Robert I. Ellerman
Leonard,USA
Summary
Accomplished professional with over 39 years of experience in Tier One automotive supplier roles, specializing in the development and leadership of corporate-level launch teams. Expertise includes a wide range of components such as interior and exterior trim, seating, under-hood components, electrical connectors, and high-tolerance dimensional parts. Proven success in tooling leadership, effectively managing programs from inception to completion across various automotive OEMs, as well as Department of Defense and commercial manufacturer OEMs. A strong commitment to driving innovation and excellence within the automotive industry ensures the delivery of high-quality results that meet stringent standards.
Overview
39
39
years of professional experience
Work History
Lead Technical Engineer
Ellerman Engineering & Innovations (EEI) Leonard, MI
Leonard, MI
01.2021 - Current
- Managing, quoting, invoicing and placement in multiple mold shops of injection molds for complete builds, repairs and engineering changes while working with the OEM’s and the Tier One launch teams for the Automotive OEM’s, Department of Defense OEMs and Commercial product manufacturer OEMs.
- Broker for Production Plastic, Metal, Resin and Wax Injection Molds
President
Steenson Enterprises Auburn Hills, MI
Auburn Hills, MI
01.2021 - 03.2023
- Managing all tiers of shop & office personnel (3 direct & 4 indirect Employees), Engineering, Sales, Quoting, DFM review, Design approval, invoicing and managing all work through the company for full injection mold builds and engineering changes while working with the OEM’s and the Tier One launch teams for the Department of Defense, Automotive OEM’s and Commercial product manufacturers.
- Production Plastic, Metal, Resin and Wax Injection Molds
Lead Technical Engineer
Silver Basis Engineering Shelby Twp., MI
Shelby Twp., MI
11.2019 - 01.2021
- Overseeing the OEM tooling builds and shipment of new High-Pressure Injection Molds for tooling packages builds in China ensuring the tooling is built to customer standards with direct interactions with the OEM launch teams. Managing the shipment landing, graining, closure of any opening issues and any customer concerns before final approval and shipment into the tier one customer facilities.
- Production Tier one tooling, HPIM
Sr. Project Manager
International Automotive Components (IAC) Southfield, MI
Southfield, MI
07.2015 - 11.2019
- Tracking and managing of Automotive and large truck injection molded interior and exterior component programs and the launching of OEM programs in N.A. and Mexico while working directly with the OEM’s and IAC launch teams.
- Production Tier One Interior & Exterior trim tooling, HPIM’s
Sr. Tooling Engineer for N.A.
Kostal Kontaktte Systems Rochester Hills, MI
Rochester Hills, MI
06.2014 - 07.2015
- Tracking and managing the build and launch of new Injection Molds and Engineering changes from cradle to grave for tool builds in N.A. and Germany. Involved in establishing the company’s global tooling standard for a tier one high performance electrical connector company. Development of a N.A. tooling supply base.
- Production High Tolerance Dimensional Molds
Sr. Tooling Engineer for N.A.
Yanfeng-USA Automotive Interior Trim Systems Harrison Twp., MI
Harrison Twp., MI
10.2012 - 06.2014
- Tracking and managing tool builds and program launches with the OEM launch teams of new injection molds, mold flows, tooling standards development and all needed documentation for a new tier one startup company in North America under the Yanfeng Visteon name. Screening and interviewing of all potential new Tooling Engineers.
- Production Tier One Interior & Exterior trim tooling, HPIM
SR. Tooling Engineer
Johnson Controls Interior Manufacturing (JCIM) Plymouth, MI
Plymouth, MI
06.2006 - 10.2012
- Tracking and managing the OEM tooling programs and launch of multi-shot and single shot tooling from cradle to grave. With direct interaction with the OEM launch teams for advanced engineering for manufacturing. Inspection of production tooling to ensure company standards are adhered to before shipment into JCI and JCIM Molding facilities. Problem solving and closing of all tooling issues of new and previously launched programs. From January 2012 to October 2012, I was part of a traveling emergency plant recovery team working directly with Sr. plant management to assess plant issues, creating team action plans and executing team corrections. Commonly referred to as the JCIM Seal Team 6
- Production Tier One Single & Multi-Shot Tooling, HPIM
Polymers Business Unit Manager & Plant Manager
Advanced Muti Products Group (AMPG) Auburn Hills, MI
Auburn Hills, MI
06.2005 - 06.2006
- Management of the Molding department, Sales department, Engineering department, Injection Mold build department, Cost Estimating department and Building & Machine Maintenance department with 12 Direct employees and 135 nondirected employees. Company was formally Corver Engineering.
- Production Tier One Interior & Exterior trim tooling, HPIM
Tooling Launch Engineer
Mold Masters Company Lapeer, MI
Lapeer, MI
02.2004 - 06.2005
- Established and set up new tooling group, tracking and managing tool builds and program launches with the OEM launch teams for new interior programs for plastic injection components and assemblies, mold flows, DFMs, creating new company tooling standards and all needed tooling documentation for a new Tier One startup manufacturer in N.A.
