Work Experience

V801 Vehicle Integration role for the Interiors team (VHE2), supporting various engineering issues and reporting to management.

Developed numerous tracking documents to support the team and optimised ongoing workflows to enhance day to day operations. Helped with cross VHE metrics reporting in a developed Excel document supported with VBA scripts and with data architecture planning for a new multi-program Power BI report.

Supported teams in meeting CAD MCI completeness targets for UXV0 and then took on the role of tracking Recycling and Renewables content in ensuring suppliers met Ford's 20% renewables target for UXV1.

Developed a solution for extracting folders and files from SharePoint using VBA to extract the data into CSV and then a Python script to tag the files into categories using fuzzy matching ready for a searchable Power BI report, allowing the combination of multiple sites into one searchable location.

In early 2024, I made the decision to break from work and travel the world with my wife and was given a sabbatical for a year to head off and explore from August 2024 to September 2025. It was a simply unforgettable experience, travelling over 82,000 kilometers and visiting 19 countries across 4 continents.

Initially started the role by developing a VBA script to loop through the created data list and generate hyperlinked and navigable PowerPoint slides showing workflows, whilst simultaneously generating Visio workflows and an exported PDF for mapping out a full Automotive workflow process for the development of a vehicle for an overseas customer.

From the work done and also through various other company influences, a new internal GPMO (Global Program Management Office) team was formed of which I was involved. This led to the development of several tools, under the GPMO domain, utilising technologies such as Power Apps, Power BI and Excel to create a start-to-end process for a project lifecycle;
- Project Pipeline
- Pipeline App User Report
- Financial Tracker
- Financial Tracker Lite
- Cost Model
- Cost Model Translation File
- Project Finance Data Manager
- Project Finance Tracking Report
- Group Sales Report
- GPMO Reports
- GPMO Documentation Site

The role dropped me fully into a Product Management role, where I established the team's Agile governance by implementing a Scrum process and by using Azure DevOps for all of the tools being developed. I managed sprints, whilst simultaneously supporting development of the tools and setting up the GPMO Documentation Site to ensure a high standard of documentation.

We ultimately delivered a fully synced system of tools that helped the company track and progress their project quotation and reporting process, bringing together the various regions of the company into a centrally aligned system, reducing manual error in their systems and saving hours of manual data collation.

Following a couple of months of 1:1 mentoring with a senior developer, I developed an MVP dashboard tool, built using Next.js, Nest.JS, a Neo4j database and a Flask API to call a Python algorithm. The tool collected inputs from a user, calculates several optimal DVP plans and then presents the options in several ways to enable further user decisions.

The tool was used as a demonstration of how the team could solve automotive problems using a mathematical approach called multiple-objective optimisation via an algorithm written in Python which the tool passes and receives data to/from via a REST Flask API.

This tool served as gathering internal company buy-in, successfully demonstrating how technical automation could replace manual planning cycles and reduce lead times for testing strategies.

Joined an internal team in developing an automotive scalable development plan (SDP), initially defining a process in Excel, and then developing this into a web-based tool. I was responsible for collecting the data by interviewing experts within and outside the company and collating the data into a format that we could use algorithms to automatically develop a tailored timing plan for a customer.

Responsibilities also include supporting decisions on the architecture of the tool, shaping the UI/UX and hiring and managing the offshore developers to ensure smooth delivery. I helped architect the database structure, storing our data in an SQL database managed by me and then populating a Neo4j graph for running the algorithms through.

This was my first step into Product Management, where I managed feature requests and guided the developers through implementing improvements for users, ensuring a continuous feedback loop between end users and the development team.

The role allowed me to begin writing code in a number of languages, from writing test files in Java, fixing C++ files, creating Cypher queries on our graph database, to developing a basic React app for providing support information to consultants using the tool.

Lead engineer for the Body Closures function group for a low production build taking designs from concept to production. I also owned systems within Body Exteriors and Interiors and designed an Excel BoM management tool on SharePoint to track team costs, weights and timings for all systems. Design proposals presented and justified to management to confirm system functionality for financial sign off. Robust resolution plans developed where required to meet extended targets.

I also supported guiding two graduates starting with our company with their initial development in Engineering.

Development of lightweight rear closure door hinges to replace a high-volume multinational OEM's overly complex design for a weight (2kg) and cost saving (lifetime saving of over $8m). Steel cast hinges incorporated with a new check arm design that became common across all commercial vehicle variants. Durability action to D-Pillar structure to tackle ongoing production issues.

Cross-continental implementation in three production plants achieved through managing multiple supply chain costs and timing. Continued interaction with suppliers to find cost down opportunities, functionally test the designed system and improve assembly processes for enhanced part quality.

Ongoing progression of other cost saving changes, taking ideas from concept to implementation across V362 & V363.

After re-locating to the customer's location, I assumed a larger number of responsibilities including the delivery of an engineered automotive solution for a new super series car dihedral door system. I worked directly with several suppliers, managing budgets and delivery plans from development phase into prototype build.

A range of responsibilities for individual components and assemblies including the delivery of engineered automotive solutions from development phase into prototype build. Creation and development of DFMEA's, Tech Specs and DVPs for the systems worked on. Direct interaction with suppliers, working through concept development and feasibility to visiting the manufacturing lines to ensuring timing was maintained, utilising Microsoft Project and looking for cost down opportunities.

Gained experience working with a range of materials and manufacturing techniques including injection moulding plastics, compression moulding composites (SMC) and die casting metals.

Involvement in prototype build phase, learning both rapid production and manufacturing processes with hands on build experience during launch.

Internally I have been responsible for the creation of numerous project tracking documents for the organisation and a range of customers through Excel and VBA coding. Projects included timesheet & holiday management, cost & resource estimating, warehouse storage tracking and a technical documentation library.

I began at RLE in a graduate support role for a high-end low volume sports car manufacturer, familiarising myself with the processes of OEMs and developing project planning tools for mapping project resources using Excel and VBA macros.

For the final few months at Opus 2 I was involved in software bug testing, reviewing the applications functionality from both a users and admins perspectives and raising bug report documentation. Developed internal processes to reduce time spent on repetitive workflows.

Part time role, responsible for uploading and carefully ensuring legal documents were available for clients in a cloud-based structured environment and delivered within strict deadlines. The time I spent here taught me how to correctly conduct myself in a formal office-based job, deal with client requests and proactively help improve new working processes.