Felipe Vazquez

Engineering and Operations Manager with 11+ years of experience leading automotive electronics manufacturing, industrialization, program management, and cross-functional operations within global OEM and Tier-1 environments. Proven success managing multimillion-dollar business portfolios, leading engineering and manufacturing teams, driving operational excellence, protecting profitability, and executing complex product launches from quotation through mass production. Experienced in P&L support, strategic planning, capacity management, customer relationship management, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Recognized for building high-performing teams, optimizing operational KPIs, and aligning business objectives with customer expectations.

SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER at Melecs Electronics (2023-03 – Present)

Global Tier-2 automotive electronics manufacturer specializing in Printed Circuit Board Assemblies (PCBAs). Accountable for the end-to-end management of strategic programs and customer accounts, overseeing a customer portfolio valued at more than USD 2.3 million and reporting directly to the executive leadership team. Lead a multidisciplinary team of 15–20 professionals across Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Purchasing, ensuring successful program execution, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction.

• Manage the full program lifecycle, from quotation and industrialization through production ramp-up and serial manufacturing.
• Monitor program profitability, cost performance, and margin protection to achieve financial targets.
• Support commercial negotiations, quotation activities, and make-versus-buy decisions.
• Participate in CAPEX evaluation, business case development, and investment justification.
• Align customer demand forecasts with manufacturing capacity and production planning.
• Lead APQP, PPAP, industrialization, product launches, and ramp-up activities.
• Manage customer escalations, operational risks, and recovery plans to ensure business continuity.
• Conduct performance evaluations, coach team members, and support talent development initiatives.
• Drive continuous improvement projects focused on productivity, quality, delivery performance, and cost reduction.
• Achieved and sustained 80% OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness).
• Maintained 99% FPY (First Pass Yield) across production operations.
• Reduced and sustained scrap levels below 0.5%.
• Consistently achieved 15–20 Customer PPM quality performance.
• Delivered a 100% PPAP approval rate for customer submissions.
• Maintained strong OTIF/OTD (On-Time In-Full / On-Time Delivery) performance, ensuring high customer satisfaction.

Founder & Senior Project Leader at VAX BOT (2021-01 – 2023-02)

Founded and led an industrial automation and robotics startup focused on AGVs and advanced manufacturing solutions. Responsible for business strategy, commercial development, technology roadmap definition, project portfolio management, and operational execution, while navigating the challenges of the global supply chain crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic.

SENIOR R&D PRODUCT ENGINEER at Grupo CIPSA (2017-06 – 2021-02)

Leading Mexican manufacturer of construction and industrial equipment, specializing in the design, development, production, and commercialization of innovative solutions for infrastructure, construction, energy, and industrial markets across the Americas. Reporting directly to the Engineering Manager, leading multidisciplinary engineering activities focused on product innovation, design, validation, and industrialization. Managed multidisciplinary engineering teams.

• Led the end-to-end development of innovative products and advanced engineering solutions, from concept design through validation and product launch.
• Managed multidisciplinary engineering projects involving mechanical, electrical, automation, and control system development.
• Defined product requirements, technical specifications, validation plans, and design verification strategies.
• Designed electrical architectures, photovoltaic systems, Siemens PLC-based automation solutions, and industrial control systems.
• Coordinated prototype development, testing, validation, and product industrialization activities.
• Collaborated with suppliers, manufacturing teams, and commercial stakeholders to support product launches and business growth initiatives.
• Provided technical leadership for feasibility studies, customer proposals, and innovation-driven engineering projects.
• Supported continuous improvement initiatives focused on product performance, reliability, manufacturability, and development efficiency.
• Successfully led R&D initiatives for autonomous electric vehicle platforms, mechatronic systems, and innovative industrial products.
• Reduced product development cycle times through the implementation of structured testing and validation methodologies.
• Developed complex electrical architectures and renewable energy solutions integrating Siemens PLC and industrial automation technologies.
• Supported commercial growth by delivering innovative engineering solutions aligned with customer and market requirements.
• Accelerated product readiness and market introduction through robust engineering validation and cross-functional project leadership.

ENGINEERING & ROBOTICS SPECIALIST at CIDESI (2014-01 – 2016-12)

Mexican National Research and Technology Center specializing in applied research, industrial automation, robotics, advanced manufacturing, systems integration, and technology transfer for the automotive, aerospace, electronics, and industrial sectors. Reporting to senior engineering leadership, supporting multidisciplinary projects focused on robotics integration, automation systems, mechatronic development, and manufacturing process optimization.

• Developed and validated industrial robotics, automation, and mechatronic systems for advanced manufacturing applications.
• Built systems integration models combining mechanical design, simulation, controls, and robotic validation.
• Improved production and manufacturing processes through electrical testing, rapid prototyping, and technical validation.
• Supported applied R&D and technology transfer projects for automotive and industrial sectors.

Master's Degree in Mechatronics – UPAEP (2018-07 – 2020-12)

Bachelor's Degree in Mechatronics Engineering – ITST (2012-08 – 2016-12)