Steve Rikalo
Reno,NV
Summary
Seasoned Mechanical Engineer with 15+ years of experience in the aerospace and defense industries. A leader of cross functional teams with extensive practice in project management, new product development, and hands on production support.
Active TS/SCI security clearance.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Mechanical Engineer
Sierra Nevada Corporation
01.2019 - Current
- Leading a cross-functional team of engineers and engineering technicians to provide system definition, mechanical design and production of highly specialized electronics systems
- Strategically aligned engineering team to remove systemic bottlenecks and increase team effectiveness through creation of Team Lead roles and delegated ownership
- Oversaw and led mechanical design and system integration of five new products in 2023, and prepared for IDIQ production in 2024
- Manage product design from initial requirements to prototype delivery and through full scale production
- Regularly interface with program management to keep development projects on schedule and within budget
- Manage creation and release of design documentation through PLM tools and for distribution to program customers
- Direct design validation of new product(s) through MIL-STD-810 testing
- Manage Quick Reaction Capabilities (QRC) for internal and external customers to deliver rapid prototypes utilizing CNC Mill and 3D printing
Mechanical Engineer III
Sierra Nevada Corporation
05.2016 - 12.2019
- Lead a small cross functional team to develop a multi-sensor calibration/alignment system for a sensor aided landing system (DVEPS program)
- Managed $1M+ budget to take product from concept through initial production and delivery
- Developed engineering solutions for complex thermal management and kinematic challenges within electronics chassis, flexible PCBs, RF enclosures, and radomes
- Designed components to mount radar, lidar, IR cameras, and electronics chassis on MH-60 and CH-47 rotor-wing platforms
- Directly supported customer flight test events to test and demonstrate DVEPS system capabilities
Product Review Engineer III
The Boeing Company - 787 + 777 Wing Centers
03.2011 - 05.2016
- Carried MRB authority to provide engineering dispositions of non-conforming airframe and flight hardware
- Coordinated with FAA Designated Engineering Representatives (DER) to ensure repair dispositions comply with applicable CFRs. General familiarity with 14 CFR 25
- Worked with metallic and CFRP airframe materials and joints, wing and fuselage integration, one up drilling, and ignition mitigation for CFRP fuel cells (14 CFR 25.954 & 25.981)
- Represented 787 BCA Engineering at airline customer meetings, providing technical data concerning repairs
Industrial Engineer I/II
The Boeing Company - 787 Final Assembly + Delivery
02.2008 - 03.2011
- Developed program schedules, proposals, risk mitigation plans, and efficiency forecasts for 787 production
- Lead a team of 5 engineers to develop standardized production plans integrating large scale structural design changes into existing production schedules
- Served on multi-disciplined Engineering teams reviewing structural design changes, including the 787 Side of Body modification, and conducted production risk assessments to mitigate negative impact to production schedule
Engineering Intern
NV Energy - Gas Engineering Services
03.2006 - 12.2008
- Modeled gas distribution systems to understand their performance under actual and assumed peak load scenarios using Stoner modeling software
- Assisted staff engineers with managing construction for gas main line and service line replacement efforts
- Used AutoCad Map to represent locations of gas main lines, service lines and critical valves throughout the Truckee Meadows service area
- Supported cost estimates for projects and analyzed historical expenses to drive improved budget forecasting
Education
Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering
University of Nevada
Reno, NV12.2007
Timeline
Senior Mechanical Engineer
Sierra Nevada Corporation
01.2019 - Current
Mechanical Engineer III
Sierra Nevada Corporation
05.2016 - 12.2019
Product Review Engineer III
The Boeing Company - 787 + 777 Wing Centers
03.2011 - 05.2016
Industrial Engineer I/II
The Boeing Company - 787 Final Assembly + Delivery
02.2008 - 03.2011
Engineering Intern
NV Energy - Gas Engineering Services
03.2006 - 12.2008
Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering
University of Nevada
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