Kenneth Burkins is a mechanical engineer with over 20 years of product design, development, and manufacturing experience. A graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, Kenneth is a humble but demonstrated leader, with experience ranging from supporting the development of emerging technology in space exploration and upstream completions, to restructuring engineering teams to maximize efficiency and workflow. Kenneth is proficient in the use of a variety of software and tools, including but not limited to AutoCAD, ProE, Windchill, SolidWorks and EnterprisePDM. He is currently based in Houston, TX and is open to virtual consults and relocation.

 

Resume

EDUCATION

 

The University of Texas at Austin
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, 1994

 
 

EXPERIENCE

 

Senior Mechanical Engineer, Honeywell FM&T

Purchased Products Cables Division

  • Perform project planning and manages project resources, including multiple individuals and disciplines

  • Defines and recommends new designs, design changes and alternate designs of instruments, and test equipment to assure product quality

  • Resolves moderate to complex design, development, production and acceptance issues with agency partners

  • Conducts engineering testing and development programs using statistical and scientific methods

  • Originates, refines, and releases complex manufacturing and inspection directions

  • Determines acceptability of processes and materials in conjunction with design agency and other affected organization

  • Leads technical project teams preparing and presenting project status reports for management and wider team

  • Trains and mentors Engineer I and II on various test processes and procedures    

Kansas City, MO

2021 — Present

 

Project Engineer, Freelance

Open Hole and Cased Hole Completions

  • New product design, product enhancement, and product sustaining for open and cased hole completions systems.

  • Prepare feasibility studies.

  • Create and review manufacturing drawings.

  • Support manufacturing to ensure that products are manufactured per design requirements and as cost effectively as possible.

  • Assist in the creation of techno-commercial proposals.

  • Create and review ISO qualification testing plans.

  • Establish engineering design guidelines.

  • Generate corrective action reports for product issues or failures.

Houston, TX

2019 — 2020

 

Engineering Manager, Peak Completions Technologies

Open Hole and Cased Hole Completions

  • Led the restructuring of the Houston-based engineering group, providing personal mentorship and guidance to support positive team growth. 

  • Defined, organized, and prioritized engineering projects as well as reviewed and approved engineering outputs—design guidelines, feasibility studies, manufacturing guidelines. 

  • Interfaced with internal departments, including sales and technical services, vendors, and clients to ensure successful tool design, development, and delivery. 

  • Reviewed and approved testing procedures, reports, feasibility studies, and manufacturing drawings. 

  • Investigated product issues or failures to determine and implement required corrective action. 

  • Advised technical services and sales in the creation of techno-commercial proposals. 

  • Supported manufacturing to ensure accuracy and cost effectiveness per design requirements

Houston, TX

2013 — 2019

 

Sr. Engineering Supervisor, Weatherford International

Cased Hole Completions and Conventional Sand Screens

  • Oversaw the product development, enhancement, and sustaining of completion products, per customers’ specifications and engineering standards (ISO 17824).

  • Led the daily engineering support for sand screen manufacturing plant, including disposition of non-conformance and deviation requests. 

  • Supervised and conducted prototype testing per petroleum and natural gas industry standards (ISO 14310).

  • Created, reviewed, and approved test fixture designs, prototype requests, and manufacturing designs. 

  • Conducted project kick-off meetings with sales, operations, manufacturing, and clients.

  • Collaborated closely with sales, operations, manufacturing, and customers to run projects efficiently. 

  • Managed design reviews involving manufacturing, operations and sales.

  • Prepared, reviewed, and approved engineering outputs and feasibility studies.

  • Assisted sales with the preparation of clear and accurate technical literature.

  • Worked with manufacturing to identify alternate fabrication methods or engineering guidelines, improving efficiency and quality.

Houston, TX

2000 — 2013

 

Design Engineer, Lockheed Martin

Science, Engineering, Analysis & Test Contract (SEAT), NASA’s Johnson Space Center

  • Provided mechanical/structural engineering design, development, and integration of hardware for first ever inflatable habitation module.  

  • Created conceptual design layouts, assembly process instructions, and manufacturing drawings. 

  • Assisted the assembly of full scale design mockups.

Houston, TX

1997 — 2000

 
 

ACHIEVEMENTS

 

  • Design, development, and qualification of Weatherford International’s Composite Frac/Bridge Plug

  • Design and development of Weatherford International’s Gravel Pack System

  • Joint design of ExxonMobil and Weatherford International’s Alternate Path Screen System

 
 
 

SKILLS

 

  • Solidworks, ProE, AutoCAD, Windchill, EnterprisePDM

  • Project Management Fundamentals

  • MS Office: Excel, Word, PowerPoint; MS Project