Robert Howe, MBA, BSEE, L6s Black Belt, PMI/PMP

Experience

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  Raytheon

  Jan 2001 - Jan 2005

  R&D Program Manager, Failure Analyst

  Raytheon Missile Systems, a 400KSF facility based in Bedford, MA employed 5000 engineers at the missile design facility. The success of numerous DOD programs including Hawk, Sidewinder, Sparrow, and Patriot Missile Defense System has now redistributed the facility nationwide. As a Sr Engineer/Advanced Development, I was project manager for several experimental programs, including both the Hawk-and Sparrow-derived dual-mode seeker projects. During my employ, I was also called in to investigate several active-production missile system failures that had eluded resolution. I also spearheaded the creation of an innovative terminal flight simulation operation known as 2WL Facility; I maintained a Secret Security Clearance.► IH, a deployed program suddenly experienced catastrophic failures that were unresolved after 4 months of investigation and put the $350MM production contract on hold; I was called in to investigate and find a solution. Result: in 2 weeks I identified and verified the cause, and then analyzed and released the redesign which resolved the matter with minimal modification and rework, in a 5-week effort.► 2WL Facility, as Program Manager I led the concept, design, proposal, funding, purchasing, construction, and completion of a first-of-its-kind simulation facility, budgeted at nearly $5MM. The facility became the key resource for all future multimode guidance systems. Show less

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  Photofabrication Technology Inc (PTI)

  Jan 2005 - Feb 2015

  General Manager, VP Operations

  PTI was founded by four pioneers in the instrumentation industry to bring a superior strain gauge to the market. Primary customers were HBM, Taylor Instruments, and CCC. While that goal was achieved, the business was unprofitable. I was recruited to solve that problem, then expand the operation and provide new product development and develop additional proprietary technology. Within 18 months I created 6 product lines and collateral literature, a trade journal advertising program, trade show booth, and a nationwide network of sales reps. Market demand outstripped the parent company's ability to fund the growth, and I negotiated an LBO, secured necessary VC funding, and acquired and expanded the business. Increased capabilities caused program managers at major aerospace firms such as Honeywell, Loral, General Dynamics, GE, SPAR, and SBRC and others to seek PTI's high-tech solutions to numerous aerospace product development and production challenges. I sought and secured a multimillion-dollar State of New Hampshire Industrial Revenue Bond plus supplementary funding from NH Business Development Corporation to expand the facilities. The 35% building expansion was completed on time and below budget, a 7 figure capital equipment acquisition program (including a robotic processing line and new wastewater treatment facility was completed, which enabled the company to become a qualified, often sole-source, vendor on numerous DOD programs.Other notable accomplishments:► Solved test failure problem on FLIR common module, increased yields from 35% to 92% (HEOD/BAE)► Solved customer's cost overruns with innovative hybrid interconnect to cut assembly time from 54 minutes to 6 minutes and virtually eliminated rework (Taylor). ► Solved catastrophic failures on LWIR array operating at 10 degrees K; this redesign prevented the cancellation of a multibillion-dollar development program (HEOD/BAE). Show less

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  AZREOP, Inc (Arizona Research & Operations, Inc)

  Mar 2015 - now

  Principal Consultant

  "Problem solved" services in product crisis situations caused by rapid growth, competitive challenges, new economics, or vendor issues such as process, IT, cryogenic imaging/packaging, transducers, strain gauges, technology in general, even retail reverse supply chain. Relevant buzzwords: aerospace/instrumentation, marketing, manufacturing, value stream, lean, and VOC Specific Cases:►Cryogenic focal plane array packaging redesign gave 10:1 improved reliability and 60% better thermal performance.► Development and production of a 2nd generation dual-mode corrosion sensor which reduced sensor cost by more than 50% and eliminated redundant components.► Manufacturing review led to the development of a new UV-cured strain gauge to reduce manufacturing costs 50%.►Redesigned retail reverse supply chain to recover $500MM in avoidable profit losses due to disjointed, outmoded IT systems and operations. Show less

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  Ring4Retirees

  Jun 2023 - now

  Founder, CEO

  New venture devoted to improving home security and safety for seniors, with initial focus on helping those living in 55+ manufactured housing units where cost-cutting has compromised access to certain security devices. Ring4Retirees has dramatically reduced installation costs and thereby opened up new Aging-In-Place opportunities for low/moderate income seniors to gain access to emerging AgeTech devices.