steve stearns

Suspension & Steering Systems Lead

Worked as a key coordinator responsible for training of GM engineering and manufacturing visitors in lean manufacturing tools and error proofing strategies. Handled active knowledge transfer from the joint venture to GM.

* Managed hourly and salaried employees in the development and maintenance of the quality operating system. * Developed and coordinated the assembly plant quality plan to align with the GM North America vision. * Coordinated plant quality remediation and review processes. * Assured that ISO-9002 certification standards were met and maintained. * Coached and developed quality professionals within the organization.

* Special assignment – organized and implemented a dimensional improvement process for the body-in-white to reduce dimensional variation and improve customer satisfaction with all body related concerns. * Ran day-to-day production operations, coordinated supervisors’ daily production and support needs. * Managed body shop dimensional team in reducing variation using the corporate Enabler 31 process. * Coached team members in problem solving for dimensional integrity and quality issues. * Led reliability engineers and residents in resolution of supplied part quality concerns. * Assessed tooling impact on variation reduction and prioritized maintenance efforts and expenditures.

* Managed a group of salaried and contract engineers and administrators in quality and productivity improvement projects for continuous improvement of the Chevrolet Astro and GMC Safari vans. * Directed analysis of customer feedback metrics to reveal opportunities for improvement. * Developed a design/build scheme to remove encapsulation from fixed glass resulting in a $20 per vehicle cost reduction beginning in 2003 model year. * Coached new engineers and plant personnel in technical problem solving.

* Roles: Development Lead Engineer, Development Engineer, Senior Experimental Engineer, Experimental and Associate Engineer * Notable Accomplishments: * Benchmarked competitive light trucks for all noise and vibration, ride and handling, and steering performance. * Coordinated build and testing of suspension mule vehicles to demonstrate performance targets for 1998 Silverado. * Developed new integral gear steering system and first GM truck usage of rack & pinion steering. * Awarded US patent for a newly designed tunable steering mount bushing. * Defined interior and under-hood noise targets for the 1996 full size van and developed a plan to meet objectives. * Conducted nationwide customer data acquisition study of motorhome suspension loads for test correlation. * Completed ShaininSM Red X Journeyman certification, Professional Engineer license, Michigan (No. 35659).

Noise & Vibration Engineer - Current & Future Full Size Trucks Responsible for driveline noise and vibration performance at the total vehicle level.

At General Motors, we are passionate about designing, building and selling the world's best vehicles. This vision unites us as a team each and every day and is the hallmark of our customer-driven culture. We set high standards for our company so that we can give you the best cars, trucks and SUVs. It's our commitment to deliver vehicles with compelling designs, flawless quality and reliability, and leading safety, fuel economy and infotainment features. The very things that create that special bond between driver and vehicle. Whether it's a Chevrolet, Cadillac or GMC, making the world's best vehicles can only happen with the world's greatest employees. We take great pride in our work, and take great care to deliver exceptional cars and a positive ownership experience to our customers in 140 countries around the world.