ZACHARY RITHNER
Wellington,CO
Summary
Senior Propulsion Technician with talent for intricate assembly and testing of unique products, both space and airplane focused. Strong knowledge of compressible fluid flow and prototype testing. Communicative and team-oriented with proficiency in engineering applications, mechanical assembly and small project leadership. Proven history of fostering communication and responsibility to meet team, individual and management objectives. Able to adapt and overcome challenges that arise from demanding environments. Strong ability to work with others while also being individually motivated/driven to accomplish personal tasks. Proven track record of solving unique problems. Able to design and produce detailed drawings to produce intricate parts and fixtures. Personally, a highly motivated and self-managing individual. Curious and quick study on the job; will ask detailed questions if unable to ascertain how to solve a problem to help facilitate growth. Enjoys being challenged and will always ask for the opportunity to grow personally and professionally.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Propulsion Technician
Ursa Major Technologies
11.2021 - 06.2023
- Assembly of complex multipart ignition system for production and developmental rocket engines.
- Worked with engineers to develop and update work instructions for assembly of new developmental hardware.
- Diagnosed intricate ignition systems and determined appropriate repairs needed to correct any issues.
- Developed acceptance testing process of igniter systems and wrote documentation of the operation of the test stands.
- Designed, and built ignition test stands that required precision tube routing and electrical work for data collection.
- Performed precise on engine repairs and diagnosis of problems to ignition systems at company test stands and customer test facilities.
Mechanical Development Technician III
Woodward, Inc
04.2014 - 11.2021
- Work with a dedicated team to test and release hardware for 5 new GE aircraft turbines (GENX, LEAP, Passport 20, T901, and GE9x) through rigorous conformance and spec compliance certification testing
- Assist test and project engineering with writing and editing test plans for room temperature contamination testing that involved 4 separate contaminant systems
- Lead small team in design and build of intricate test stands and equipment for precision flow, room temperature contamination, high-temperature flow, and high-pressure cyclic tests
- Train new technicians on product testing and operations on multiple test systems
- Work with product engineering to move hardware from the development phase to the production phase by correlating development testing to shorter, less complicated test procedures to ensure the quality of hardware continues to meet and surpass required specs
- Assembled and disassembled intricate actuators for repair and modification.
- Lead small team on inspection and testing of machinery, equipment, and component parts to identify defects, diagnose malfunctions and facilitate repairs
- Collaborate with others to discuss and implement new continuous improvement opportunities
- Use mills and lathes to produce test fixtures and equipment to facilitate prototype testing.
Mechanical Development Technician II
Woodward, Inc
06.2019 - 09.2019
- Cleaned, repaired and installed hydraulic equipment, such as gaskets and internal and external valves on high pressure Skydrol systems
- Troubleshot mechanical and electrical problems for test engineering to get 35-year-old test systems functional for return parts from the field
- Designed a high-volume test fixture capable of testing multiple product lines at once at various test conditions to consolidate 4 test systems into 1
- Worked in a production environment with test engineering to develop and streamline production lines to meet customer requirements for on time deliveries.
Chemistry Lab Technician
Colorado State University
05.2010 - 04.2014
- Documented test results, compiled data and reported on findings to research scientist for long term research projects
- Ran SEM and XPS instruments to collect data on composition of steel products and provide detailed imagery of surfaces
- Filled NMR machines with liquid nitrogen and liquid helium to maintain correct temperatures for the superconductive materials in the magnets.
Mechanical Engineering Intern
Woodward, Inc
05.2013 - 09.2013
- Wrote engineering documentation, including new product review, green cast inspections and volumetric analysis to support platform engineering work.
Education
Some College (No Degree) - Mechanical Engineering
High School Diploma -
05.2010
Skills
- Microsoft Office Suite: Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio, Outlook, and Teams
- CAD Software: Solidworks, CREO/Windchill, AutoCAD
- Programming Software: LabView, GAP, Veristand, Control Assistant, and NIMax
- Crane and lift certified
- High mechanical aptitude
- Ability to work from drawings or models for intricate assemblies
- Wiring and harness work
Timeline
Senior Propulsion Technician - Ursa Major Technologies
11.2021 - 06.2023
Mechanical Development Technician II - Woodward, Inc
06.2019 - 09.2019
Mechanical Development Technician III - Woodward, Inc
04.2014 - 11.2021
Mechanical Engineering Intern - Woodward, Inc
05.2013 - 09.2013
Chemistry Lab Technician - Colorado State University
05.2010 - 04.2014
Colorado State University - Some College (No Degree), Mechanical Engineering
Rocky Mountain High School - High School Diploma,
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