Brent A Saulic

Lead Product Development Engineer II - Industrial Designer III at Plasticade - American Louver Company
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Location
Skokie, Illinois, United States, US

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5.0

/5.0
/ Based on 7 ratings
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Anthony Michael Bird

Brent played a critical role in leading our product development team, assisted in hand-on research, procurement objectives, and facilitated coordination of industrial manufacturing equipment from international vendors. To date, he has done a wonderful job leading numerous re-designs of our product family, creating a design framework, and guiding the ultimate production of the product. He was open and flexible to taking on any tasks even if it initially did not fall in his wheelhouse, and advising executive level decision making. His ability to translate a company's vision into working solutions, balancing engineering and industrial design constraints, gives him a skillset difficult to replicate and find. It has been a pleasure to have him on our team!

Daniel Calby

Brent is a creative powerhouse. He has a diverse skill set and experience history that I saw him use very effectively in leading product development projects at Plasticade. Brent does a great job designing, researching, and defining potential options and then presenting them in a clear and actionable format. He is an asset to any product team.

LinkedIn User

Brent is a natural leader with great ability to motivate and develop others.I had the pleasure working with Brent at Hyge. He always encouraged me to develop new ideas for product development,Thanked me for my hard work, improved my SolidWorks skills and responded to my emails quickly.He was supportive, invested in my success and good at communicating.

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Experience

    • United States
    • Plastics Manufacturing
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Lead Product Development Engineer II - Industrial Designer III
      • Jul 2019 - Present

      • Researched and Designed multiple new blow molded, rubber, extrusion, and injection molded plastic products for the Traffic and Sign industry. Manage from concept through to production. Create 3D CAD designs and 2D part drawings. Develop initial product criteria, performance specifications, and validation plans. Assisted the Marketing team with Product Rendering via Keyshot. Identify opportunities for continuous improvement of existing products. • Obtain quotes, conduct tool design reviews, evaluate first shots, and make tooling modifications as necessary. Created and reviewed product Bill of material cost breakdowns. Performed FEA and other blow molded analyses relating to new product design or continuous improvement ideas. Create and evaluate design prototypes using desktop 3d Printer. • Coordinate with quality department to evaluate internal and customer quality rejects and develop/implement corrective actions. Create in-process inspection plans, fixtures, and test methods. Conduct product performance and reliability testing on new and existing parts. In-house or in collaboration with outside labs. • Specify and source purchased components. Provide regular status reports to upper level management regarding project status. Manage launch of new automated and semi-automated assembly equipment. Evaluate and improve existing automated and semi-automated assembly equipment. Design, build, and implement new jigs and fixtures • Identify cost saving process improvements and perform ROI analysis. Develop and implement operating procedures and work instructions. Assist in troubleshooting blow mold, injection, and extrusion molding processes. Identify and implement improvements of existing blow mold, injection, and extrusion tooling. Show less

    • France
    • Business Consulting and Services
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Product Development Manager
      • May 2019 - Mar 2021

      • Translated marketing requirements to technical performance requirements for 2 versions (recyclable, and non-recyclable) wet wipe containers. Develop concepts, determine feasibility and manufacturability with vendors, had designs fully quoted by overseas suppliers, and facilitated shipment of secondary production equipment. • Led prototype creation with 3d printer, refined innovative concepts with iterative testing. Manage and develop weekly task list for subordinates and interns via Slack and AirTable. Develop final design and analyze for performance and suitability. Determine product architecture including part breakout, material selection, and Bill of Materials. Responsible for form, fit, and function of design and cost breakdowns. • Owned all aspects of 2D and 3D CAD, design drawings, and file management structure. Technical documentation of key project decisions and design changes. Regular reporting to the cross-functional leadership team on key project indicators - schedule, budget, and quality and product attributes. Show less

    • Belgium
    • Business Consulting and Services
    • Product Development Engineer I - Industrial Designer II
      • Nov 2018 - May 2019

