Chris Goodin

About Chris Goodin

I’m a Senior Quality Engineer with a deep background in technical operations, fleet readiness, and process improvement — focused on building high-reliability systems that keep people, products, and operations safe. After 21 years of Air Force leadership overseeing large-scale maintenance, quality assurance, and multimillion-dollar assets, I transitioned into civilian tech and now support high-growth engineering environments with a data-driven, systems-level mindset.I specialize in analyzing failures, optimizing workflows, and designing quality processes that scale. My experience includes leading teams of 200+, managing enterprise maintenance programs, and driving improvements across production, fleet operations, and compliance. I excel in environments where precision, accountability, and continuous improvement are essential.What motivates me most is developing teams, improving operational discipline, and elevating quality standards so organizations can grow sustainably and safely.Core Strengths & Focus Areas:Quality Engineering & Technical Problem SolvingRoot Cause Analysis (8D, 5 Whys, Fishbone, Pareto)Fleet Operations & Production QualityProcess Improvement (Lean / Continuous Improvement)Cross-Functional Leadership & CommunicationData-Driven Decision Making & KPI DevelopmentRisk Mitigation & Safety/Compliance IntegrationProject & Program Management (PMP)Leadership Philosophy:I believe quality is not just a function — it’s a mindset. My leadership style blends structured process oversight with mentorship, accountability, and collaboration to help teams deliver reliable, high-quality results at scale.

Experience

1. Senior Quality Engineer - Production & Fleet Operations

   Vay

   Sep 2025 — Present

   I lead quality systems, root-cause investigations, and process improvements that enhance the safety, reliability, and performance of a rapidly scaling vehicle fleet. I work cross-functionally with engineering, production, field operations, and remote-driving teams to identify defects, analyze trends, and implement solutions that reduce failures and optimize operational uptime.Key ResponsibilitiesDrive end-to-end quality investigations using structured methodologies (8D, 5 Whys, Fishbone, Pareto) to resolve vehicle, sensor, hardware, and production issues.Analyze fleet performance data, failure modes, and maintenance trends to identify systemic issues and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).Develop quality dashboards, KPIs, and reporting mechanisms to provide real-time visibility into fleet health, quality alerts, and operational risks.Collaborate with engineering teams to validate new components, review technical changes, and ensure design/production feedback loops are tightly integrated.Lead inspections, audits, and verification activities across vehicles, production lines, and field operations to maintain compliance with internal quality standards.Partner with production and field teams to standardize work instructions, improve build quality, and reduce rework through process refinement and training.Manage quality alerts, defect tracking, and documentation in Odoo, Jira, Confluence, and other quality systems to maintain traceability and accountability.Provide leadership and mentorship to technicians and operators, reinforcing a culture of quality, safety, and continuous improvement.Support readiness and scaling initiatives by improving operational reliability, optimizing maintenance workflows, and eliminating root-cause failures.

Education

• The University of Arizona Global Campus

  Bachelor of Arts - BA, Operations Management and Analysis