Richard (RJ) Penpek Jr.
Process Engineer
Smyrna,Tennessee
Summary
Lead Process Engineer with 10 years of experience in a manufacturing environment and proficiency in machine design, project management, and process improvement. Self-motivated employee committed to providing high quality, robust, and cost effective products and services.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Lead Process Engineer
Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations
LaVergne, TN
08.2022 - Current
- Championed manufacturing development of new products by designing components to satisfy technical requirements and leading cross-functional communication to ensure products are launched on schedule.
- Championed plant implementation of new tire technology, requiring collaboration with sales, technical center, production, QA, engineering, and IT teams to successfully deliver robust and reliable process/product on schedule.
- Created local standards, procedures, and training plans for new hires and cross departmental training as well as mentored new hires and co-ops.
- Analyzed data trends of quality concerns, identified root causes, and organized trials to resolve issues while measuring success through KPIs, reducing departmental scrap rate by 38% from 2023 to 2024
Senior Process Engineer
Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations
LaVergne, TN
01.2021 - 08.2022
- Monitor and implement improvements to shapes and positions of green tire components to ensure quality of 110 unique products.
- Lead investigation on tire lubrication system abnormal event that generated 350 abnormal tires. Identified root cause and lead cross functional meeting to develop IIP with countermeasures to root cause.
- Drive action and innovation within cross functional team by providing technical direction based on data analysis.
- Provide technical assistance and training to production and maintenance teams when issues or knowledge gaps surface.
- Establish project schedules and monitor tasks to meet milestones during each phase.
Mechanical Engineer I, Mechanical Engineer II
Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations
LaVergne, TN
06.2015 - 01.2021
- Managed $500,000 to $1,000,000 in capital projects annually while maintaining maintenance and kaizen support.
- Projects included mechanical installation of robot cells, material handling systems, conveyors, rewind stations, vision systems, power transmission component upgrades, and unique solutions to aid in maintenance or production tasks.
- Lead multi-year, $2M controls upgrade on critical machine and managed team of millwrights, electricians, mechanical designers, and programmers to design, cost, purchase, fabricate, and install all equipment.
- Coordinated $350,000 controls upgrade on bias cutter machine with electrical engineer that improved daily machine output by 15% and reduced material variation from 5 mm to 2 mm.
- Closely worked with cross functional team consisting of mechanical and electrical engineer, process engineer, maintenance supervisor, production manager, and quality representative to prioritize projects and drive improvements.
- Communicated with various general contractors, integrators, machine shops, and specialty vendors to formulate solutions, establish timelines, and completed projects within budget and schedule.
Mechanical Engineering Co-op
Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations
LaVergne, TN
06.2013 - 08.2014
- Successfully managed and implemented $75,000 project to upgrade end effectors and lubricant pumps in 3 Fanuc robot cells.
- Designed, coordinated, and implemented machine modifications that improved safety, quality, cycle time and machine reliability.
- Gained valuable troubleshooting experience with pneumatic, hydraulic, robotic, mechanical and control systems.
- Converted all LOTO procedures over to Brady Lockout Pro software.
Education
MBA -
Tennessee Technological University
Cookeville, TN 05.2001 -
Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering
Tennessee Technological University
Cookeville, TN 05.2001 -
Skills
Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, graphical representations, data analysis)
undefinedTimeline
Lead Process Engineer
Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations
08.2022 - Current
Senior Process Engineer
Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations
01.2021 - 08.2022
Mechanical Engineer I, Mechanical Engineer II
Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations
06.2015 - 01.2021
Mechanical Engineering Co-op
Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations
06.2013 - 08.2014
MBA -
Tennessee Technological University
05.2001 -
Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering
Tennessee Technological University
05.2001 -
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