STEVE BRUNE  
  7547 Watford Dr. (248) 417-4351
  West Bloomfield, MI 48322 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ELECTRICAL ENGINEER


Problem Analysis  •  Component Electronics  •  Product Validation


Requirements-driven Electrical Engineer with a strong technical background focused on electronic testing. Experience includes 12 Volt starter batteries, 48 Volt batteries, high voltage batteries, telematics, restraint module electronics, DC motors, fastener tightening systems, torque sensors and torque monitoring equipment. Goal-oriented with a commitment to quality. Capacity to plan, organize and handle details. Proven problem-solving skills and versatility. Able to work effectively under pressure with minimal supervision.


CORE COMPETENCIES

  • Embedded Electronics   
  • Manufacturing Support   
  • Product Validation   
  • Quality Focused   
  • Automated Testing   
  • Problem Analysis   

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
 

 

A123 SYSTEMS LLC, Novi, MI 2019 – 2024
Validation Manager (November 2019 - Present)
Manage a group of Engineers performing CV, DV and PV testing batteries.
  • 12 V, 40 Ah Crash starter batteries
  • 12 V, 40 Ah Non-crash starter batteries
  • 12 V, 60 Ah starter batteries
  • 48 V, 37 Ah Battery
  • 48 V, 20 Ah Battery
  • Residential Energy Storage System

 

WBPA (WEST BLOOMFIELD PLACE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION), West Bloomfield, MI 2004 – Present
Director (July, 2015 – Present)
President (2004 – July, 2015)
  • Develop a workable budget, keeping in mind the needs, requirements and expectations of the community
  • Act on budget items and determine assessment rates
  • Establish, publicize, and enforce rules and penalties
  • Authorize legal action against owners who do not comply with the rules
  • Appoint committees and delegate authority to them
  • Select an attorney, an auditor, insurance agent and other professionals for the association
  • Provide adequate insurance coverage, as required by the bylaws and local governmental agencies
  • Inform members of important board decisions and transactions
  • Attend and participate at meetings

 

A123 SYSTEMS LLC, Livonia, MI 2015 – 2019
Senior Validation Engineer (March 2017 - November 2019)
Validation Engineer (March 2015 - March 2017)
Design, implement and supervise DVP&R and PVP&R testing to verify battery module performance to client and internal specifications.
  • Liquid cooled battery pack for a Volvo hybrid bus application.
  • 40Ah automotive starter battery pack core project.
  • 60Ah GM Corona automotive starter battery pack project.
  • 60Ah GM Zerv automotive starter battery pack project.

 

MAGNA CLOSURES OF AMERICA, Novi, MI 2013 – 2015
Senior Engineer
Hardware/Software Validation for the Magna Closures electronics group
  • Performed testing on the following products:
    • PLGM, powered lift-gate modules
    • FTC, folding top controller modules
    • UIM, universal input modules
    • Design, develop and implement an automated functional test stand for UIM modules

 

A123 SYSTEMS LLC, Livonia, MI 2011 – 2013
Hardware Validation Engineer
Design, implement and supervise DVP&R and PVP&R testing to verify battery module performance to client and internal specifications.
  • Performed testing on the following products:
    • Air cooled battery pack for a hybrid bus application.
    • Liquid cooled battery pack for a hybrid heavy truck application.
    • Module and cell testing

 

ESG AUTOMOTIVE, Southfield, MI 2009 – 2011
Resident Engineer, (August – October, 2011)
Contract employee for Magneti Marelli
Resident Engineer for the Blue&Me program at Chrysler Headquarters.
  • Provide technical support for the Blue&Me program.
  • Schedule testing for Blue&Me software releases.
  • Manage Blue&Me software defect tracking for Chrysler.
 
Software Validation Engineer, (January, 2010 – July, 2011)
Contract employee for Magneti Marelli
Design and implement test procedures to verify software compliance to client specifications.
  • Test Blue&Me vehicle multimedia system software to verify the following functions:
    • Cell phone Bluetooth integration and operation.
    • Media integration an operations (USB, iPod, Radio, CD)
  • Test Ford Work Solutions in-dash computer software to verify the following functions:
    • Cell phone Bluetooth integration and operation.
    • Office application integration and operation.
    • Media options integration and operation.
Restraint Systems Validation Engineer (September – December, 2009)
Contract employee for Ford Motor Company
Design and implement test procedures to verify software compliance to client specifications.
  • Design DVP&R procedures and test 911-assist, post crash alert and vehicle emergency data set functions of the safety restraint system.
  • Design DVP&R procedures and test electronic data record functions of the safety restraint system.
  • Build software tools to read electronic data records and 911 assist records.

 

AUTOLIV ELECTRONICS AMERICA, Southfield, MI 2002 – 2009
Hardware Validation Engineer (2006 – 2009)
Design, implement and supervise DVP&R and PVP&R testing to verify electronic module performance to client and internal specifications.
  • Streamlined manufacturing in-process testing to eliminate bottlenecks and improve first time through test cycle times by 48%.
  • Saved $34,000 by devising a method to use production satellites to replace satellite simulator cards for production testing.
  • Uncovered a programming defect on a satellite simulator board that had stalled development of an automated crash tester and put product timing in jeopardy.
  • Solved a module running reset problem at Ford’s Michigan Truck facility and avoided a stop ship situation.
Algorithm Validation Engineer (2002 – 2006)
Test software implementation of crash algorithms and verify proper operation of firing or suppression of restraint hardware as specified in client and internal specifications.
  • Expedited testing of rollover sensor algorithms and electronic data recording to successfully launch an on time product and ensure a satisfied client.
  • Redesigned automated algorithm tester’s error handling strategy to reduce testing time by 300%.
  • Saved $150,000 by adapting an existing automated algorithm tester to work with Kia and Hyundai communications protocols.

