Richard Lakin
Palm Coast,FL
Summary
Disciplined mechanic, repair manager, and technician with over 25 years of progressive excellence in managing and executing comprehensive inspections, maintenance, diagnostics, and overhauls for leading government contractors. Demonstrated ability to lead teams, optimize performance, and adapt to dynamic priorities and evolving project requirements. Exceptional communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills, complemented by leadership capabilities that inspire and motivate colleagues and clients. Expertise in component fabrication, welding methodologies across various metals and alloys, and skilled rigging, supported by a strong foundation in load-bearing engineering and complex computations for successful project execution.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Project Task Supervisor
General Dynamics IT
04.2024 - 08.2025
- Supervised daily operations to ensure adherence to quality standards and safety protocols.
- Coordinated team schedules to optimize workflow and maintain project timelines.
- Implemented process improvements that enhanced productivity and reduced downtime.
- Trained and mentored new staff on operational procedures and equipment usage.
1st Class Mechanic
L3 Harris
03.2021 - 03.2024
- Provided engineering support to produce optical alignment to facilitate shipboard alterations.
- Managed team, delegate work assignments, and ensure proper procedures were followed to meet client requirements.
- Execute systems restoration on sonar dome.
- Perform quality control on all work performed.
- Mentor, advise and consult team members and ensure team members are trained for assignments.
Installation Technician III
PRISM MARITIME
02.2019 - 02.2021
- Perform advanced installation including field engineering and modernization of United States Navy Ships operating across the spectrum of worldwide operations including Ships Self Defense System (SSDS), weapon systems, and related power and control systems.
- Direct team of up to five, delegate assignments, and ensure alignment with priorities.
- Perform systems phased installation, system cabling including pulling, and complete system, engineering and cabling documentation with shipboard drawings custodian.
- Coordinate work and assignments, and ensure accurate communications with senior leadership, outside vendors, and multiple in-house shops and workcenters.
- Perform component and system quality assurances.
- Participate in on-site engineering solutions and ensure compliance with client calendar requirements.
- Provide regular reporting including identification of obstacles and solutions.
- Mentor, advise and consult team members and ensure team members are trained for assignments.
Senior Maintenance Technician
GENERAL DYNAMICS
02.2018 - 02.2019
- As Engineering Technician performed a broad range of installations, repairs, diagnostics, inspections and testing of electrical and mechanical shipboard systems on U.S. Navy ships and field installations for leading government contractor.
- Delivered accurate and timely integrated communications with testing, technical, engineering and various shop team members.
Engineering Technician / Welder II
BAE SYSTEMS INC.
01.2004 - 01.2017
- Over 13 years of progressive work with leading government contractor. Originally hired in Maryland, and later relocated to San Diego, California.
- Performed installation of new weapons and communication systems, and rebuilding of destroyers including the Aegis Combat System and MK 38.
- Performed multiple trade duties for facilities maintenance, new construction and repair operations.
- Directed team of up to 25, delegated assignments, and ensured all work done according to directives, timeline requirements, and manufacturer specifications.
- Managed team and individual performances and mentored underperforming team members mentorship.
- Ensured all team members were trained for assignments including complete OSHA related safety training.
- Ensured compliance with all directives from schematics, blueprints, and oral communications.
- Troubleshot, repaired, installed and maintained various machinery and parts including fabricating, installing and welding stainless steel cabling tube including working with aluminum, steel and stainless-steel materials.
- Fabricated, repaired, modified, laid out, installed and tested fabricated components.
- Performed a broad range of welding techniques including Plasma, Gas, Air, Brazing and Arc Welding.
- Cut and de-burred aluminum, stainless steel and metal alloys.
- Coordinated with structural engineers to ensure product design was accurately fabricated.
- Provided complete end-of-day team reporting and activity documentation.
- Ensured team compliance with all safety, corporate, Navy, and OSHA regulations, policies and practices.
Welder
Freelance Welder – Construction Sites
01.1996 - 11.2007
Rigger
CRANE SERVICES COMPANY INC.
01.2003 - 01.2004
- Assembled rigging to lift and move heavy equipment or material onto downtown commercial building sites.
- Utilized heavy machinery including forklift, scissor lift, cradle lift and boom lifts.
- Successful in the use of rigging gear equipment and tools.
- Performed complex computation requisite for load-bearing analysis and successfully preparing loads for movement.
- Excellent site communications skills including the use of standard hand signals required to effectively communicate lifting, tilting and maneuvering or repositioning a variety of heavy equipment and machinery.
- Successful in the use of Category II, III, and IV cranes with lifting capacities to 100 tons.
- Successful in the implementation of a variety of process controls and value engineering methodologies.
Mechanic, Welder, Crane Operator
CALIFORNIA METAL WORKS
09.2002 - 01.2003
Gas Plant Servicing
GREG’S MARINE CONSTRUCTION
07.2001 - 08.2002
Welder
SMITH’S SHIPYARD
04.2001 - 06.2001
Pile Driver & Welder
MARINE TECHNOLOGIES INC.
06.2000 - 03.2001
Welder
BELTWAY IRON INC.
11.1999 - 05.2000
Load and Off-Load Operations
STEUART PETROLEUM
11.1988 - 02.1995
Education
Advanced Welding -
COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Charles County, MDSkills
- SYSTEMS INSTALLATION & MAINTENANCE
- TEAM PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT
- SYSTEMS MECHANIC
- VALUE ENGINEERING
- QUALITY ASSURANCES & INSPECTIONS
- FACILITIES & EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE
- GENERAL TRADE SKILLS
- PARTS PROCUREMENT
- EQUIPMENT & TOOL MANAGEMENT
- REPORTING & DOCUMENTATION
- DIAGNOSTICS & REPAIRS
- RIGGER & WELDER
- COMPONENT FABRICATION
- TEAM SAFETY TRAINING
- OSHA, EPA & SAFETY COMPLIANCE
Certification
- Completed Cable Fabrication Training/Cableway Training
- Certified Cable Technician
- Welding Certificate
- Marine Boat Repair
- OSHA/EPA Certified
Timeline
Project Task Supervisor
General Dynamics IT
04.2024 - 08.2025
1st Class Mechanic
L3 Harris
03.2021 - 03.2024
Installation Technician III
PRISM MARITIME
02.2019 - 02.2021
Senior Maintenance Technician
GENERAL DYNAMICS
02.2018 - 02.2019
Engineering Technician / Welder II
BAE SYSTEMS INC.
01.2004 - 01.2017
Rigger
CRANE SERVICES COMPANY INC.
01.2003 - 01.2004
Mechanic, Welder, Crane Operator
CALIFORNIA METAL WORKS
09.2002 - 01.2003
Gas Plant Servicing
GREG’S MARINE CONSTRUCTION
07.2001 - 08.2002
Welder
SMITH’S SHIPYARD
04.2001 - 06.2001
Pile Driver & Welder
MARINE TECHNOLOGIES INC.
06.2000 - 03.2001
Welder
BELTWAY IRON INC.
11.1999 - 05.2000
Welder
Freelance Welder – Construction Sites
01.1996 - 11.2007
Load and Off-Load Operations
STEUART PETROLEUM
11.1988 - 02.1995
Advanced Welding -
COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Productivity Tools
Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, strong internet abilities.
Secret Clearance
Secret Clearance (2029)