417.421.4256

linkedin.com/in/chris-coburn-78795b5  www.coburnsolutionsllc.com

Pragmatic problem solver and Engineering Manager with extensive experience in systems engineering, product, supplier, and business development. Thrives under challenging environments while providing results not just on time but with the best possible stakeholder outcomes in a cross-functional, cross-enterprise environment. A strong manager and team player that spots, develops and mentors talent to build aligned, high performance, and empowered teams.

• Technology commercialization and business development
• Customer needs evaluation
• Secondary market research
• SBIR/STTR Technical and Business Assistance services
• Multiple Product Line Strategic and Portfolio Management
• Cost, price, and profitability analysis
• Team structure, building, hiring, mentoring, engagement, empowerment, DEI
• Remanufacturing subject matter expert
• Domestic and International Supplier Relationship Building
• Long-term personnel and equipment resource planning
• Strategic product line management planning
• 25+ years with complex mechanical systems: theory, design, testing, application, subsystems, components
• Stakeholder relations
• Budget and resource planning
• Training content development and class instruction

Coburn Pragmatic Solutions, Nixa, MO Jan 2022 - present

President 

• Larta Institute Department of Energy Small Business Innovation Research program with Technical and Business Assistance – Lead Primary Advisor
• Evaluate technology, potential, and gaps for technology commercialization.
• Contribute and edit commercialization plans; review each project's proforma and return on investment.
• Market and technology research in current state-of-the-art, including projects on ammonia, hydrogen, waste heat recovery, carbon capture, water treatment, Li-Ion batteries, power electronics, etc.

Missouri State University efactory Mentorship Program Volunteer    April 2023 - present

• Mentor Missouri companies seeking entrepreneurial and technical guidance.
• Product Engineering Manager, John Deere, Springfield, MO 2016 – Sep 2022

As Part of the Product Line Management Teams:

• Continuous improvement of more than $7,000,000 in cost savings for the Deere remanufacturing business current year over year. 
• Reduced costs on outsourced products by over $4,000,000 through supplier development, supplier agreement renegotiation, and quality improvement in 2021.
• Strategic Project planning and execution
• Fifteen direct reports for remanufactured engines and components. $3,000,000 department budget.
• Lead teams comprised of Product Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, Supply Management, Material Control, and Accounting

Represented Reman to influence two engine development programs ($300M+ program)

Introduced reman concepts and asserted Reman business and technical and business concerns

Provided innovative component reclaim solutions and validated the technology.

Integrated Design for Remanufacturing, reverse engineering, and design iteration tracking into a large, complex organization.

Managed customer needs to assure customer requirements were met by the final specification.

Progressive responsibilities from Liaison Engineer to Engine Works to CI Sr. Engineer for coolant and lube engine sub-systems. 

· Project engineer for engine tests for diesel engines

Combustion misfire · Low-temperature testing · Auxiliary drive load testing

· Coolant and oil pump testing · Fatigue testing · Field application testing

· Performed warranty and failed parts analysis. · Lead warranty part analysis and assigned tasks required to begin corrective actions.

· 66 closed corrective action requests, including 25 classified as critical impact to the customer.

HYUNDAI MOTOR MANUFACTURING OF ALABAMA, Montgomery, AL  2003 - 2007

Engine Quality Test Engineer 

· Greenfield start-up from construction to 1000 vehicles per day. 

· Oversight of design, installation, commissioning, and operation of three quality control engine test cells and component laboratory, including dynamometer and driveline selection, instrumentation, intake and exhaust systems, mounting, sound, and environmental control, engine diagnostics, data acquisition and post-processing.

  Master of Engineering Management, University of Wisconsin

BSET, Old Dominion University, Mechanical Engineering, Thermodynamics Focus

AAS, State University of NY at Alfred, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Internal Combustion Engine focus 

Systems Engineering Certificate – Cal Tech