 

KELLY AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES GROUP, Dearborn, MI 2001 – 2002
Software Validation Engineer
Contract employee for Autoliv Electronics America.
Designed and implemented test procedures to verify software compliance to client and internal specifications.
  • Reduced test plan development time by 50% by adapting existing software tests to provide coverage for Kia and Hyundai airbag electronic modules.
  • Developed the test methods for verifying electronic data recording on the Kia and Hyundai electronic airbag modules.

 

COMPUWARE, Detroit, MI 2000 – 2001
Software Validation Engineer
Contract employee for Visteon Restraints Electronics Group / Autoliv Electronics America.
Designed and implemented test procedures to verify software compliance to client and internal specifications.
  • Designed the first CAN software tests and methods for the electronic airbag module.
  • Discovered a previously unknown defect in the Microchip MCP2515 stand–alone CAN controller silicon that caused the airbag electronic module to set CAN communication faults. A software patch allowed the module to launch defect-free and on time.

 

UNITED TECHNOLOGIES AUTOMOTIVE, Dearborn, MI 1998 – 2000
Hardware Validation Engineer
Designed, implemented, and supervised DVP&R and PVP&R testing to verify DC motor performance to client and internal specifications.
  • Redeveloped test methods and capabilities for Bosch transfer case shift motors after United Technologies Automotive was resourced as a supplier. No budget was provided; therefore environmental functional testers needed to be built using pieces of the original testers and scrounged components.

 

INGERSOLL-RAND COMPANY, Farmington Hills, MI 1993 – 1998
Electronic Engineer (1997 – 1998)
Responsible for warranty analysis, electronic part second sourcing and prototype testing.
  • Identified a defect in the motor controller that caused the output IGBT to burn out. Once this was fixed, the warranty return rate was reduced by 80%.
  • Automated software loading of SCM modules by writing Procomm Plus scripts and eliminated operator software configuration errors.
Senior R&D Electronics Technician (1993 – 1997)
Responsible for prototyping circuits, testing and repairing brushless DC motor controllers.
  • Built the first prototypes of Ingersoll–Rand’s Insight spindle control module.

 

G.S.E., Farmington Hills, MI 1980 – 1993
Electronic Technician
Supervised cable and wire harness assembly and circuit board testing.
  • Reduced cable and wiring harness errors by 90% by implementing a new testing requirement.
  • Rearranged the assembly area to speed up instrumentation assembly and increase output by 25%.

EDUCATION


BS in Electrical Engineering
Lawrence Technological University, Southfield MI


TECHNICAL SKILLS

  • Word  
  • Excel  
  • Power Point  
  • Outlook  
  • Visual Basic  
  • C  
  • LabView  
  • AgilentVEE   
  • Netway  
  • CANalyzer  
 

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS


Senior member IEEE, Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers


PROJECTS

37Ah Audi Battery July, 2020 – Present
Members: Ron VanAssche, Ryan Smyth, Steve Brune, Murali Dammalapati
14S1P 48V Audi battery pack project.

 

60Ah GM Zerv Starter Battery May, 2018 – June, 2020
Members: Ron VanAssche, Ryan Smyth, Steve BruneJames Schellhase, Shayrgo Barazi
4S2P automotive 12V starter battery pack GM project.

 

60Ah GM Corona Starter Battery July, 2018 – June, 2019
Members: Steve Brune, Chris Ciliento,Scott Benedict
4S2P automotive 12V starter battery pack GM project.

 

40Ah Starter Battery January, 2017 – September, 2018
Members: Steve Brune, Arpad Miklos, Jeevan Chalumuri, Tony Knakal, Adam Dendrinos, Steve Bazinski
4S2P automotive 12V starter battery pack core project.

 

Volvo Battery Pack March, 2015 – October, 2017
Members: Steve Brune, Rich Tkaczyk, Michael Wiedemann, Greg Bac, Ramakrishnama Raju, Richard DeBin
200S1P battery pack for use in an HEV or articulated bus.

 

Universal Input Module September, 2014 – March, 2015
Members: Steve Brune, Ian Jorgensen, Robert Fisher, Tom McGettrick
Aftermarket upgrade for Ford vehicles to control light bars, sirens, etc..

 

Powered Lift-gate Module June, 2014 – March, 2015
Members: Steve Brune, Ian Jorgensen, Tom McGettrick
Powered Lift-gate modules for various GM platforms such as K2XX, D2XX, C1XX, SGM358 and GMT17X

 

Folding Top Controller Module January, 2014 – March, 2015
Members: Steve Brune, Ian Jorgensen, Tom McGettrick
Folding Top Controllers for the Corvette and Camero

 

GHC Battery Pack May, 2012 – June, 2013
Members: Steve Brune, Ryan Smyth, Justin Philipp-Vilches, Yang Chen, James M. Fields
Battery pack for PEV Heavy truck Applications

 

Cummins Battery Pack July, 2011 – April, 2012
Members: Steve Brune, James Wagner, Brian Makie, Rich Tkaczyk, Bailey Fagan
Battery pack for PEV Bus & Heavy Truck applications.

 

Blue and Me April, 2010 – September, 2013
Members: Steve Brune, Melissa Murawski, David Cattermole, Neil Tidmarsh, Christine Martin, Stevie Cooper, Tri Chim, Derek Secord, Danny Kashat, Gurianna Rea
Hands free telematics system for the FIAT 500 in the NAFTA region.