Dennis Kappetijn

Experience

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  Aerotek, CSIR

  Jan 1993 - Nov 2001

  Project Engineer & Project Manager (various roles)

  JOB DESCRIPTION • Project Engineer & Project Manager (Lead project Engineer & Project Manager since 1995) on various multi-disciplinary technology development and product development projects, including: - Passive Infra Red Suppression Systems for Rooivalk, Oryx Helicopter, Alouette and a Stealth Remote Aerial Vehicle. These were all technology development & demonstration projects; except for Rooivalk and at the time represented the most advanced technology of its kind in the world. These systems protect aircraft against IR anti-aircraft missiles.- Facility Development, Operation and Management: Hot Gas Test Facility- Limited Involvement in the OVID (ACE 1) development team - First full composite trainer aircraft developed internationally.- Marketing and business development as well as project management in the Composite Structures Programme of Aerotek.- Project management and engineering involvement on the Deep Level Mine project and mining related projects in support of business development for the Manufacturing Technology Programme of Aerotek.AWARDS1994: Aerotek Merit Award for Project Management Excellence1997: Aerotek Achiever Award for Technical Excellence REASON FOR LEAVING: Promoted to Technology Manager of the Landwards Defence Programme & Section Manager of Explosives & Weapons: Landwards Defence Programme Show less

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  Defencek, CSIR

  Dec 2001 - Oct 2003

  Technology Manager, Landwards Defence

  JOB DESCRIPTION • Technology Management (strategic operational and tactical level) of the Defence Technologies Programme of Defencetek, ensuring technology and capability growth in key areas aligned with the programme’s business plan.• In the context of the above, inputs to the Programme’s business plan• Lobbying for and Sourcing of investment funding• Development of technology development management systems• Allocation and management of technology funds• Approval technology projects and management of outcomes. (risks and results, to ensure effective application of funds)• Management of Large Contracts• Protection of all new Intellectual Property• Development of new business and income streams for new capabilities and technologies created.AWARDS2003: Director’s Award for ‘Drive Towards a Knowledge Intensive Organisation’REASON FOR LEAVING: Promoted to Programme Manager, but kept doing this job. Show less

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  Defencetek, CSIR

  Dec 2001 - Mar 2006

  JOB DESCRIPTION • Strategic, Operational and Tactical Level Business Management inclusive of the following key functions and responsibilities:- EXCO member - Strategy Development- Business planning - Budgeting and financial management- Weekly business forecasts and reports- Marketing and business development - Contract management- Key Customer Management - Capability Development and Management (+- 60 permanent staff members & post-graduate programmes )- Facilities Development & Management (Explosive & Weapons Test range, various fixed laboratories (including small nuclear laboratory) & manufacturing workshops- Line Management - Implementation of TQM and ISO 9001- Ensuring that Division level & CSIR level KPA’s and imperatives were met.- Continued with technical work and innovation • Technology Management ensuring technology and capability growth in key areas.AWARDS:2003: Director’s Award for ‘Best Team ’.2003: Nominated for CSIR EXCELLENCE AWARDS: ‘Drive Towards a Drive Towards a Knowledge Intensive Organisation’.2003: Nominated for CSIR EXCELLENCE AWARDS: ‘Best Team’. 2003: Nominated for CSIR EXCELLENCE AWARDS: ‘Commercialisation Excellence’.2004: Director’s Award for ‘Drive Towards Drive Towards a Knowledge Intensive Organisation’.2004: Director’s Award for ‘Team Award for Innovation Excellence’.2004: Director’s Award for ‘Best Development Team’.2005: Nomination for CSIR Team Excellence Award for ‘Best Technological Innovation’ 2005: Nomination for INNOVATION AWARD from the DST’s Innovation Fund for a cancer detection device patent.2008: INNOVATION AWARD for Cash-in-Transit invention patent.REASON FOR LEAVING: After 16 years at the CSIR I felt it was time for a change and wanted to start my own company. Show less JOB DESCRIPTION Responsible for: • Business planning & management.• Line management of this section of 13 Engineers and Technicians. • Human capital development and growth• Marketing and sales.• Management reports to the Landwards Programme Manager.• Project and delivery management of the section.• Key customer management.AWARDS2001: Finalist for the Defencetek Achiever Award for Business Excellence. 2002: Director’s Award for the ‘Best Programme Management and Support Team’.REASON FOR LEAVING: Promoted to Programme Manager Show less

