Robert Beland
Product Design Professional
Pickering, ON
Industrial Designer/Design Integration Professional with over 10 years of experience in a fast-paced environment with responsibilities in the design, development, manufacture, project management and documentation of personal protective equipment (PPE) for crowd management/riot control, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), UXO (unexploded ordnance), and body temperature regulation. Exemplary team player that is practical, precise, and end user-focused. Areas of expertise include:
• Problem research & functional need analysis
• Technical product documentation, change control, and configuration management
• Systems level specification writing
• Product cost control & tracking, validation, & testing
• Product conceptualization, rendering, mock-up and advanced model fabrication
• Human Factors Analysis
• Project management, resource & budget allocation, risk management
• Extensive materials technical knowledge and subcontractor network
• Military Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Contracts & application of US Berry Amendment
Work Experience
Systems Engineering Lead/Product Designer
2011 to April 2012
Driven Engineering team lead focusing on resolving all product design & technical inquiries related to EOD, along with extensive involvement in new EOD product conceptualization, and system level specification writing.
• As EOD technical lead, played significant role in validating nearly 300 Engineering Change Requests (ECRs) over the course of a year.
• Served as prime in timely delivery of technical documentation packages (TDPs) for two large military EOD Contracts (for Canadian DND & US Army Natick)
• Key team member in engineering new colour variant of new modular EOD ensemble (for which I served as the project engineer in the original product release) and associated TDP in less than two months.
• Key participant in system specification creation and concept brainstorming for next generation full-scale bomb suit & helmet.
Product Design Integration Specialist, Product Development
2009 to 2011
Ambitious project engineer/designer overseeing the project management, conceptualization, prototyping, documentation, human factors engineering, & validation of radically new modular EOD ensemble for military EOD technicians. Coordinated with R&D and actively participated in live blast testing program to validate new EOD ensemble.
• Able to design a new modular ensemble weighing ~20% less than traditional full scale bomb suit, while maintaining same levels of protection to vital organs. New ensemble is one-man dressing, whereas the traditional bomb suit requires a second body to assist.
• Introduced multi-variant anthropometric sizing system with new ensemble ensuring a more customized fit for military EOD technicians.
• Evolved into resident technical/design point of contact for all EOD product.
(NPI) Specialist - CBRN
2008 to 2009
Conscientious specialist serving as the hub for the TDP implementation of CBRN
(Chemical/Biological/Radioactive/Nuclear) product into company PLM system, and oversaw any new product introduction for the CBRN product line.
• Able to integrate nearly all CBRN product into company PLM system; CBRN product line, although part of Allen Vanguard, required extensive documentation clean-up prior to releasing in company systems.
Soft Goods Product Lifecycle Support Specialist, Product Development
2008 to 2008
Focused team player serving as the hub for the implementation of product design and document- related change requests for all legacy and new softgoods product.
• Helped develop many of the protocols/procedures with the ECR/ECN (Enterprise Change Request/Notice) process in the newly company-adopted Aras Innovator PLM solution.
• Assisted with legacy data entry and documentation/part/product releases and changes in Aras Innovator PLM System.
Technical Illustrator & Writer, Product Development
2006 to 2008
Detail-oriented member of Softgoods Product Development refining procedural development and maintenance of Softgoods technical documentation software, and creation/updating of related documentation and necessary graphics.
• Oversaw development and enhancement of Softgoods TDP generation and graphic images using newly introduced documentation software Lectra Mikalis.
• Became the resident expert on garment labeling according to US military specifications.
• Contributed significantly to many NPI-related projects.
Industrial Design Technologist
2003 to 2004
Motivated individual that designed new product, compiled and tracked new product costing, and provided technical expertise to respective Sales account managers.
• Reduced riot control helmet manufacturing costs by 60% serving as lead designer in the development of a 30% lighter, feature-rich, protective helmet, versus pre-existing product.
• Achieved 50% cost savings for new modular body protective ensemble through dedicated research of advanced materials, analysis of existing product, sample procurement/validation, and development of strong vendor/manufacturer relationships.
Research & Development Representative
2002 to 2003
Reliable departmental liaison that communicated required R&D activities from the DCDT to R&D, providing relevant information to the DCDT from R&D's perspective.
• Devised and maintained library of applicable crowd & riot control standards that assisted with design/manufacture of products that better protect and increase end-user operational endurance.
