Robert W. Dawson Jr.
17601 Pomona Road S.E., Oldtown
Summary
Accomplished Tool & Die Shop Manager at Northrop Grumman at Allegany Ballistics Laboratory with extensive expertise in precision machining and quality assurance. Proven track record in enhancing operational efficiency and fostering team collaboration. Skilled in equipment maintenance and problem-solving, consistently achieving production goals while ensuring compliance with safety protocols.
Overview
48
48
years of professional experience
Work History
Tool & Die Shop Manager
Alliant Techsystems. Orbital ATK, Northrop Grumman
Rocket Center
10.2012 - 01.2025
- Enforced company policies regarding employee conduct and attendance.
- Used excellent verbal skills to engage customers in conversation and effectively determine needs and requirements.
- Created effective business plans to focus strategic decisions on long-term objectives.
- Connected with customers to provide assistance and collect feedback to optimize operations.
- Collaborated with HR to recruit, hire, and onboard new employees.
- Completed thorough opening, closing, and shift change functions to maintain operational standards each day.
- Formed and sustained strategic relationships with clients.
- Developed and enforced safety protocols, significantly reducing workplace accidents.
- Resolved customer complaints promptly and professionally.
- Developed and implemented procedures for the efficient operation of the shop.
- Guided team to consistently achieve daily, weekly and monthly production goals.
- Examined supply and raw material levels to determine shortages and make necessary adjustments.
- Used strong issue resolution and communication skills to cultivate and strengthen lasting client relationships.
- Scheduled staff shifts according to business needs.
- Provided leadership, insight and mentoring to newly hired employees to supply knowledge of various company programs.
- Utilized technology to improve operational efficiency and customer engagement.
- Responded to customer inquiries in a timely manner.
- Supervised a team of 52 employees, providing training and performance evaluations.
- Delegated work to staff, setting priorities and goals.
- Oversaw daily shop operations, ensuring efficient workflow and customer satisfaction.
- Ensured compliance with all relevant health, safety and security regulations.
- Demonstrated strong problem-solving skills, resolving issues efficiently and effectively.
Shop Floor Supervisor
Alliant Tech Systems, Orbital ATK
Rocket Center
02.2000 - 10.2012
- Functioning in this capacity as a supervisor, I was responsible for day to day operations, personnel assignment, scheduling and production performance in medium to high rate manufacturing with metals and composites relative to tactical rocket motor, warhead and 120mm tank ammunition.
- Utilized various software and tools to streamline processes and optimize performance.
- Provided support and guidance to colleagues to maintain a collaborative work environment.
- Updated and maintained databases with current information.
- Demonstrated strong problem-solving skills, resolving issues efficiently and effectively.
- Worked successfully with diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services.
- Assisted with customer requests and answered questions to improve satisfaction.
- Prioritized and organized tasks to efficiently accomplish service goals.
- Contributed innovative ideas and solutions to enhance team performance and outcomes.
- Worked with cross-functional teams to achieve goals.
- Maintained updated knowledge through continuing education and advanced training.
- Exceeded customer satisfaction by finding creative solutions to problems.
Inspector in Quality Assurance and Quality Control
Hercules Inc. Alliant Tech Systems, Orbital ATK
Rocket Center
10.1997 - 02.2000
- Documented inspection results by completing reports and logs and summarizing and entering data into quality database.
- Consulted with engineers to resolve quality, production, and efficiency problems.
- Notified management promptly of systemic quality related concerns with production.
- Performed in-process inspections on components, assemblies, and products using precision measuring instruments.
- Marked materials with grade or acceptance status.
- Used specialized tools to take precise measurements of various aspects of samples.
- Inspected incoming raw materials for non-conforming items.
- Maintained accurate records of inspection results, test data, calibration activities, and other related documents.
- Examined products and materials for defects or deviations to remove or discard non-conforming items.
- Analyzed collected data to determine if corrective actions are necessary to maintain quality standards.
- Evaluated first article samples against product drawings and customer requirements.
- Conducted visual and dimensional inspections of production parts to ensure conformance with customer specifications.
- Oversaw proper tagging and identification of parts and components, enabling rejected or non-repairable parts to be properly marked, quarantined and rendered unusable.
- Maintained a clean work environment by adhering to 5S principles.
- Completed non-destructive tests and conducted continuous inspections.
- Monitored manufacturing processes for compliance with quality standards.
- Operated equipment and machinery according to safety guidelines.
- Managed time effectively to ensure tasks were completed on schedule and deadlines were met.
Tool & Die Maker
Marshall Ruby & Son's Inc
Frostburg
03.1997 - 10.1997
- After the closing of Pipeline & Vessel Repair, I took this position at Marshall Ruby & Sons while awaiting a hiring opportunity with the defense contractor Hercules Inc., operating at Allegany Ballistics Laboratory.
- Researched tooling materials and sourced required components.
- Reviewed blueprints and instructions to define tooling requirements.
- Provide input on cost reduction initiatives related to manufacturing processes.
- Set up and correctly operated various manufacturing machines and equipment.
- Fabricate die parts from drawings or sketches using a variety of materials, including steel, aluminum, composites, and plastics.
- Identify potential design improvements that would reduce costs or increase quality of product output.
- Set up and operate all types of machine tools, such as lathes, milling machines, drill presses, surface grinders and jig borers to perform precision machining operations.
