Associate Consultant
Christopher Hoo, PhD
Christopher Hoo
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Experienced NPI/NPD Engineer with a background in Aerospace, Defense and Biomedical sectors.
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SKILLS
Analytical: Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and energy backscattered diffraction (EBSD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), mechanical testing such as tensile, hardness, fracture, and microstructure analysis.
Laboratory: Class 1000/100 clean room experience, glove box and reactive chemical experience.
Software: Abaqus FEA, Fortan, Matlab, KaleidaGraph, Minitab, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project, TableCurve 3D.
Materials Synthesis: Ceramic synthesis and processing using conventional sintering, hot pressing, spark plasma sintering (SPS), slip casting and hot isostatic pressing (HIP).
CERTIFICATIONS
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
April 2022 – February 2024
Fluxergy - Program Management, Manager
Irvine, CA
May 2021 – April 2022
Avon Protection Systems - Manager, New Product Introduction
Irvine, CA
January 2020 – May 2021
Avon Protection Systems - NPI Project Engineering Lead
Irvine, CA
Effective 1/2/2020, 3M completed its sale of Ceradyne to Avon Protection.
March 2017 – January 2020
3M Ceradyne - Project Engineer, New Product Introduction
Irvine, CA
July 2013 – March 2017
Ametek Aerospace and Defense - Principal Project Engineer
Irvine, CA
January 2014 – Present
University of California, Irvine - Lecturer
Irvine, CA
March 2012 – October 2013
Ceramic Quality Solutions - Director, Materials Science Engineering
West Hollywood, CA
September 2006 – March 2012
University of California - Graduate Student
Irvine, CA
EDUCATION
July 2008 – March 2012
Ph.D. Materials Science & Engineering
University of California, Irvine
Irvine, CA
Dissertation title: The Optical and Mechanical Properties of Multiphase Ceramics
September 2006 – June 2008
M.S. Materials Science & Engineering
University of California, Irvine
Irvine, CA
September 2001 – June 2006
B.S. Materials Science & Engineering
University of California, Irvine
Irvine, CA
Analytical: Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and energy backscattered diffraction (EBSD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), mechanical testing such as tensile, hardness, fracture, and microstructure analysis.
Laboratory: Class 1000/100 clean room experience, glove box and reactive chemical experience.
Software: Abaqus FEA, Fortan, Matlab, KaleidaGraph, Minitab, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project, TableCurve 3D.
Materials Synthesis: Ceramic synthesis and processing using conventional sintering, hot pressing, spark plasma sintering (SPS), slip casting and hot isostatic pressing (HIP).
CERTIFICATIONS
- Green Belt, Issued by 3M
- ISO 13485 Audit Certification, Issued by Quality Support Group (QSG)
- 21 CFR, Part 820, Certification, Issued by Quality Support Group (QSG)
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
April 2022 – February 2024
Fluxergy - Program Management, Manager
Irvine, CA
- Oversee all NPD projects for PCR, microfluidics and lateral flow assay point of care platforms. Includes design review planning, execution, closure of actions and design history file (DHF) completion.
- Coordinate project activities and milestones between Molecular R&D, Fluidics R&D, Molecular Production, Biology, Automation, Software Development, Sales &Marketing, Quality and Regulatory.
- Review all technical documents to ensure Technical Readiness Levels (TRLs) have been achieved.
- Review all manufacturing documentation (BOMs, process flows and work instructions) to ensure proper design transfer to production.
- Performed Verification and Validation on PCR and LFA product platforms.
- Manage R&D milestones for partnership with Austere environments Consortium for Enhanced Sepsis Outcomes (ACESO), administered by The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc. (HJF).
- Developed continuous improvement culture and standardized Program/Project Management processes and tools for all activities from NPD to full commercialization.
- Oversaw and implemented design improvements to respiratory multiplex panel resulting in a performance improvement from 71% to 93% positive agreement for all assay targets.
May 2021 – April 2022
Avon Protection Systems - Manager, New Product Introduction
Irvine, CA
- Ownership of product lifecycles from the Research and Development Gate to the Production Scale Up Gate.
- Managed 5 NPI programs across 2 value streams for 3 manufacturing facilities across the United States which included cross functional teams from Research and Development, Supply Chain, Quality, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Process Technology and Environment Health and Safety. Cumulative programs worth $1.5 billion.
- Oversaw cost saving initiatives for NPI, Scale Up and Full Production Gate phases totaling $1.3 million in savings across supply chain and production.
- Led manufacturing readiness activities such as DFMEA and design validation and manufacturing validation (DV/MV).
- Led installation qualification, operational qualification and performance qualification (IQ, OQ, PQ) for automated manufacturing cells.
- Regularly interfaced with executive steering committee to provide NPI program updates, forecasts and technology milestones to allow for strategic planning and business development activities.
- University and entrepreneurial relations officer for identification of disruptive technologies. Identified and implemented 3 disruptive technologies to new product development projects for future product bring to market programs.
January 2020 – May 2021
Avon Protection Systems - NPI Project Engineering Lead
Irvine, CA
Effective 1/2/2020, 3M completed its sale of Ceradyne to Avon Protection.
- NPI Project Engineer at Ceradyne an Avon Protection Company.
- Led NPI activities that resulted in Avon securing $600M in long-term body armor contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense. Contracts are the largest contract awards in Avon’s history and cover the acquisition of Ceradyne from 3M. Awarded contracts also enabled the immediate investment of $5M across 3 Avon facilities to upgrade manufacturing infrastructure.
- Performed layered process audits for multiple production lines, addressed CAPAs and non- conformances, created BOMs, routers, work instructions, FMEAs, material receiving/inspection reports and product control plans.
- Developed manufacturing process flows for 5+ manufacturing lines.