- Production Tier One Interior & Exterior trim tooling, HPIM
Design Engineer
Wolverine Products Inc. Clinton Twp., MI
Clinton Twp., MI
06.2003 - 02.2004
- Developing all company Mold designs for internal mold build department.
- Production & Prototype HPIM
Design Manager/Owner
3d Pattern & Product Development Shelby Twp., MI
Shelby Twp., MI
01.1998 - 02.2004
- Quoting, managing work flow through 4 to 5 on site mold and product designers and final design approvals.
- Production & Prototype Injection Mold and Product Designs
Tooling Engineer
Collins & Aikman (C&A) Sterling Heights, MI
Sterling Heights, MI
01.2003 - 06.2003
- Tracking and managing the OEM tooling programs and launch of multi-shot and single shot tooling from cradle to grave. With direct interaction with the OEM launch teams for advanced engineering for manufacturing. Inspection of production tooling to ensure company standards are adhered to before shipment into C&A Molding facilities. Problem solving and closing of all tooling issues of new and previously launched programs.
- Production Tier One Interior & Exterior trim tooling, HPIM
Sr. Mold Designer & Night Shift Design Leader
Venture Industries Inc. Sterling Heights, MI
Sterling Heights, MI
07.1995 - 01.2002
- Production Tier One Interior & Exterior trim tooling, HPIM
Mold Designer, C.N.C. Programmer & CNC Machinist
3-D Polymers Troy, MI
Troy, MI
11.1994 - 07.1995
- Low Pressure Prototype Injection Molds
Mold Designer & CNC Programmer
S P Computer Services Troy, MI
Troy, MI
10.1991 - 08.1994
- Production Tier One Interior & Exterior trim tooling, HPIM
CAD/CAM Operator and CNC Programmer
Model Technologies Sterling Heights, MI
Sterling Heights, MI
10.1991 - 08.1994
- Production Tier One Interior & Exterior trim tooling, HPIM
Model & Pattern Maker/CNC Machinist
Corver Engineering & K-Barr Industries Detroit, MI
Detroit, MI
08.1987 - 10.1991
- Production Tier One Interior & Exterior trim tooling, HPIM
Education
RJG Scientific Molding
Holland, MI01.2009
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Kepner Trego
Lansing, MI01.2009
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Macomb Community College
Clinton Twp., MI01.2000
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Macomb Community College
Clinton Twp., MI01.1995
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Inspection Technology
Royal Oak, MI01.1994
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Autodesk
Novi, MI01.1993
Engineering Degree - Applied Mechanical Science
Delta Community College University Center
University Center, MI08.1987
Skills
- Managed teams of direct and indirect reports
- Board member, Society of Plastic Engineers
- Oversight of $35M to $75M plastic injection mold programs
- Skilled tooling troubleshooter
- Skilled in optimizing DFM for single and multi-shot components
- RJG Certified Master Molder
- Experience in single and multi-shot processing
- Proficient in injection molding presses from 50 to 5000 tons
- GD&T certification
Timeline
Lead Technical Engineer
Ellerman Engineering & Innovations (EEI) Leonard, MI
01.2021 - Current
President
Steenson Enterprises Auburn Hills, MI
01.2021 - 03.2023
Lead Technical Engineer
Silver Basis Engineering Shelby Twp., MI
11.2019 - 01.2021
Sr. Project Manager
International Automotive Components (IAC) Southfield, MI
07.2015 - 11.2019
Sr. Tooling Engineer for N.A.
Kostal Kontaktte Systems Rochester Hills, MI
06.2014 - 07.2015
Sr. Tooling Engineer for N.A.
Yanfeng-USA Automotive Interior Trim Systems Harrison Twp., MI
10.2012 - 06.2014
SR. Tooling Engineer
Johnson Controls Interior Manufacturing (JCIM) Plymouth, MI
06.2006 - 10.2012
Polymers Business Unit Manager & Plant Manager
Advanced Muti Products Group (AMPG) Auburn Hills, MI
06.2005 - 06.2006
Tooling Launch Engineer
Mold Masters Company Lapeer, MI
02.2004 - 06.2005
Design Engineer
Wolverine Products Inc. Clinton Twp., MI
06.2003 - 02.2004
Tooling Engineer
Collins & Aikman (C&A) Sterling Heights, MI
01.2003 - 06.2003
Design Manager/Owner
3d Pattern & Product Development Shelby Twp., MI
01.1998 - 02.2004
Sr. Mold Designer & Night Shift Design Leader
Venture Industries Inc. Sterling Heights, MI
07.1995 - 01.2002
Mold Designer, C.N.C. Programmer & CNC Machinist
3-D Polymers Troy, MI
11.1994 - 07.1995
Mold Designer & CNC Programmer
S P Computer Services Troy, MI
10.1991 - 08.1994
CAD/CAM Operator and CNC Programmer
Model Technologies Sterling Heights, MI
10.1991 - 08.1994
Model & Pattern Maker/CNC Machinist
Corver Engineering & K-Barr Industries Detroit, MI
08.1987 - 10.1991
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Kepner Trego
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Macomb Community College
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Macomb Community College
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Inspection Technology
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Autodesk
Engineering Degree - Applied Mechanical Science
Delta Community College University Center
RJG Scientific Molding