Neal Straton
Georgetown,KY
Summary
Industrial Engineer with a background in automotive quality engineering, APQP, and process optimization. Leads engineering teams, supports new program launches, and prepares KPI reporting to keep delivery, documentation, and quality targets on track. Partners with cross-functional teams to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
New Model QE Supervisor
Nifco America
Shelbyville, KY
11.2021 - Current
- Lead and mentor engineering team, including hiring, onboarding, and training of new engineers.
- Manage engineering workload across multiple program launches, ensuring on-time delivery.
- Produce weekly and monthly KPI/KAI reports for local and executive leadership.
- Coordinate Kaizen initiatives to improve department efficiency, employee satisfaction, and customer outcomes.
- Foster healthy work/life balance to enhance employee retention and growth.
APQP Engineering Lead
Nifco America
Shelbyville, KY
02.2021 - 11.2021
- Directed PFMEA and Control Plan development for standard manufacturing processes.
- Led ISO/IATF audit preparation and response activities.
- Developed training and growth plans for APQP engineers.
- Streamlined pre-production quality documentation processes and approved all QE documentation prior to customer submission.
- Served as primary contact for customer quality escalation and testing coordination, yielding improved response times and documentation accuracy.
Project Engineer
Nifco America
Shelbyville, KY
11.2019 - 02.2021
- Oversaw development of new program launches from design to mass production hand-off.
- Managed budgets and schedules across multiple projects and programs.
- Conducted ROI analysis for capital investments and Kaizen activities.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless production readiness and supplier quality compliance.
APQP Engineer
Nifco America
Shelbyville, KY
09.2017 - 11.2019
- Developed tooling and process solutions in collaboration with design and manufacturing teams.
- Participated in Kaizen events to reduce labor and material costs.
- Designed inspection fixtures and developed standards for new parts.
- Compiled and organized PPAP documentation; traveled to NAMCs to oversee trial builds and implement corrective actions.
Industrial Engineering Intern
Nifco America
Shelbyville, KY
06.2017 - 09.2017
- Optimized in-process quality audits using time study results, improving efficiency across injection molding presses.
- Created standardized work charts and best practices for inspections.
- Conducted factorial experiments to determine optimal machine processing parameters.
Engineering Co-Op
Precision MetalWorks
Louisville, KY
01.2015 - 01.2017
- Managed projects including material/supplier changes and new product introductions.
- Developed, trained, and implemented standardized work procedures, reducing cycle time and improving consistency.
- Compiled PPAP documentation and facilitated cross-functional communication of processes.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Industrial Engineering
J.B. Speed School of Engineering, University of Louisville
Louisville, KY12.2017
Bachelor of Arts - Business Management
St. Catharine College
Springfield, KY05.2012
Skills
- Engineering Leadership & Team Management
- Process Optimization & Lean Manufacturing
- Quality Assurance & Automotive Standards
- GD&T
- Engineering Design & Drawing Standards
- Data Analysis
- 3D Software for Engineering Analysis
- APQP
- PFMEA
- Control Plan Development
- Project Management
- KPI Reporting
- Strong Written and Oral Communication
- Advanced Excel Modeling
- MiniTab
- Power BI
Key Projects/Achievements
- HVPT Optimization (Nifco GNNP Project, 2019), Led engineering team to streamline hand-off process for mass production, consolidating multiple documents into a cohesive process and saving significant engineering time.
- Testing Dashboard (Nifco America, 2021), Developed a dashboard to track material testing requirements across programs, reducing duplicate testing and generating significant cost savings for all future program launches.
- PFMEA/Control Plan Standardization (Nifco America, 2025), Led cross-functional team in developing standardized family PFMEA and Control Plan, establishing a consistent approach to risk assessment across product lines. Collaborated with other Nifco facilities across the region to evaluate, procure, and implement PFMEA software, driving greater standardization in quality planning practices.
Timeline
New Model QE Supervisor
Nifco America
11.2021 - Current
APQP Engineering Lead
Nifco America
02.2021 - 11.2021
Project Engineer
Nifco America
11.2019 - 02.2021
APQP Engineer
Nifco America
09.2017 - 11.2019
Industrial Engineering Intern
Nifco America
06.2017 - 09.2017
Engineering Co-Op
Precision MetalWorks
01.2015 - 01.2017
Bachelor of Science - Industrial Engineering
J.B. Speed School of Engineering, University of Louisville
Bachelor of Arts - Business Management
St. Catharine College