JAMES P.

KERRIGAN
4851 Clearview Drive
Clarkston, Michigan 48348
586-980-7166(c), 248-394-0081(h)
jk1c5b82@westpost.net
CAREER SUMMARY
Senior Project Engineer with broad expertise in the design, development and laun
ch of airbags and steering wheels in the automotive supplier industry. Demonstr
ated ability in new program launch, design for manufacture, injection plastic mo
lding, metal forming, die-casting, and textiles. Possess strong interface and c
ommunication skills between OEM, supplier, design and manufacturing. Highly comm
itted professional that wants to dedicate my engineering expertise to a company
focused on today's needs and tomorrow's possibilities.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
TRW VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS, Washington, MI 1991-2008
A diversified Tier 1 supplier of automotive systems, modules and components to g
lobal automotive original equipment manufacturers and related after markets.
Senior Project Engineer 2006-2008
Responsible for the design, development, testing and release of Steering Wheel a
ssemblies for General Motors (Cadillac CTS V Series).
* Tasked with the new product launch of the first GM/TRW steering wheel that uti
lized a 'Suede fabric wrapped' rim grip, resulting in an exceptional industry in
novation.
Application Engineer II 1996-2006
Responsible for the design, development, testing and release of Driver Airbag as
semblies for multiple Ford vehicle platforms ( Towncar / Crown Vic / Grand Marqu
is / T-Bird / LS / Taurus-Sable / F-150 ).
* Successfully launched first non-painted/'mold-in-color' airbag cover technolog
y for TRW / Ford resulting in $500k annual savings for large car program.
* Integrated new airbag technologies that included dual stage airbag inflation a
nd 'bag-in-bag' designs to address Federal and manufacturer standards to meet ou
t-of position ( OOPs ) requirements.
* Successfully implemented integrated airbag/tethered horn switch design that re
sulted in reduction of horn switch plant quality concerns and customer warranty
costs.
Project Engineer / Application Engineer I 1991-1996
Responsible for the design, development, testing and release of Passenger Airbag
assemblies for Toyota ( Camry / Avalon / Crown ).
* Successfully designed and launched self locating passenger airbag module to ve
hicle instrument panel with tethered airbag cover; an innovative first for impro
ving assembly interface 'fit and finish'.
* Initiated concept design for a plastic(nylon) split ring inflator adaptor used
for attachment of the passenger inflator to airbag housing. Inflator adaptor w
as used across most of the passenger airbags produced by TRW for multiple OEMs,
thus eliminating the necessity to re-tool module steel stampings and housings re
sulting in major costs avoidance (~ $10 million).
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering(major) / Economics(minor) 1991
Oakland University Auburn Hills, Michiga
n
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS & TRAINING
-Skilled in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, GD&T Geometric Dimensioning and
Tolerance Customer Release: Ford Notice ( WERS ) & GM EWO systems, Spicer / Im
agenation, SET Team oriented, Six Sigma Green Belt Certified, DFMEA / PFMEA / AP
QP trained, DVP&R / PVP&R report formats, Kepner/Trehoe Problem Solving