- Maintained strong quality assurance standards by using precision measuring equipment to verify accuracy of fabricated items.
- Utilize precision measuring devices such as micrometers, calipers and dial indicators to verify dimensions of completed products.
- Ensure compliance with safety regulations while operating machinery in a safe manner.
- Complied with safety regulations to maintain clean and orderly work areas.
- Perform welding operations when needed for the repair of tooling components.
Shop Manager, Production Engineer
Pipeline & Vessel Repair Inc
Cresaptown
08.1985 - 03.1997
- I accepted this leadership position as a resource to provide leadership, experience, manufacturing knowledge, and insight in the startup and personnel selection of a manufacturing facility. Listed below are highlights of the various duties that were required.
- Developed and implemented procedures for the efficient operation of the shop.
- After the procurement of equipment, instituted a comprehensive maintenance schedule, ensuring all equipment operated optimally.
- Oversaw daily shop operations, ensuring efficient workflow and customer satisfaction.
- Led employee performance evaluations and rewarded top performers to retain quality personnel.
- Tracked stock levels on a regular basis to avoid out-of-stock situations.
- Built and maintained sound business relationships with vendors and suppliers.
- Supervised daily operations by establishing schedules, assignments, creating procedures and monitoring performance.
- Ensured compliance with all relevant health, safety and security regulations.
- Oversaw the recruitment, training and development of new shop floor personnel.
- Scheduled staff shifts according to business needs.
- Designed jigs, fixtures, tools, gauges and other equipment needed for the efficient manufacture of products.
Machinery Repairman, E-3 Through E-7
United States Navy, United States Navy Reserve
Various
11.1976 - 11.1992
- Assigned to the Surface and Ballistic Missile Submarine Fleet, Atlantic. In this capacity, I have shipboard and shore facility experience, from a 3-man machine shop to leading, directing, and assigning 55 people in day-to-day machine shop operations.
- Replaced worn or damaged components with new parts according to manufacturer specifications.
- Disassembled machinery to remove parts and make repairs.
- Operated a variety of manual and computer-controlled machining tools such as lathes, mills, grinders, drill presses and saws.
- Ordered necessary replacement parts from vendors when needed.
- Identified mechanical problems using visual inspection techniques and specialized diagnostic equipment.
- Entered codes and instructions to program computer-controlled machinery.
- Operated equipment to cut, join, repair, and fabricate components and equipment.
Tool & Die Maker
Smith Engineering Company
LaVale
02.1980 - 08.1985
- After leaving active duty, I was employed as a Tool & Die Maker, which required the ability to perform the following tasks:
- Reviewed blueprints and instructions to define tooling requirements.
- Set up and correctly operate tool room and shop floor machines and equipment.
- Fabricate components, assemblies, and parts from drawings or sketches using a variety of materials, including steel, aluminum, composites, and plastics.
- Inspect finished components for accuracy and conformance to specifications
- Maintained strong quality assurance standards by using precision measuring equipment to verify accuracy of fabricated items.
- Utilize precision measuring devices such as micrometers, calipers and dial indicators to verify dimensions of completed products.
- Worked effectively within extremely tight tolerances to produce precision results.
- Troubleshot issues to navigate tool and die design challenges.
- Operated a variety of machinery and tools safely and efficiently.
Education
Some College (No Degree) - Biology
Shepherd University
Shepherdstown, WVSome College (No Degree) - Biology
Frostburg State University
Frostburg, MDSome College (No Degree) - Mechanical Engineering
Allegany College of Maryland
Cumberland, MDSome College (No Degree) - Mechanical Engineering
Northwestern University
Evanston, IlSkills
- Equipment maintenance
- Precision machining
- Blueprint reading
- Quality assurance
- Diagnostic equipment
- Customer service
- Team building
- Problem solving
- Process improvement
- Safety protocols
- Time management
- Industrial safety standards
- Continuous improvement
- Goal setting
- Hand tools proficiency
- Blueprint interpretation
- Lathe operations
- Precision measuring
- Milling machine operation
- Predictive maintenance
- Machine operation
- Metal fabrication
- Professionalism
- Metalworking
- Problem-solving aptitude
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Precision measurement
- Interpersonal skills
Accomplishments
- Navy Achievement Medal
Timeline
Tool & Die Shop Manager
Alliant Techsystems. Orbital ATK, Northrop Grumman
10.2012 - 01.2025
Shop Floor Supervisor
Alliant Tech Systems, Orbital ATK
02.2000 - 10.2012
Inspector in Quality Assurance and Quality Control
Hercules Inc. Alliant Tech Systems, Orbital ATK
10.1997 - 02.2000
Tool & Die Maker
Marshall Ruby & Son's Inc
03.1997 - 10.1997
Shop Manager, Production Engineer
Pipeline & Vessel Repair Inc
08.1985 - 03.1997
Tool & Die Maker
Smith Engineering Company
02.1980 - 08.1985
Machinery Repairman, E-3 Through E-7
United States Navy, United States Navy Reserve
11.1976 - 11.1992
Some College (No Degree) - Biology
Shepherd University
Some College (No Degree) - Biology
Frostburg State University
Some College (No Degree) - Mechanical Engineering
Allegany College of Maryland
Some College (No Degree) - Mechanical Engineering
Northwestern University
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