- Created technical data packages (TDPs) and production process packages (PPPs) for 7 new product launches.
- Developed ceramic composites for enhanced ballistic protection in partnership with the University of California, Irvine. Materials analyzed by SEM, EDS and load frame testing. Composites slated for next generation armor to expand Avon’s product portfolio.
- Mechanical analysis of composite tow geometries and resin systems for design manufacturing feasibility.
- Adhesives research for bonding ceramic, composite, metallic, polymer and textile systems.
- Mentored and trained 4 new hires (2 Quality Engineers, 1 NPI Engineer and 1 Process Engineer).
March 2017 – January 2020
3M Ceradyne - Project Engineer, New Product Introduction
Irvine, CA
- New product introduction (NPI) Project Engineer at Ceradyne a 3M Company, Advanced Material Division.
- Responsible for NPI projects that accounted for 55% of the 3M defense portfolio.
- Ensured manufacturing readiness for 3 programs totaling $400M+ in contract awards using lean six sigma methodology.
- Managed and led large scale product launch projects including partnering with cross-functional teams (Planning, Sourcing, Manufacturing, Quality, Research & Development and Engineering) on the integration of New Products into manufacturing.
- Ensured projects hit Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) and Manufacturing Readiness Levels (MRLs) to meet contract milestones.
- Transferred processes from R&D to Manufacturing using project management, design for manufacturability and cost, process/design excellence, LEAN, ergonomics and knowledge transfer methodologies to ensure effective implementation of equipment, processes, and new technology.
- Creation and management of Engineering Change Requests (ECRs).
- Awarded the 3M 2018 Corporate Quality Achievement Award for “demonstrating exceptional leadership and achievements in the field of Quality” that enabled more than $69 million dollars in contracts.
- Awarded the 3M 2018 Golden Step Award recognizing teams that have implemented “programs that have generated more than $20M in profitable annual sales within 3 years of introduction”
July 2013 – March 2017
Ametek Aerospace and Defense - Principal Project Engineer
Irvine, CA
- New Product Development (NPD) team leader for next generation products with a program revenue of $60 million.
- Successfully transferred 4 newly developed products from research and development (R&D) to production.
- Implemented processing and quality control changes to manufacturing line that resulted in increased yields from 55% to 98%. through rigorous materials characterization and product process understanding (PPU). Enabled on time, in full delivery to customer and preserved company reputation.
- Developed SOPs, work instructions and validated process controls by identifying sample size, acceptable error and confidence limits.
- Performed root cause analysis (RCA) of development devices, field returns and production units.
- Project lead for development of high temperature piezoceramic accelerators, value analysis/value engineered (VAVE) material consumption and active brazing of silicon on insulator (SOI) devices for high accuracy sensors.
- Failure analysis on ceramic and metallic systems using dye penetration, 3D CT-scanning, SEM and EDS.
- Performed qualification of parts per RTCA DO-160G.
- Materials project engineer for prototype ceramic matrix composite jet turbine engine components.
- Materials research and development lead for polymer potting compounds, metal and ceramic alloys.
January 2014 – Present
University of California, Irvine - Lecturer
Irvine, CA
- Instructor for the joint materials science and biomedical engineering senior capstone class. Students work on interdisciplinary teams in collaboration with industry mentors, UC Irvine faculty and UC Irvine Applied Innovation to develop and market next generation solutions to current biomedical engineering issues. Class topics include FDA regulations, design for manufacturing, lean manufacturing, materials biocompatibility and device qualification.
- Collaborate with UC patent office to patent intellectual property for device commercialization. Strong collaboration with local incubators to market their devices.
- Principal Investigator: Titanium niobium alloy development for spinal fixation rods. Project done in collaboration with Hoag Orthopedics.
- Principal Investigator: Amorphous titanium metal alloy development for 3D printing. Project done in collaboration with Amorphology LLC.
- Principal Investigator: Haynes alloy development for 3D printing rocket nozzles. Project done in collaboration with Relativity Space.
March 2012 – October 2013
Ceramic Quality Solutions - Director, Materials Science Engineering
West Hollywood, CA
- Lead materials engineer managing the development of a prototype characterization device to non- destructively test silicon nitride ball bearings for space applications.
- Conducted FEA using Abaqus to determine ceramic crack propagation as a function of loading conditions and geometry.
- Oversaw device design and characterization, design of experiments and repeatability/reproducibility of device measurements.
- Developed research proposals and prepared grants for SBIR proposals in addition to staying up to date with current state-of-the-art principles and theories.
- Regularly interfaced with investors and potential partners.
September 2006 – March 2012
University of California - Graduate Student
Irvine, CA
- Developed a translucent, superplastic, multiphase ceramic composite with superior mechanical properties.
- Synthesis of a non-toxic, water soluble polymer ceramic composite to house mosquito larvae control agent bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (BTI). Composite designed for deployment in third world countries to combat malaria. Research funded by the Bill Melinda Gates Foundation.
- Collaborative research with the Beckman Laser Institute to develop experimental testing of cadaver teeth exposure to prototype dental gels.
- Ceramic synthesis and processing using conventional sintering, hot pressing, SPS, slip casting and HIP.
- Multiphase ceramic composite experience with zirconia, spinels, alumina, mullite and monazite.
- Metrology study of functionalized nanoparticle coatings.
EDUCATION
July 2008 – March 2012
Ph.D. Materials Science & Engineering
University of California, Irvine
Irvine, CA
Dissertation title: The Optical and Mechanical Properties of Multiphase Ceramics
September 2006 – June 2008
M.S. Materials Science & Engineering
University of California, Irvine
Irvine, CA
September 2001 – June 2006
B.S. Materials Science & Engineering
University of California, Irvine
Irvine, CA