      • Conducted intensive market research for the portable foaming and sanitation equipment industry. Synthesized criteria for a new platform product offering by interfacing with sales, design, testing lab, engineering, and customer service departments. • Performed intensive testing of new compressor systems and their performance characteristics, for misting, foaming, and spraying applications. Organized testing information into graphs and charts for making procurement decisions. Built testing setup and performed over 300 tests on pneumatic/electric system build variations. Built wood prototypes to determine ergonomics and component space feasibility. • Initiated sub-assembly cost reduction ideas, developed production work instructions, and designed fixtures for production problem resolution. Produced the first outline for a formal engineering design standards manual. • Developed new sales product concept renderings and functional prototypes, to determined feasibility for manufacturing, tooling, and customer requirements. Sketched preliminary 2d design concepts and 3d CAD Concepts. Updated existing part drawings per an informal ECR process. Operated 3d printer to produce new prototype parts and fixture components. Show less

    • Industrial Designer I - Product Development Engineer I - R&D Engineer
      • Jul 2013 - Nov 2018

      • Responsible for both initial concept sketches and engineering feasibility. Developed the features, aesthetic style, ergonomics, and functionality of a wide range of large scale consumer products sold at Walmart, Dicks Sporting Goods, and Amazon. • Slashed product development time by developing design sketches and generating 3D CAD modeling frameworks for quickly iterating through design changes to meet evolving project requirements. • Constructed functional prototypes, and performed tolerance analysis to validate product design changes. Prepared ECRs, work instructions, tooling drawings, and preliminary Bills of Material. Applied manufacturing constraints and ease of assembly concepts to computer generated CAD geometry. • Managed multiple ongoing projects. Developed detailed specifications for product features and shipping attributes. Worked closely with the Sales and Marketing teams to define features, product renders, choose color approaches, and develop various advertising materials. • Participated in manufacturing coordination and production training for new products. Facilitated brain storming sessions which mediated pragmatic trade-offs in design development between different departments. • Prepared and presented written reports and presentations. Synthesized retail and product attribute data for executive decision making. Developed cost justification analysis of process improvements and product line expansions. • Performed the functions of a junior buyer, sourcing new parts and vendors as needed during the research and development process. Saved $100,000's over the course of my employment by changing material attributes, and sourcing cheaper alternative vendors. Developed RFQ documents for quoting outsourced tasks. • Gained deep knowledge of plastic fabrication (single sheet, twin sheet, spin welding, blow molding, injection molding, and rotational molding), textile manufacturing, fasteners, and shop floor routing procedures. Show less

    • Project Manager / Product Designer
      • Jul 2014 - Jun 2017

      Developed a new product made of hard yet flexible TPE (Thermoplastic elastomer), designed to protect cord prongs of (music, industrial, electrical) equipment in high foot traffic work spaces. Conducted market research, invested time and money into prototyping the product, in order to produce a compelling value proposition. Developed a framework for quickly iterating though functional CAD and 3d printed prototypes to validating design improvements. Started a LLC and generated social media marketing content to connect with potential customers. Managed correspondence of quotes on injection molded tooling. Sold the product concept and business to local entrepreneur to raise capital to facilitate product launch; retained a small royalty and advisory capacity. Product was able to sustain revenue flow via amazon.com. https://prongshield.com/ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071H1QNB5?th=1 https://www.facebook.com/prongshield Show less

    • Industrial Design Consultant
      • 2011 - Nov 2013

      Assisted, corporations, entrepreneurs, and inventors on various design development projects and contracts. I helped clients frame project criteria, produce product designs, branding ideas, packaging designs, graphic designs, marketing materials, technical documentation, company videos, and power point presentations. Gained Experience designing products using Solidworks 2015 & Rhino 3d R4.  Managed and directed Artprize 2011 team exhibit “Wind out of light” on a $2,000 budget. Managed personal, materials, marketing, set project timeline, interfaced with interior design firm and Artprize 2011 site vendor.  Managed Darwin day interactive exhibit on a $400 budget. Managed personal, materials, set project timeline, and interfaced with CFI(Center of Inquiry) coordinators. Show less

    • United States
    • Law Enforcement
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Reserve Duty: Intelligence Analyst - Graphic Designer
      • Feb 2011 - Oct 2013

