Eric Gronefeld
Savannah,GA
Summary
Experienced Aerospace Structural Mechanic with 2+ years of direct aircraft structural manufacturing experience at Gulfstream Aerospace and current hands-on experience as an Industrial Technician specializing in precision fabrication and manufacturing. Demonstrated expertise in aircraft structural assembly, blueprint and engineering drawing interpretation, CATIA, drilling, reaming, countersinking, riveting, structural fitting, precision measurement, dimensional inspection, and aerospace-quality workmanship. Current manufacturing experience includes operating FLOW CNC-style waterjet equipment, hydraulic presses and dies, and fabricating precision gaskets from metallic and non-metallic materials to application-specific and industry standards. Adept at identifying discrepancies, maintaining tight tolerances, troubleshooting production issues, managing multiple priorities, and meeting demanding production schedules. Safety-focused, mechanically skilled, and accustomed to working in highly controlled manufacturing environments where quality, precision, productivity, and attention to detail are critical.
Overview
1
1
Certification
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Industrial Technician
Savannah Rubber & Conveyor
Savannah, GA
04.2024 - Current
- Manufacture and fabricate application-specific industrial hoses and sealing products for a variety of chemical, industrial, and high-performance applications while maintaining strict dimensional, material, and quality requirements.
- Interpret customer specifications, work orders, technical documentation, drawings, measurements, and application requirements to determine appropriate materials, dimensions, fabrication methods, and production processes.
- Operate a FLOW CNC-style waterjet cutting system to precisely cut application-specific gaskets from a wide range of materials, including metallic and non-metallic materials, while maintaining required dimensions and tolerances.
- Set up and operate CNC-style cutting equipment by selecting appropriate cutting parameters, loading materials, verifying programmed patterns, and monitoring the cutting process for accuracy and quality.
- Fabricate precision gaskets from various materials based on application requirements, ensuring correct dimensions, bolt-hole patterns, inside/outside diameters, thicknesses, and overall configuration.
- Operate hydraulic presses and dedicated dies to punch and form gaskets to industry-standard specifications, maintaining consistency and repeatability throughout production runs.
- Perform accurate measurements and dimensional inspections using precision measuring tools to verify finished components meet specified requirements before release to production or shipment.
- Select gasket materials based on application-specific requirements, including chemical compatibility, temperature, pressure, equipment configuration, and intended service conditions.
- Inspect raw materials and finished products for dimensional accuracy, defects, damage, contamination, and other conditions that could affect product performance or quality.
- Identify manufacturing discrepancies and make appropriate process adjustments to maintain product quality, dimensional accuracy, and production efficiency.
- Operate hand tools, power tools, fabrication equipment, cutting equipment, hydraulic machinery, and other manufacturing equipment safely and efficiently.
- Maintain detailed attention to tolerances, measurements, specifications, material requirements, quality standards, and repeatability throughout the manufacturing process.
- Efficiently manage warehouse operations supporting daily order production, including material handling, inventory organization, order picking, staging, production preparation, packaging, and shipment coordination.
- Coordinate material availability with production requirements to ensure orders are completed accurately and efficiently while minimizing production delays.
- Prioritize multiple production orders and manage workflow to meet customer deadlines, production schedules, and shipping requirements in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Maintain accurate organization and identification of raw materials, finished products, tooling, equipment, and production orders to support efficient workflow and inventory control.
- Troubleshoot fabrication and production issues by evaluating material, equipment, tooling, dimensions, and process requirements to determine appropriate corrective actions.
- Follow established safety procedures, quality-control practices, equipment operating procedures, and material-handling requirements when working with industrial machinery and chemical-service products.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and efficient manufacturing and warehouse environment while adhering to workplace safety and housekeeping standards.
- Collaborate with production personnel, warehouse operations, management, and customers to resolve order requirements, production issues, material concerns, and scheduling priorities.
- Consistently balance production efficiency, precision workmanship, quality assurance, and customer requirements while completing multiple orders under time-sensitive production demands.
Structural Mechanic
Gulfstream Aerospace
Savannah, GA
03.2020 - 05.2023
- Performed precision aircraft structural assembly and installation of primary and secondary structural components in accordance with engineering drawings, specifications, work instructions, and aerospace manufacturing standards.
- Read and interpreted aircraft blueprints, engineering drawings, schematics, and manufacturing documentation to determine dimensions, tolerances, fastener locations, and assembly requirements.
- Utilized CATIA to ensure proper location and orientation of parts being installed per work order, supporting accurate aircraft structural assembly and compliance with engineering requirements.
- Drilled, reamed, countersunk, deburred, and prepared structural components for installation while maintaining required hole size, alignment, edge distance, and dimensional tolerances.
- Installed solid rivets and mechanical fasteners using pneumatic rivet guns, bucking bars, rivet squeezers, drills, reamers, countersinks, and precision hand tools.
- Assembled and fitted aircraft skins, frames, stringers, ribs, brackets, clips, doublers, panels, and related structural components.
- Performed structural fitting and alignment operations, ensuring proper component mating, hole alignment, gaps, flushness, and overall dimensional accuracy.
