls into "Value Engineering" sessions. Advise customers on looping interlocks into existing infrastructure to achieve high-function automation with minimal capital expenditure.
- High-Stakes Oversight: Manage the full lifecycle of fluid processing projects with total content ranging from $150,000 to over $1,000,000, ensuring strict contractor compliance to Scope of Work (SOW).
- Automation Architecture: Design and implement Micro800 interlocks across disparate OEM platforms without existing schematics. Optimize Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI) to enhance workplace safety and operator efficiency.
- Global Problem Solving: Serve as the sole technical entity for wastewater and fluid processing systems, managing complex chemical/material compatibilities and "black box" troubleshooting across 50 states and international territories.
- Consultative Value Engineering
- Multi-OEM Systems Integration
- "Black Box" Logic Recovery
- Cross-Functional Project Coordination
- Control Logic Optimization (VFD/PLC)
Industrial Systems & Reliability Specialist
New Belgium Brewing & Others
Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States
03.2021 - 07.2024
- Operational Excellence: Championed Kaizen principles at New Belgium Brewing (and beyond) to optimize high-speed packaging and chemical CIP lines, significantly increasing asset uptime.
- Intellectual Growth & Adaptation: Intentionally applied high-level systems logic to resource-constrained environments (Prairie Farms/Motus), stabilizing 480V control cabinets and resolving program race conditions where no documentation existed. Employment in this period was brief, however intensely project oriented toward glaring inefficiencies and improvements like spearheading the construction of a robot cell.
- Systems Engineering: Authored comprehensive SOPs and PM schedules, elevating safety and institutional knowledge in under-supported manufacturing environments.
- Reliability Specialty: A consistent high level MEP troubleshooter and fully functioning mechanic able to apply high level efficiency skills to low order tasks for MTBF performance optimization
Lead Systems Specialist
Q3 Technologies LLC & Others
Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States
04.2018 - 03.2021
- Industrial Communications: Designed robust network infrastructures for harsh environments, specializing in Panduit structured cabling. Was able to participate in the installation of a 25 year warrantied industrial ethernet distribution system spanning a large, multi story dairy manufacturing facility. I personally terminated and certified every connection to ensure peak performance on certification equipment to ensure long term reliability.
- High Voltage cross over: Trained as an apprentice electrician in the industrial service sector due to prior low voltage troubleshooting skills. Developed a robust understanding of industrial infrastructure, code compliance, motor function, 480 power distribution/automation, and electrical theory.
- Commercial and Home automation: Installed integrated CCTV, Security, Access control, and state of the art A/V smart home control systems. I was able to install systems for billionaires in the residential sector, and i was also able to get my first experience as a "office hybrid" lead technician. I was able to design, procure, and lead the build for these installations.
Line Cook
Applebee's Neighborhood Grill + Bar
03.2016 - 04.2018
- Service and Quality: Had the pleasure to deliver fast and clean meals to my community, spending time with peers and focusing on recording music after a long, and very intense time living in California. I never went to college, this was as close as i got and i really enjoyed it. My boss always said i talked about systems and optimization so much he knew i would be back (he was right).
Lead Systems Specialist
Diversified
Santa Clara, California, United States
03.2010 - 03.2016
- Enterprise Integration: Directed end-to-end Audio/Visual and control systems deployment for Silicon valley fortune 500 companies, military, sports, broadcast and government facilities.
- Technical skill and leadership: validated performance via precision test and measurement protocols and rigid installation quality dictated by Infocomm CTSi certification standards. I often set the pace for performance, leading from the back from the very beginning.
- Field Service: Travelled California extensively to perform diagnostics and system repair as well as incredibly large construction projects like the apple "mothership" building allowing for exposure to systems of all ages and a remarkable range of capabilities.
Education
High School Diploma -
Skills
- Remote support
- Equipment installation
- Troubleshooting and repair
- On-site support
Certification
Certifications:
Infocomm CTS-I, Panduit Industrial Automation, Electrician Apprentice, OSHA 30.
Timeline
Field Service Engineer & Project Lead
PRAB, Inc.
07.2024 - Current
Industrial Systems & Reliability Specialist
New Belgium Brewing & Others
03.2021 - 07.2024
Lead Systems Specialist
Q3 Technologies LLC & Others
04.2018 - 03.2021
Line Cook
Applebee's Neighborhood Grill + Bar
03.2016 - 04.2018
Lead Systems Specialist
Diversified
03.2010 - 03.2016