      Conducted military occupational training in 321ST Psychological Operations Company media development teams. Developed compelling media products for military and civilian institutions. Performed in-depth market research of foreign cultural, behavior, history, geopolitical, and socioeconomic factors in order to design media (loudspeaker announcements, radio broadcasts, leaflets, video, newspaper articles, and flyers) to meet mission objectives. Applied public relations, advertising, graphic design, and marketing research principles in training events. Honorably discharged Oct 2013 from reserve duty. Show less

    • United States
    • Staffing and Recruiting
    • 100 - 200 Employee
    • Seasonal Temp Worker
      • May 2010 - Aug 2012

      Assisted a number of Grand Rapids companies in seasonal contract employment (1-6 week assignments) as a furniture assembler, tool and die apprentice, mechanical assembler, and warehouse associate. Assisted a number of Grand Rapids companies in seasonal contract employment (1-6 week assignments) as a furniture assembler, tool and die apprentice, mechanical assembler, and warehouse associate.

    • United States
    • Higher Education
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Work-Study Video Producer
      • Jun 2011 - Jan 2012

      Developed Storyboards, composed music, filmed and directed production of informational marketing videos for new student IDs. Worked on a video production team as a co-director of the short marketing film ”Super”, performed rough edits of content in after effects and premier pro. Developed Storyboards, composed music, filmed and directed production of informational marketing videos for new student IDs. Worked on a video production team as a co-director of the short marketing film ”Super”, performed rough edits of content in after effects and premier pro.

    • Active Duty: Intelligence Analyst - Operations Specialist
      • Jan 2005 - Feb 2009

      Organized intensive geopolitical research projects, coordinated data collection by intelligence assets, conducted debriefings, synthesized information into reports and relational databases. Updated situation maps and conducted formal intelligence analysis presentations on contemporary insurgent tactics, techniques, and procedures. Assisted in SWOT analysis, risk assessments, and operations planning. Facilitated meetings, training workshops, and provided customer support for military and civilian personnel. Conducted repair and maintenance of electronic training equipment. Participated in contemporary war games and training simulations related to asymmetrical warfare and acted in scripted battle simulations. Performed administrative duties and executive assistant tasks which involved the processing of legal documents for military clearances, the typing of official reports, office reception, and phone reception. Granted and maintained TOP SECRET compartmentalized clearance for duration of Active duty service. Awarded the Iraqi Campaign Medal, 3 x Army Commendation Medals, 4 x Army Achievement Medals, and Army Good Conduct Medal for exemplary performance. Honorably discharged Feb 2009 from active duty. Civilian Equivalent: Operations Specialists, Communications Equipment Operators, Computer Operators, Database Administrators, Management Analysts, Operations Research Analysts, Radio Operators, Teachers and Instructors, Technical Writers, Training and Development Specialists Show less

    • Work-Study Librarian's Aid
      • Aug 2004 - Dec 2004

      Operated the main circulation desk, performed clerical duties, maintained library cleanliness, shelved library materials, and assisted patrons in subject research. Operated the main circulation desk, performed clerical duties, maintained library cleanliness, shelved library materials, and assisted patrons in subject research.

    • Clerical Assistant
      • May 2003 - Aug 2003

      Designed and edited brochures for company events and newsletters. Tabled at events, conducted subject research, performed clerical duties, and assisted in planning activities. Designed and edited brochures for company events and newsletters. Tabled at events, conducted subject research, performed clerical duties, and assisted in planning activities.

Education

  • Ferris State University
    Bachelors of Integrative Studies (BIS), with a minor in Industrial Design - Kendal College of Art and Design
    2010 - 2012
  • Grand Rapids Community College
    Associates of Arts, Interdisciplinary Studies
    2009 - 2010
  • Cochise College
    Associates of Applied Science, Intelligence Operations
    2006 - 2008
  • U.S. Army Training Academy
    Diploma, Basic Combat Training & Advanced Individual Training
    2005 - 2005
  • East Kentwood Public High School
    High School Diploma, General Education
    2002 - 2004

Community

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