Richard Shults

About Richard Shults

Mechanical Engineer | Product Design & Manufacturing | DFM | Lean | Cross-Functional LeadershipI’m a hands-on Product Design Engineer and Engineering Manager with 25+ years of experience leading complex programs across diesel fuel filtration, heat exchangers, and lube oil system design for the commercial vehicle industry. I bring a rare blend of mechanical design, manufacturing engineering, and cross-functional project leadership—delivering products from concept through validation, into full-scale production.My expertise spans plastic injection molding, die casting, CNC machining, and design for manufacturability (DFM). I’ve guided cradle-to-grave product development, led teams through new product introductions (NPI), and driven continuous improvement through Lean principles and capital project execution. Core strengths:Mechanical design engineering & team leadershipDFM, PFMEA, Lean manufacturing, continuous improvementCAD & PLM systems: Creo, Inventor, CATIA, AutoCAD, ENOVIA, Agile PLM, 3DXBOM/routing development, ECN management, manufacturing supportCapital equipment sourcing, plant layout optimizationPrototype validation, tooling readiness, production ramp-upI\'m passionate about solving real-world problems with smart engineering and building sustainable, efficient designs that deliver long-term value. I thrive in cross-functional environments and enjoy mentoring teams, improving processes, and contributing to meaningful, high-impact work. Now open to opportunities as a Product Design Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Engineering Manager, or Advanced Manufacturing Leader—within Central California, the Bay Area, or remote/hybrid settings.Let’s connect!

Experience

1. Liaison Engineer

   GILLIG

   Nov 2025 — Present · Livermore, CA, US

   Serving as a key interface between engineering and manufacturing teams to ensure product designs are efficiently and effectively translated into production. Responsible for resolving design/manufacturing issues, implementing corrective actions, and driving continuous improvement across build processes and product quality.

Education

• Gustine High School

  H.S. Diploma, College Prep.

  1984 — 1986

• University of the Pacific

  B.S., Mechanical Engineering

  1986 — 1991

• Oregon State University

  Master's Engineering Management (M.Eng), Engineering Management

  2015 — 2018