Industrial Design Technician
2001 to 2002
Conceptualized and realized new products for riot control, EOD, & body temperature regulation. Produced numerous materials test reports to industry performance standards. Actively participated in live blast testing programs to evaluate new EOD/UXO product.
• Designed, modeled, conducted/arranged performance validation tests, and drafted confidential technical specifications for knee and elbow protection for the Department of National Defence (DND), making Med-Eng Systems Inc. official supplier.
R&D Support Technician
2000 to 2001
Enthusiastic worker assisted with the design and implementation of new products in EOD and Mine Clearance.
Produced several reports contributing to official company product specifications.
• Designed new optically clear anti-fog appliqués to accommodate all company-made EOD and UXO helmet faceshields.
Education
Certificate in Project Risk Management Training
2011 to 2011
Solidworks CAD Training in Solidworks Essentials (2009), Solidworks Refresher (2010), Solidworks Sheet Metal (2010), Solidworks Surface Modeling (2010), 3DVIA Composer Essentials (2011)
2009 to 2011
Adobe Photoshop CS3 for Photographers
2008 to 2008
Adobe Illustrator CS Training
2007 to 2007
BACHELOR OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN W/MINOR IN PSYCHOLOGY
1997 to 2006
Certificate in Problem Solving
2003 to 2003
Certificate in Value Analysis/Value Engineering
2003 to 2003
Design For Manufacture & Assembly - DFMA
2002 to 2002
Skills
Graphics & Technical Presentation: Adobe Create Suite CS3, 3DVia Composer, Quark; CAD Tools: Solidworks, Unigraphics Solid Edge; Advanced User of Aras Innovator PLM Software; Various Sketching/Rendering/Conceptualization/ & Modeling/prototyping Techniques; Microsoft Office Suite 2010; Project Management; Product Life Cycle Management, Materials & Subcontractor Networking, Textiles expertise,US Berry Amendment Compliance
Awards
Performance Excellence Bonus Award - Allen Vanguard Corporation
October 2011
In recognition of efforts as Systems Engineering Lead on the Saudi EOD Tactical Program, Department of National Defense 1111 EOD Contract, and the US ARMY Natick Advanced Bomb Suit Spares Program
5-Year Service Award - Allen Vanguard Corporation
July 2011
In recognition on ongoing contribution and commitment
Performance Excellence Bonus Award - Allen Vanguard Corporation
March 2011
For achievements as Project Engineer on the EOD Tactical Program in Fiscal 2011
Performance Excellence Bonus Award - Allen Vanguard Corporation
December 2008
In recognition of extensive effort in implementing Enterprise Change Requests as part of Product Support Specialist position
Employee`s Choice Award - Med-Eng Systems, Inc.
December 2006
For day-to-day consistent efforts in ensuring the dynamic priorities of the softgoods design team were fulfilled.
Employee`s Choice Award - Med-Eng Systems, Inc.
October 2006
For achievements as the Documentation Specialist in the timely implementation of the IDAS TDP package.
Product Development Award - Med-Eng Systems, Inc.
2001
Received award for playing a key role in the design and launch of the 1st Gate Process Product Launch, the V-TOP Visor Tear-Off.
Certifications
BID - Industrial Designer
May 2006 to Present
Bachelor of Industrial Design
Patents
PROTECTIVE BODY SUIT(#D635,304 S)
March 2011
ORNAMENTAL DESIGN OF NEXT GENERATION RIOT HELMET(#D531,762 S)
March 2004
ORNAMENTAL DESIGN FOR AN UPPER BODY PROTECTIVE ENSEMBLE(#D516,252 S )
January 2005
ORNAMENTAL DESIGN FOR A GARMENT WITH SHOULDER (#D531,389 S )
January 2005
Additional Information
REGISTERED INDUSTRIAL DESIGNS:
1. PROTECTIVE BODY SUIT
Co-inventor, Canadian Industrial Design, Registration #137518
Registered Proprietor: Allen-Vanguard Corporation
2. PROTECTIVE BODY SUIT
Co-inventor, Canadian Industrial Design, Registration #138064
Registered Proprietor: Allen-Vanguard Corporation
3. PROTECTIVE BODY SUIT
Co-inventor, IP Australia, Design #14932/2010
Registered Owner: Allen-Vanguard Technology Inc.
4. OVERGARMENT PROTECTIVE SHORTS - PENDING
Co-inventor, US Industrial Design Application #39/415,124
Registered Applicant: Allen-Vanguard Corporation
