Dillon Oliner
Jefferson
Summary
Validation Engineer with extensive experience in testing and verifying software, hardware, and systems across diverse industries. Proficient in developing detailed validation plans, executing tests, and documenting results, leading to improved product quality and reduced project time and costs. Strong skills in project installation management and innovative testing strategies, ensuring compliance with industry regulations and standards. Committed to continuous education and professional growth, with a focus on obtaining a bachelor's degree in Electronic Systems Engineering.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Antenna Validation Engineer
Safran Defense & Space Inc
Norcross
12.2024 - Current
- Conduct system- and component-level validation of telemetry and space antenna systems, including acceptance testing, commissioning, and troubleshooting.
- Develop and execute test procedures, document results, and maintain hardware and software configuration records.
- Provide remote and onsite customer support and training, participate in continuous improvement initiatives, and support field validation activities while ensuring safety and compliance with quality standards.
- Successfully commissioned and validated 5 critical antenna systems, ensuring full compliance with customer requirements.
- Led multiple dry runs and Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) for critical projects.
- Prevented schedule and installation issues during a high-profile system installation by reviewing tower drawings, schematics, and site survey data, identifying the need to modify the customer’s 70' tower.
- Entrusted to train and mentor a new Field Application Engineer, overseeing their development and ensuring readiness for field validation activities.
Antenna Electrical/Mechanical Technician
Safran Defense & Space Inc
Norcross
07.2020 - 12.2024
- Based primarily out of the Norcross office, performed mechanical and electrical integration, retrofits, system configuration, calibration, and validation during customer Factory Acceptance Tests.
- Assembled, wired, and tested electrical cabinets and cable terminations in compliance with Class III IPC/WHMA-A-620 standards.
- Created lift plans and directed safe use of cranes, forklifts, telehandlers, and aerial lift equipment.
- Delivered remote troubleshooting, maintenance, upgrades, and retrofit support while ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards.
- In addition to office-based responsibilities, supported more than 10 onsite system installations and retrofits at remote DoD sites from Florida to Alaska, working with flight test, ground station, and satellite situational awareness systems, including LEO, MEO, and GEO link antennas from 1.8m to over 9m mounted on towers, ships, trailers, and pads.
- Entrusted to manage and successfully deliver 10+ critical system installations, handling all aspects in remote and harsh environments.
- First at SDSi to successfully perform photogrammetry on three reflectors, achieving strict RMS values required for Ka-band performance.
- Stepped beyond core technician responsibilities to support the validation team, successfully leading a Factory Acceptance Test for a critical project; continued performing Validation Engineer functions for 2 years before promotion in Q4 2024.
- Consistently received Exceeds Expectations ratings on annual performance reviews.
- Recognized for maintaining high safety standards and achieving customer satisfaction through timely delivery and technical expertise.
- Contributed to process improvements that reduced installation time and improved system reliability.
Quality Auditor
MN Aerospace
Suwannee
11.2019 - 07.2020
- Used customer drawings, material quality inspection program, and quality specifications to pass and sign-off on first and last piece inspections for all stations involved.
- These included: Reaming, Sanding, Marking, Forming, and Welding.
- Learned and worked in all three quality inspection gates that involved 100% order inspection throughout the manufacturing process.
- Used height gauges, calipers, profile form gauges, and diameter pins to ensure strict customer quality standards were met.
- By using the customer drawings, tolerances, and knowledge of strict quality specifications, I was able to keep high-quality standards on over 700 different bracket assemblies, including first articles.
- I was also able to keep production costs low by rejecting non-conforming parts and adjusting different production programs to match customer tolerances and expectations.
Quality Auditor
Bitzer US Scroll Shell Department
Flowery Branch
10.2018 - 11.2019
- Worked with the Quality Engineer to create a Quality check list and time frame for various inspections/measurements as well as an Excel sheet for daily data entry.
- Used bore gauges to measure and ensure shell diameter met customer tolerances and would use the measurements to adjust the expander program as needed.
- Used height gauge to verify perpendicularity tolerance and would adjust the Re-trim program as needed.
- Visually inspected welds to ensure no porosity, spatter, under-cut, over-lap, positioning and would adjust the Robotic welder as needed.
- Learned and worked in all 6 manufacturing positions involved in Scroll shell production which involved seam welder, expander, CNC machine, Robotic welder, Re-trim CNC machine, and cleaning/shipping.
- Created a quality check list and routine to ensure all production met customer expectations.
- Increased passing rate of X-ray/Magnetic particle tested shells from 50 percent to over 90 percent.
Product Quality Technician
Caterpillar Small Track Type Tractor, Fabrication Facility
Athens
01.2018 - 10.2018
- Updating and improving quality gate checks based off defect reports.
- Filling out Rapid Defect/Vital Five Forms on the parties involved that created a defect or when a defect is reported from the customer to drive improvements.
- Tracking vital information from the SAP operational program.
- Reporting supplier defects to supplier quality and management.
- Containing defects by inspecting down-line from where the defect was found to eliminate the possibility of future defect escapes.
- Completed 6 Sigma Green Belt, Geometric Tolerance and Design, and Print Reading courses through Caterpillar Learning Management System.
- I passed and received a visual weld auditing certificate.
- Completed over 20 hours of hands-on experience with the ROMER Metrology Arm and successfully ran two different programs to measure and ensure parts were within tolerance.
- Earned my Associates Degree in Business Administration with the help of Caterpillar’s LEAP (Tuition Assistance) program.
Education
IPC/WHMA-A-620 Electrical Cable and Wire Assemblies -
Dekra
06.2021
AS9100D Internal Auditor Certificate -
Dekra
04.2021
6 Sigma Green Belt Certificate -
Caterpillar Learning Management System
08.2018
Associate’s degree - Business Administration
Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA05.2018
Visual Weld Auditing Certificate -
Caterpillar Learning Management System
01.2018
Skills
- System validation
- Remote troubleshooting
- Equipment calibration
- Project management
- Customer support
- Continuous improvement
- Team collaboration
- Engineering systems testing
Timeline
Antenna Validation Engineer
Safran Defense & Space Inc
12.2024 - Current
Antenna Electrical/Mechanical Technician
Safran Defense & Space Inc
07.2020 - 12.2024
Quality Auditor
MN Aerospace
11.2019 - 07.2020
Quality Auditor
Bitzer US Scroll Shell Department
10.2018 - 11.2019
Product Quality Technician
Caterpillar Small Track Type Tractor, Fabrication Facility
01.2018 - 10.2018
IPC/WHMA-A-620 Electrical Cable and Wire Assemblies -
Dekra
AS9100D Internal Auditor Certificate -
Dekra
6 Sigma Green Belt Certificate -
Caterpillar Learning Management System
Associate’s degree - Business Administration
Georgia State University
Visual Weld Auditing Certificate -
Caterpillar Learning Management System