  • Programme Manager: Landwards Defence Technologies

    Oct 2003 - Mar 2006

  • SECTION MANAGER: Explosives & Weapons

    Dec 2001 - Oct 2003
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  X Developments and Construction

  Oct 2006 - Aug 2008

  Director: Business development and Project Management

  JOB DESCRIPTION •Responsible for marketing & business development; including contracting•Project management•Interior and exterior design ( a personal passion)REASON FOR LEAVING: Liquidated the company after property market crash 2008.

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  Denel Land Systems

  Apr 2009 - Sept 2019

  Lead and manage all of the AV8 Programme (for Malaysia ) activities on the RSA side of the Programme. This includes:•The development and qualification of 2x two-man turrets (LCT30 and LCT30 ATGW) for the Malaysian Defense Forces new IFV programme. Last mentioned turret includes an anti-tank guided missile weapon system,•The customization of an existing Remote Controlled Overhead Weapon Station•ILS Development for all for all of the above (high level oversight only).•Development of test benches capable of testing all electrical system components.•Industrialisation•Partial Production in RSA.•Technology Transfer.•Line Management of AV8 Programme Team.•Participate in the management team of DLS Infantry Systems (Total contracts = +- R18bn)Note: The current contract Malaysian Contract value is just in excess of ZAR5.5bn and is largely on schedule.KEY PERFORMANCE AREAComplete the following on schedule, to specification and within budget:•Development and customization of 3x Turrets•Industrialisation•LOG Packages•Test Bench Development and manufacturing.•Turret Production.•Meeting our Transfer of Technology (ToT)commitments. •Effective line management with the focus on the retention of key personnel and acquisition of highly competent personnel. •Ensuring effective mentorship and coaching programs are implemented to fast-track younger engineers. •Effective interaction and communication with all internal & external customers and stakeholders.•Satisfied customers.CRITICAL SKILLS•Extensive project, programme management, contract management and systems engineering experience.•Extensive design, development, qualification and System Engineering experience on land-based military equipment.•Line management experience.•Experience with respect to military acquisition of systems.AWARDS:2015: Certificate of Appreciation and Nomination for the ROOIVALK Group CEO EXCELLENCE AWARD Show less JOB DESCRIPTIONSenior Manager responsible to/for:•Lead and manage the L3 and L5 System Engineering teams responsible to deliver on two major Infantry Fighting Vehicle and Turret development projects (16 variants in total). Total value of contracts value to Denel Land Systems in the order of ZAR17.5bn over the next 5-7 years.•Line management.•System Engineering capability & capacity development & improvement.•Optimisation of System Engineering processes, procedures and systems to maximize delivery efficiency and quality.•Provision of world-class System Engineering services.KEY PERFORMANCE AREA•Development of sustainable strategies and viable plans to ensure that DLS’s System Engineering capability will significantly contribute to the future business success of DLS.•Creation of a System Engineering Center of Excellence: Capability development & management to meet & exceed current and future development programme needs.•Effective line management with the focus on the retention of key personnel and acquisition of highly competent personnel. •Ensuring effective mentorship and coaching programs are implemented to fast-track younger engineers. •Effective interaction and communication with all internal & external customers and stakeholders.•Satisfied customers.CRITICAL SKILLS•Extensive design, development, qualification and System Engineering experience on land-based military equipment.•Extensive line management experience.•Capability development and management experience.•Technology development & management experience.•Project management and contract management experience.•Experience with respect to military acquisition of systems.REASON FOR WANTING TO LEAVE: Moved to new position. Show less JOB DESCRIPTIONSenior Manager responsible to/for: •Manage all the activities within Infantry Systems Turrets to meet all commitments - Current contracted value about ZAR1bn (primary key to the company achieving about ZAR15bn of sales on 2 major contracts over next 5 years)•Deliver as contracted to comply with the budget, the schedule and technical requirements.•Manage resources to support the execution of these activities. •Provide support to turret related business development activities.KEY PERFORMANCE AREA•People and Capability Management: Appointment, development and effective deployment of human resources, specification, motivation and acquisition of engineering and management tools and software.•Strategic Management: Tailor/implement project management plans, determine focus areas, identification and swift & efficient resolution of problems. •Operational Management: Provide high level plan and strategy, provide detail level integrated planning. Integrate activities from different contracts, risk management, compile project management and engineering parts of contracts/proposals, ensure management of contracts and subcontracts, ensure strategic resource planning and management, manage the execution of the plans/contracts. Ensure data integrity of plans and provide reporting and control of project delivery activities.CRITICAL SKILLS•Enterprise Management experience.•Project Management and Contract Management experience.•Experience with respect to military acquisition of systems.AWARDS2011: Denel Land Systems Business Excellence Award2013: Denel Land Systems Exceptional Contribution AwardREASON FOR WANTING TO LEAVE: Promoted to the position of Senior Manager: System Engineering Show less JOB DESCRIPTION •System Engineer responsible for the technical delivery & integrity assurance of the Modular Combat Turret on the Command Variant of Badger (Project Hoefyster) up to PBL(1). Badger is an R1b development project with an expected R8b-R9b phase 2 production contracts currently in final negotiation.• Secondary responsibilities: - Cross turret work on various contracted deliverables on all four Modular Combat Turrets up to PBL(1) and into the industrialisation Phase. - Support to L5 SE (Full System Level) on obsolescence analysis and reports for all the Badger variants. - System Engineer: Test and Evaluation (L3-Turrets) - Delivery management (Contractual and Technical) on all the Optical systems for project Hoefyster EDM’s (contracts value about R40m). -Tender Development, Analysis and Evaluation as well as contract development assistance to DLS Procurement (currently on Hoefyster Optical Systems only- also for production phase). - Obsolescence Management System Development; including Obsolescence Management Database, company procedure and DID’s for internal and supplier obsolescence reports. - Engineering Development Status Management tool development. - Electronic Blackbook integrated with the ECP, CON/DEV and PCA systems. - Mentoring of a junior SE.REASON FOR WANTING TO LEAVE: Promoted to Senior Manager: Turret Systems Development Show less