- Conducted detailed visual and dimensional inspections of structural assemblies to verify workmanship and compliance with engineering and quality requirements.
- Used precision measuring equipment including calipers, micrometers, scales, gauges, and other inspection tools to verify component dimensions and tolerances.
- Performed structural rework and repairs by removing damaged or nonconforming material, preparing replacement components, and completing approved repairs in accordance with engineering documentation.
- Applied aircraft sealants, primers, corrosion-prevention coatings, and other approved materials during structural assembly and repair operations.
- Identified and communicated structural discrepancies, quality issues, tooling concerns, and nonconforming conditions to leads, quality inspectors, and engineering personnel.
- Maintained strict FOD-control, tool-control, safety, and housekeeping standards within the aircraft manufacturing environment.
- Worked effectively with cross-functional teams including structural mechanics, quality assurance, manufacturing engineering, and production leadership to meet aircraft build requirements.
- Maintained high standards of workmanship and attention to detail while working under production schedules and quality requirements.
- Demonstrated proficiency with aerospace hand tools, pneumatic tools, power tools, precision measuring equipment, CATIA, and structural assembly tooling.
Contractor
E's Contract It All
10.2016 - 03.2021
- Performed hands-on fabrication, assembly, installation, repair, modification, and maintenance of structural and mechanical components for residential, commercial, and industrial projects.
- Interpreted construction drawings, sketches, measurements, specifications, and work instructions to determine material requirements, dimensions, assembly methods, and installation procedures.
- Measured, marked, cut, drilled, fitted, aligned, fastened, and assembled structural components while maintaining dimensional accuracy and proper fit-up.
- Utilized a wide range of hand tools, power tools, measuring instruments, and fabrication equipment to complete precision work safely and efficiently.
- Applied knowledge of structural integrity, load paths, fastening methods, material properties, alignment, tolerances, and proper assembly techniques when completing structural projects.
- Performed detailed inspections of completed work to identify dimensional discrepancies, improper fit, damaged components, fastening issues, and other quality concerns before final acceptance.
- Troubleshot structural and mechanical problems by identifying root causes, developing corrective actions, and implementing repairs or modifications while maintaining design and safety requirements.
- Selected appropriate materials, hardware, fasteners, tools, and installation methods based on project specifications, environmental conditions, structural requirements, and intended application.
- Maintained accurate measurements, material takeoffs, project documentation, work records, and job-related information to support quality, scheduling, and cost control.
- Followed established safety procedures and maintained a clean, organized work environment while performing physically demanding work around tools, equipment, materials, and elevated work areas.
- Managed multiple projects simultaneously, prioritizing work based on customer requirements, project deadlines, material availability, and quality expectations.
- Conducted pre-work planning and job-site assessments to identify potential hazards, determine required equipment and materials, and establish efficient work procedures.
- Demonstrated strong attention to detail when performing precision measurements, component fit-up, alignment, fastening, and final inspections.
- Worked independently with minimal supervision while maintaining accountability for workmanship, quality, safety, scheduling, and completion of assigned projects.
- Coordinated with customers, suppliers, subcontractors, and other trades to resolve technical issues, communicate project requirements, and maintain workflow.
- Diagnosed problems in existing structures and mechanical assemblies and determined practical repair, replacement, reinforcement, or modification solutions.
- Maintained and inspected tools and equipment to ensure proper operation, reliability, and safe working condition.
- Consistently adapted to changing project requirements and solved unexpected field problems while maintaining attention to safety, quality, and workmanship standards.
Education
Avionics Installation
Savannah Technical College
Savannah, GA07.2021
High School Diploma - Automotive Engineering
South Effingham High School
Guyton, GA05.2012
Skills
- Precision Manufacturing & Fabrication
- Aerospace/Industrial Manufacturing
- Structural Assembly & Fabrication
- CNC-Style Equipment Operation
- FLOW CNC Waterjet Operation
- Hydraulic Press Operation
- Die Pressing & Forming
- Gasket Fabrication
- Sheet/Metal Material Processing
- Metallic & Non-Metallic Materials
- Blueprint & Technical Drawing Interpretation
- Work Orders & Manufacturing Specifications
- Precision Measurement & Dimensional Inspection
- Quality Control & Inspection
- Manufacturing Tolerances
- Material Selection
- Production Planning & Order Fulfillment
- Warehouse Operations
- Inventory Control & Material Handling
- Hand & Power Tools
- Manufacturing Equipment Setup
- Production Troubleshooting
- Process Improvement
- Safety & Quality Procedures
- FOD Prevention / Clean Work Environment
- Cross-Functional Team Collaboration
- Production Scheduling & Prioritization
Certification
Avionics installer
Timeline
Industrial Technician
Savannah Rubber & Conveyor
04.2024 - Current
Structural Mechanic
Gulfstream Aerospace
03.2020 - 05.2023
Contractor
E's Contract It All
10.2016 - 03.2021
Avionics Installation
Savannah Technical College
High School Diploma - Automotive Engineering
South Effingham High School