Manufacturing Engineer

Nicholas LaBonte

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Resume:

BS Manufacturing Engineering

June 2025

Co-Author, Conference Paper: A Fully Automated Method for Identifying Layup Molds with Minimal Robot Touchpoints (FAIM 2025). Used MATLAB to develop full factorial DoE, identifying the critical factor in linear optimization method.

PACCAR Senior Team Project, Automated Test Fixture: Programmed Allen-Bradley & CLICK PLCs using ladder logic for fluid transfer and application. Selected safety equipment and pneumatic valves to meet customer specifications.  .

Project Management, Design for Manufacture/Assembly (DFMA), Quality principles (Lean, 6S), Design of Experiment (DoE), and 5-axis machining.

  • Machine Vision and Fanuc robotics integration with RoboDK/MATLAB to identify, pick and place items
  • Tuned PID controller on hovercraft to maintain stable flight dynamics
  • Modbus/Python integration for pressure data logging and analysis

Electronics Technician/CNC Lead

2020 – 2025 Anacortes, Washington

Integrated CNC capabilities into existing business operations. Designed and implemented processes to manufacture adapter plates, and engraved switchplates, and circuit breaker panels for yacht interiors. Created and managed digital asset library. Feed/speed selection for aluminum, UHMWPE, phenolic, and bronze milling.

  • 17 full yacht dashboard replacements including design, prototype, fabrication.
  • Troubleshooting & installation of vessel monitoring sensors, AC/DC power distribution, autopilot, inverters, isolation transformers, relays, and solar charge controllers.
  • Drafts schematics for vessel systems documentation.

Manufacturing Engineering Technician

2018 – 2019 San Antonio, Texas

Modified, calibrated, and validated pneumatic End of Line test instrumentation systems including pressure transducers, flow meters, strain gauges, and data acquisition hardware.

  • Quality Assurance cross-trained: root cause analysis of 45 non-conforming production units.
  • Directed overhaul of operationally critical double-action positive displacement meter-mix system.
  • Completed and documented 1,600 Total Productive Maintenance actions including rebuilding diaphragm pumps, PVA fluid dispensing valves, air pressure amplifiers.

US Navy Aircrewman, Avionics

2012 – 2018

Incorporated 15 software and hardware Technical Directives on nine P-3C aircraft and verified two
pre-release aircraft upgrades. Isolated defective line replaceable units and wiring discrepancies using
functional tests, continuity checks, digital multimeter, oscilloscope, time domain reflectometer, and
specialty calibrated test sets. Assembled and installed multi-conductor and braided electrical
harnesses to modify communications and navigation equipment.

  • 1,578 flight hours on P-3C Orion aircraft, correcting 142 in-flight discrepancies to over 25 electronic systems: Radar, C4I/Link-16 data link, satellite communications, imaging/acoustic detection suites.
  • Supervised and trained 11 personnel while safely achieving a 23% increase in departmental qualifications. 

Structures Mechanic

2008 – 2012 Bridgewater, Virginia

Fabricated sheet metal components for airframe modifications and repairs on Beechcraft King Air and
Bombardier Dash 8 aircraft using presses, shears, and hand tools. Integrated hardpoints with fuselage
structures for externally mounted sensor packages. Crafted rapid prototypes for fiberglass products
using various foams, adhesives, and resins. Operated vacuum bagging equipment and composite
autoclaves. Installed avionics equipment into honeycomb assemblies and sub-assemblies.

  • Integrated structural hardpoints with fuselage for externally mounted sensor packages.
  • Constructed composite molds and fairings using fiberglass cloth/vacuum bags/autoclaves.

Certifications:

  • Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME): Certified Manufacturing Technologist (CMfgT) 
  • Federal Communications Commission (FCC): Commercial (GROL/PG) & Amateur (Technician)
  • Dassault Systèmes: SolidWorks Associate
  • National Marine Electronics Association (NEMA): Certified Installer (MEI)