  • Acting Engineering Manager: Denel Land Systems

    Feb 2019 - Sept 2019

  • Programme Manager: AV8 RSA

    Jul 2014 - Sept 2019

  • Senior Manager: Infantry Systems Systems Engineering

    Oct 2012 - Jun 2014

  • Senior Manager: Turret Systems

    Mar 2011 - Sept 2012

  • Modular Combat Turret System Engineer (L3)

    Apr 2009 - Mar 2011
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  Paramount Advanced Technologies

  Oct 2019 - Feb 2021

  Engineering Manager

  Paramount Advanced Technologies (PAT) is a subsidiary of the African-based global defence and aerospace company Paramount Group (www.paramountgroup.com). I had the privilege to lead a core team of highly skilled system engineers, design engineers, specialists and technicians in the development and qualification of basic to complex integrated mission systems for surveillance, battlefield intellligence acquisition and fire control of a suite of weapon systems ranging from laser guided missiles, guided rockets and unguided rockets to various cannons and machine guns. This includes HUDS/HMSD systems for rapid target acquisition and engagement; typically for rotor-wing and fixed-wing aircraft; as well as land-based armoured systems. In addition PAT has a range of UAV's; including weaponised UAV's for specific customer requirements. PAT has the extended capabilities to manufacture all parts required, integrate, commission and support all systems it develops.. PAT's range of tried and tested standard hardware solutions and software modules allow for rapid customization and short development/qualification cycles in comparison to our competitors. PAT is focused on developing systems for customised implementation and functionality, maximised performance, absolute safety, reliability and low cost of acquisition and through-life support; even for small batch quantities. PAT is geared for volume production. Show less

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  SAMI CMI Defence Systems LLC

  Mar 2021 - Dec 2024

  Deputy Project Director

  Privileged to have an exciting career and working with an incredible team at SAMI CMI Defence Systems to develop and build an indigenous turret engineering and manufacturing capability in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

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  CMI Defence LLC

  Dec 2024 - now

  Engineering Manager

  Provision of internal engineering services for internal and external industrialization and localization of John Cockerill Defence's turret product systems in Saudi Arabia. In addition, as a secondary function, engineering support will be provided to identify and resolve any technical or quality issues.