Richard Burgess

Skills

• Turbine Components Corporation (Arconic)
  Jan 2014 - Present
  ENGINEERING & SUPPORT SERVICES MANAGER

  Originally hired as a Controls Engineer, I quickly expanded into a broader plant leadership role overseeing engineering support services, automation, maintenance coordination, facilities support, IT infrastructure, contractor management, and capital project execution for a 70-person aerospace manufacturing facility generating over $2 million in monthly revenue.

  As the primary engineering and technical support resource for the facility, I was responsible for designing, procuring, installing, and commissioning new control systems while also managing the operational infrastructure required to keep production running. This included labor resource planning, contractor coordination, capital budgeting, maintenance strategy, facility improvements, and continuous improvement of plant engineering practices.

  I leveraged a broad technical background spanning industrial automation, software development, networking, databases, and manufacturing systems to improve operational visibility and efficiency. I developed the facility's first internal production data platform, integrating manufacturing, inventory, and operational information into web-based dashboards providing near real-time business intelligence.

  In addition to engineering responsibilities, I served as a leader for key Environmental Health & Safety programs, including Contractor Safety and Electrical Safety. I revitalized these programs, improving assessment performance from fair to consistently good or excellent, while developing standardized processes and documentation systems that enabled sustainable program ownership.

  A major focus of my role was improving machine safety and reliability through the implementation of modern control safety standards. I championed the adoption of safety-rated control architectures, standardizing equipment designs around Category 3 and SIL-rated safety systems to improve protection of employees and contractors while increasing equipment reliability.

  Selected Accomplishments:

  Led engineering, controls, and infrastructure projects supporting aerospace manufacturing operations.

  Managed installation and commissioning of a new $1M vacuum furnace system.

  Restored plant-wide fire alarm functionality and improved facility safety systems.

  Replaced main electrical switchgear in two buildings with minimal production disruption.

  Replaced critical compressed air infrastructure without production downtime.

  Designed, programmed, built, and commissioned multiple custom automation systems, including:

  CNC blending machine

  Thread chasing machine prototype

  Vision inspection systems

  Automated inspection stations integrated with plant databases

  Drying oven control systems

  Water wash cell automation

  Integrated PLC, HMI, database, and web technologies to improve manufacturing data visibility.

  Restored and modernized plant communication systems, including PA and shift change notification systems.

  Implemented redundant control strategies for critical furnace and cooling systems.

  Upgraded crane systems with modern VFD-based controls.

• I2S, LLC
  Apr 2005 - Aug 2013
  SENIOR ELECTRICAL PROJECT ENGINEER

  As a Senior Electrical Project Engineer, I was responsible for the electrical design, integration, and execution of large-scale industrial hot and cold rolling mill systems and their associated automation platforms. My role covered the full project lifecycle, from sales support and system design through procurement, installation planning, commissioning, and customer acceptance.

  I designed and integrated complex electrical and control systems incorporating high-power motor drives ranging from fractional horsepower applications to multi-thousand horsepower systems, PLC-based automation, SCADA platforms, industrial networks, HMIs, and distributed computer control architectures. Projects regularly involved systems with thousands of I/O points and coordination across engineering disciplines, suppliers, contractors, customers, and internal manufacturing teams.

  Beyond project execution, I actively drove engineering improvements by developing standardized electrical designs, control architectures, and component selections to improve system reliability, maintainability, and safety. I helped implement modern machine safety practices, including Category 3/4 safety circuits and safety-rated PLC solutions across major rolling mill projects.

  Key accomplishments and responsibilities included:

  Led electrical engineering efforts for major industrial cold rolling mill projects, managing systems from initial concept through final commissioning.

  Designed and specified electrical systems and components involving multi-million-dollar equipment investments.

  Developed Siemens, Allen-Bradley, ABB, and GE-based automation and control systems.

  Designed complex industrial networks integrating PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems, and multiple computer platforms.

  Managed technical coordination between customers, vendors, subcontractors, manufacturing teams, and internal engineering groups.

  Supported quoting and project planning by providing technical expertise during the sales process.

  Contributed to research and development efforts for new industrial products and automation solutions.

  Assisted with the development of a flagship gamma gauge measurement system used for precision metal thickness control in rolling applications.

  Developed Windows-based software solutions to manage communication between industrial devices and control systems.

  Traveled internationally for installation, commissioning, troubleshooting, and customer support, independently managing critical technical and business decisions.

  Improved engineering workflows through ERP process improvements, job-costing enhancements, automation of repetitive tasks, and development of standardized engineering practices.

  Delivered process improvements that reduced engineering effort, improved consistency, and generated significant cost savings.

• Lasercut, Inc
  Jun 2000 - Aug 2003
  FIELD SERVICE ENGINEER → PRODUCTION MANAGER

  Joined Lasercut as a Field Service Engineer supporting the manufacturing, installation, and service of industrial CNC laser cutting systems. Quickly advanced from machine assembly and field support into a leadership role overseeing production operations, team development, and delivery of complex capital equipment.

  Progressed from hands-on mechanical and electrical assembly into independent field service responsibilities, traveling throughout the United States and Canada to install, commission, troubleshoot, and maintain industrial laser cutting systems.

  Led production operations for CNC laser cutting machines valued between $300K–$600K, overseeing complete machine build processes from fabrication and painting through final assembly, electrical wiring, controls integration, testing, and customer acceptance.

  Managed and trained production personnel while coordinating schedules, inventory requirements, quality control activities, and resource allocation to meet customer delivery commitments.

  Coordinated cross-functional activities between engineering, purchasing, fabrication, and production teams to resolve issues and maintain manufacturing schedules.

  Developed broad expertise across industrial automation systems, including mechanical systems, electrical controls, machine operation, troubleshooting, and field commissioning.

• The Morgan School
  Sep 1996 - Jun 2000

  Studies included computer sciences (including C++, Visual C++, and Visual Basic) as well as mechanical and electrical technology studies including automotive, marine construction, graphics design and electrical system repair and diagnostics.