Rock Powell

Experience

• 

  Missouri S&T

  May 2007 - May 2009

  Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant

  Worked with researchers to design, build, and test laser micromachining workstations and conduct cutting edge research in microscale and nanoscale fabrication. Collaboratively taught the senior capstone class and acted as the CAD/CAE subject matter expert for students.Key Accomplishments:Built and integrated the hardware, optics, and software for a cutting-edge 1μm precision femtosecond 5-axis laser CNC machine.Led in the setup and equipment selection for two new laser micro-manufacturing laboratories at Missouri S&T.Mentored students in CAD/CAE as well as engineering methodologies in the S&T Mechanical Engineering Senior Design class. Show less

• 

  Cornerstone Energy Solutions

  May 2009 - Dec 2009

  Entrepreneur

  Performed leading work in a range of entrepreneurial activities including key strategy development, financial management, website design, sales, marketing, and engineering consultation in building up a new energy consulting firm.Key Accomplishments:Managed the financials of the business to profitability between June and December of 2009.Led in investigating and creating new business opportunities in small commercial and industrial energy consulting.

• 

  Vectren

  Mar 2010 - Jul 2015

  Improved utility financial results through the analysis and planning of high-profile projects and strategic gas system improvements utilizing pipeline network flow modeling tools and served as technical expert for projects involving equipment selection and engineering standards. Key Accomplishments: Saved >$1M annually in gas utility operating expense by automating flow modeling tasks using the Synergi Scripting Language. Wrote a custom software interface between ESRI GIS and the Synergi pipeline modeling software using the ESRI model builder and the Python scripting language. Show less

  • System Planning Engineer

    Jun 2011 - Jul 2015

  • Gas Distribution Engineer

    Mar 2010 - May 2011
• 

  Alliant Energy

  Aug 2015 - Nov 2017

  Engineering Manager- Gas Distribution Engineering

  Led a team of six engineers in identifying, estimating, designing and executing gas distribution and transmission pipeline projects and served as a subject matter expert in matters of pipeline compliance, engineering, construction, and standards. Key Accomplishments: Managed the successful engineering of $25M annually in gas transmission, distribution, and regulating station projects while improving business processes from budgeting to execution. Led the RTU engineering and programming team for Alliant’s multi-year SCADA RTU replacement project. Show less

• 

  Mueller Water Products

  Feb 2018 - now

  Developed a high performing group of engineers while launching diverse products across multiple product lines. Led ambitious development efforts in Mueller’s machines and tools (M&T) business from ideation through design, development testing, and pre-production while continuously improving product development processes. Key Accomplishments:Led product development from inception through launch of Mueller’s patented EZ-Tap, Bypass Meter Bar, Pressure Verification Tool, Insta-Tite 2.0, Mueller Max, and Infinex product lines. Led complex product development efforts in Mueller’s M&T business from ideation through pilot production. Led the design of machined, forged, sand-cast, injection-molded and welded parts and assemblies in support of Mueller’s product development efforts. Show less Built up a dynamic team of mechanical engineers in designing and releasing 200+ new product line extensions in Mueller’s service brass, gas, and machines and tools businesses totaling $1M+ in annual revenue while helping develop and integrate Mueller's cross-functional new product development process across Mueller’s businesses. Key Accomplishments:Built up and led a group of talented, high performing mechanical engineers in creating and launching 200+ new products and line extensions across multiple product lines. Built and managed processes for the concurrent effort to design, develop, test, and run multiple projects through pilot production with operations. Show less Executed new product development, cost savings, and quality improvement projects across multiple businesses while laying the groundwork for a uniform product development process. Key Accomplishments:Created and implemented a uniform process for new product design/introduction for Mueller’s Decatur site engineering and operations. Worked cross-functionally with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and operations to improve quality, save costs, and solve manufacturing challenges across diverse product lines. Show less

  • Design Engineering Manager - New Product Development

    Sept 2021 - now

  • Engineering Supervisor - New Product Development

    Sept 2019 - Sept 2021

  • Senior Product Design Engineer

    Feb 2018 - Sept 2019