Sumudu (Sam) Wijekoon
Aerospace Engineer
Los Angeles,CA
Summary
Resourceful Manufacturing Engineer with 7 years of aerospace manufacturing experience. Trained in leadership and design with thorough knowledge of production floor operations. Successful at cultivating relationships with fellow associates, vendors and clients. Determined leader eager to leverage knowledge in engineering principles and concepts. Skilled in implementing manufacturing processes, developing production systems and analyzing product designs. Smart and dedicated to proven cost-saving initiatives and process improvements.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Manufacturing Engineer
Boeing - Defense, Space & Security
El Segundo, CA
03.2023 - Current
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Worked well in a team setting, different spacecraft projects (IPA Lab, O3b, ViaSat) providing support and guidance.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
- Strengthened communication skills through regular interactions with others.
- Adaptable and proficient in learning new concepts quickly and efficiently.
- Worked flexible hours across night, weekend and holiday shifts.
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships with fellow technicians, engineers and quality.
- Cultivated interpersonal skills by building positive relationships with others.
Project Manager
U.S. Navy - Dept. Of Defense
Cherry Point, NC
03.2021 - 11.2022
- Conduct initial on-site meeting with customer to identify problem, urgency, priority, cost, and schedule
- Scope project with the in-house design team and go over details of the project with the team
- Complete initial MS project 'Design Construction Schedule' while motivating fellow employees in meeting project deadlines
- Developed and initiated projects, managed costs, and monitored performance
- Reined in project costs while meeting key milestones
- Modified and directed project plans to meet organizational needs
- Oversaw high profile projects for by planning, designing, and scheduling phases
- Drove team success through shared vision and recognition of quality performance
- Orchestrated projects within strict timeframes and budget constraints by solving complex problems and working closely with senior leaders
- Identified, reviewed, and applied policies and procedures
- Identified plans and resources required to meet project goals and objectives
- Managed projects from procurement to commission
- Obtained needed resources by strategically negotiating with stakeholders and outside suppliers
- Maintained open communication by presenting regular updates on project status to customers
- Built successful project plans covering objectives, resources and staffing to meet schedules.
Propulsion Engineer
Blue Origin
07.2020 - 04.2021
- Translate engineering intent, drawings, and configurations into fully functional hardware by developing manufacturing work instructions to technicians for easy reference during remove and replace of engine parts
- Participated in continuous improvement by generating suggestions, engaging in problem-solving activities to support teamwork
- Devoted special emphasis to punctuality and worked to maintain outstanding attendance record, consistently arriving to work ready to start immediately
- Quickly learned new skills and applied them to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity
- Offered friendly and efficient service to technicians, handled challenging situations
- Resolved problems, improved operations, and provided exceptional service.
Manufacturing Engineer
Northrop Grumman Space Systems
07.2019 - 07.2020
- In charge of building Ground Support Equipment (GSE), a deliverable off-loader with a team of six technicians for the customer, for testing of the Seraphim Solar Panel program
- Produce weekly milestones until the end of the program for the technicians to follow, to meet the Off-loader program deadline and was able to meet the deadline a week earlier
- Stayed within budget of the Off-loader program saving the company $25,000
- Answered technician questions and interpret drawings, and under supervision, technicians assembled the off loader without any quality issues or having to re-work any of the assemblies
- Conducted proof-load testing to make sure that the off-loader is meeting load requirements
- Served as technical liaison between customer, manufacturing, and quality assurance to resolve technical and quality issues.
Manufacturing Specialist
Space Exploration Technologies Corp
Hawthorne, CA
03.2018 - 07.2019
- Knowledge of cable harnessing, wiring diagrams, layout drawings, mechanical drawings, GD&T, Schematics, and engineering drawings
- Accurately and closely followed assembly procedures and work instructions to avoid any manufacturing delays and save re-work time
- Evaluated the product life cycle of, Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessels (COPVs) and Domes, to make sure they are within regulation and quality standards, and safe to re-use for each flight
- Validated and ensured planning documents are maintained throughout the manufacturing cycle
- Coordinated with manufacturing team, internally and externally, for changes on manufacturing sequences, and updated planning accordingly
- Processed the necessary documentation to complete job assignments and resolve discrepancies, to expedite the flow of materials and fabrication
- Worked closely with development and design engineers, internal machine shop, and external vendors, to make parts that are designed for manufacturability
- Worked closely with responsible engineers to refine and simplify designs for manufacturing
- Liaison between production, quality, and design engineering for complex problem solving and solutions
- Avoided any delays in manufacturing by making sure there is enough raw materials on the floor for the technicians to work on avoiding any delays.
Manufacturing Engineer
PB Fasteners
03.2017 - 03.2018
- Responsible for assisting in managing the qualification, production, and on-time delivery of bolts, nuts, and fuse pins, used as flight critical components for Aerospace structures
- Using technical knowledge and Microsoft Excel systems, accurately calculated cost of manufacturing aerospace standard bolts, nuts, and fuse pins, for cost proposals increasing company sales by over $150k
- Successfully conducted a cost analysis project to figure out the most economical way to create washer pads on bolts and fuse pins saving company over $100k per year in labor, material, and tooling costs
- Participated in weekly Material Review Committee meetings to determine root cause, for issues that arise in manufacturing, while implementing root cause corrective actions
- Assisted with a handful of corrective action reports: writing reports and setting up preventative action implementation, which in turn, helped the company in reducing the manufacturing cost
- Worked as a liaison between the customers and the floor production team and frequently attended to visiting customers answering their questions regarding the products
- Gained through knowledge of different metals with different grades, such as Inconel, aluminum, and titanium used heavily in the manufacturing plant
- Supported production and management to meet company quality standards in compliance with AS9100 and ISO 9001 while performing root cause analysis.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Aerospace Engineering
California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA12.2016
Skills
- Project planning and development
- Lean manufacturing and design
- Advanced problem solving
- Strategic planning
- Testing
- Team Bonding
- Staff Management
- Performance Evaluations
- Project Management
- Software
- AUTOCAD
- SOLIDWORKS
- WINDCHILL
- Process Improvement
- Manufacturing Processes
- Waste Reduction
- Production Monitoring
- Quality Control
- Continuous Improvement
- Lean Manufacturing
- Inventory Control
- Root Cause Analysis
- Facility Layout
- Production Planning
- Workspace Organization
- Interpersonal Relationships
- Flexible Schedule
- Cost Reduction
- Decision-Making
- Attention to Detail
Timeline
Manufacturing Engineer
Boeing - Defense, Space & Security
03.2023 - Current
Project Manager
U.S. Navy - Dept. Of Defense
03.2021 - 11.2022
Propulsion Engineer
Blue Origin
07.2020 - 04.2021
Manufacturing Engineer
Northrop Grumman Space Systems
07.2019 - 07.2020
Manufacturing Specialist
Space Exploration Technologies Corp
03.2018 - 07.2019
Manufacturing Engineer
PB Fasteners
03.2017 - 03.2018
Bachelor of Science - Aerospace Engineering
California State University - Long Beach
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