Detailed Examples of Experience with General Electric

Here, I've added some examples of engineering experience that I had gained while with General Electric for almost five years.

Formulating Conclusions and Recommendations:
For the NBBB Empress project, I had full responsibility for a conceptual design providing total cost for an Engineer's Operating Station (EOS) console. The EOS was designed according to the particulars in a 400 page naval architect's spec detailing the entire vessel. As well, ABS, Coast Guard, and NEC requirements had to be included. Conceptual design drawings were created showing external devices and internal backpans. The cost analysis included the price of equipment, cost of manufacturing by a subcontractor, and design, manufacturing, and installation costs absorbed by project personnel. These drawings and pricing were used to convince our client to allow us to provide the EOS console. Once accepted, I then completed the entire design both mechanically and electrically. Next, I wrote the Request for Quote (RFQ) to have our vendors bid on the manufacturing and assembly. Finally, I provided manufacturing support and completed the factory acceptance testing myself. This project was completed under budget.

Identifying Design and/or Project Objectives:
For the Washington State Ferry (WSF) Jumbo project, I was responsible for designing the ships' EOS console. The EOS is the central control station for this class of vessel, the M/V Spokane and Walla Walla. I provided 3D CAD concepts in engineering meetings for customer acceptance. I conducted a worldwide search for the exact Engine Order Telegraph system required. I also designed 45 mechancial layout drawings and numerous electrical elementaries for the console. I conducted a review of relevant American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) regs, performed heat load calculations, and identified necessary cooling fans. I created an integration I/O spreadsheet involving over 130 EOS devices (push buttons, pilot lights, selector switches, flat screen monitors, engine order telegraphs, etc.). I also took full responsibility for the Request for Quote (RFQ) spec documents and performed all testing on the recently manufactured M/V Spokane console.

Identifying Possible Alternative Methods and Concepts:
For the Washington State Ferries M/V Elwha design effort, I was assigned the job of designing backpans to retrofit into the existing switchboard on the vessel. But, for another WSF project, I had previously located some 3000 amp breakers in a switchboard stored at the WSF warehouse. I discovered that it was originally intended as an Elwha duplicate for another vessel in the same class. I suggested we have the switchboard remanufactured for the Elwha. That would allow us to do a more thorough retrofit, conduct more testing, and be able to include it in our system simulation prior to installation. My responsibilities included researching all pertinent drawings, pouring over the switchboard, making numerous detailed measurements, having it inspected by a manufacturing rep, and discussing the idea with WSF. I determined that it was an exact identical unit and got permission to use it for our project.

Defining Performance Specifications and Functional Requirements:
I wrote RFQ documents outlining the requirements for manufacturing of numerous groups of industrial marine panels. For M/V Klahoywa, I modified four pre-existing RFQ's. For Empress of the North I created 3 new RFQ's from a total of 8. Finally, on M/V Spokane, three of five were my responsibility. Writing the RFQ's required creating the proper language to outline the requirements of the final product. Electrical as well as mechanical and structural definitions, recommended practices, safety features, and references to UL, Coast Guard, or American Bureau of Shipping regulations had to be incorporated to insure quality, functionality, and safety of the final product. Finally, I created numerous test documents and conducted the testing of many panels to ensure they met the requirements outlined in this spec.

Interacting with Professionals from Other Areas of Practice:
I have interfaced with at least a dozen subcontractors in either an RFQ, panel manufacturing, or on-site final testing phase. This includes managers, engineers, and craftpersons. I conducted one-on-one phone discussions with ABS engineers on specific regulatory requirements. I have worked regularly and closely with numerous engineers at Washington State Ferries (WSF). In fact, from June-September of 2003, I was assigned full time to the WSF headquarters to assist them with their shipyard bid package. I interfaced with electrical, mechanical, and structural engineers in an environment where every drawing created must ultimately display a PE stamp.

Effectively Communicating Recommendations and Conclusions:
I performed separate reviews of both ABS and US Coast Guard regulations and their impact on our M/V Spokane design. In both cases, communicating recommendations first required synthesizing a very wide review of verbose regulatory code down to exact references from the code and it's possible impact on specific areas of our entire design effort. By creating a compact yet detailed electronic synopsis, I was able to email both to various members of the team letting them review it at their convenience. I could then discuss it with them individually regarding certain portions.