Derek Gresler has over 25 years of experience in aircraft interior modification and support. He has worked extensively with global military and commercial aircraft manufacturers, specializing in seats, galleys, and lavatories. Gresler currently works as a manufacturing consultant and engineer, managing customer relationships and product support projects. He mentors teams to solve design and installation problems, ensuring adherence to requirements.

1. DEREK GRESLER
206.992.0820 ▪ Renton, Washington 98058 ▪ derekgresler@finalapproachinc.com
Customer / Boeing / Manufacturer - Aircraft Interior Support
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Seats, galleys, lavatory's ( all aircraft interior modification and rework )
Service letter rework, FAA rejected assembly / modification and rework per Customer / manufacturer approved procedures and guidelines.
Aircraft Interior Design Engineering | Quality Assurance Analysis
Process Improvement I Project Manager I Product Support
●Quality-driven product support / seat / galley / lavs engineer / first article / start up companies.
●Extensive aviation interior experience in global military and commercial aircraft manufacturing environments, brings a commitment to surpassing customer expectations. Service-minded customer advocate provides end-to-end support all the way through to final inspection and hand off.
●Collaborative engineering leader and encouraging mentor coaches teams to solve challenging, design, installation problems amid mission-critical time lines. Adaptable and efficient manufacturing engineer meets budget and project schedules while ensuring adherence to FAA and Boeing requirements.
New Project Development Engineer
Key Responsibilities
●Designs and evaluates concept aircraft interior designs. Lays out aircraft interiors to customer and/or
specifications to maximize revenue.
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2. ●Determines content of items required in support of costing estimates for proposals.
Developing bills of materials, engineering hours, prototype requirements, tooling requirements, non
-recurring engineering, qualification and certification action requirements.
● Identifies new areas of seat design and materials that, if developed, will provide an advantage over the
competition as well as areas where our offering is currently at a disadvantage. Conducts technical
research on competitive products. Works closely with the potential customer and internal resources to
assure that B/E has an understanding and agreement on the technical statement of work.
●Works closely with the potential customer and internal resources to assure that they have an understanding and agreement on the technical statement of work.
●Attends presentations with the customer to explain technical offering and answer technical questions.
●Support sales and marketing team regarding technical justification on price assertions for customer driven scope changes.
●Serves as the focal individual regarding the input for the technical offering of systems and products in support of new proposals. This includes developing technical product specification and overall weight calculations for inclusion in proposals.
●Interprets FAA and commercial aircraft manufacturers' interiors specifications and related regulations.
●Writes and oversees the general overall technical content of the proposal including technical product descriptions and compliance matrix.
●Performs other related duties as required.
●Bachelor's degree (BA/BS) in Engineering from a four-year college or university and a minimum of three years related experience.
●Demonstrated ability to solve practical and conceptual problems and deal with a variety of variables.
●Demonstrated proficiency with MS Office applications, especially Excel, Word and Project.
●Experience in the commercial aircraft industry including experience working with commercial
aircraft interiors.
●Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of Management
●Experience working with financial statements and new project development.
●Ability to build productive relationships and work effectively with cross functional teams.
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3. Program Management | Quality Control - Parts and Sub-assembly | FAA and Engineering Modification
Supplier Quality Improvement | Root Cause Analysis | Corrective Action Plans | Blueprint Interpretation
Team Development and Training | Boeing (BAC) Procedures | Product Support | Technical Design
Customer Service | Quality Management Systems | 5S/Lean Methodology | Precision Parts Measurement
Parts Drawing, Fabrication and Installation | Project Management | Parts Rework and Modification
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Final Approach, Inc., Renton, Seattle, Everett, Washington
Manufacturing Consultant/Engineer / Program / Project Manager (website)
(1993 – Present)
●Manage global customer relationships and product support projects at all Boeing locations
●Support worldwide seat and galley manufacturers, ensuring 5S/lean standards quality and
fostering product improvements
●First Article support / New companies start up
●Mentor, coach and train a team of mechanics, machinists and electricians to modify seats
and galleys troubleshoot electrical systems and ensure quality
●Conduct per-launch project analysis before kick-off
●Product Support Engineering as a liaison between customer and Manufacturer.
●Maintain machinery, tools and facilities systems; diagnose problems and institute corrective actions
●Assess supplier capacity, write training materials and provide coaching on quality systems,
regulatory compliance and company initiatives to optimize supplier performance and productivity
●Inspect incoming parts alongside Boeing receivers, including printed circuit board, mechanical
and cable/harness assemblies, machined or molded parts, and plastic fabrication
●Collect supplier performance metrics, review non conformance rejection reports (NCR).
●investigate parts-driven quality issues and participate in quality management system
(QMS) meetings
●Visit suppliers to review manufacturing processes and create corrective action plans,
address supplier process failures in collaboration with internal IT, quality engineering and
supply chain teams
●Participate in engineering, construction and operations meeting to review design changes
and ensure implementation in accordance with first article procedures
●Design and produce galleys, seats, lavatories and aircraft interiors at Boeing or
manufacturer facilities
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4. ●Test in-flight entertainment (IFE), video, seat-to-seat and power cables; develop and build cable assembly test equipment and tool aerospace and military connectors
●Maintain documentation to defend warranty or shipping claims.
● As a The Cabin Interior’s Engineer I performed a variety of engineering work in design definition,
Integration, installation, certification, maintainability and repair of cabin in-flight entertainment (IFE)/electrical components for the interiors in support of corporate strategic and tactical initiatives.
●Responsibilities include direct coordination with OEMs, maintenance, modification sites, as well as I internal and external customers to support the operational and reliability initiatives for cabin
electrical systems and components.
●The components may include IFE (including wifi, power distribution, and A/V on demand), seats, galley equipment, emergency equipment, and lighting.
●The ability to read and interpret wiring diagrams and schematics is required. Specific fleet or commodity responsibilities may be assigned.
●Familiarity with interior airworthiness requirements, TSO ratings, flammability, and other certification requirements preferred.
●Establishes work prioritization and balances multiple concurrent projects..
●Adheres to, and supports group performance metrics and works toward specific group goals.
●Develops strong internal customer relationships and maintains high level of customer focus.
●Practices safety conscious behaviors in all processes and procedures. Some travel may be required.
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5. DEREK GRESLER
206.992.0820 ▪ Renton, Washington 98058 ▪ derekgresler@finalapproachinc.com
Final Approach, Inc., Renton, Washington (continued)
Manufacturing Consultant/Engineer
Key Accomplishments
●Supervises completion of engineering projects within the definitions of the air frame manufacturer and airline specifications and within engineering budget and schedules.
●Designs seats and seat components
●Supervises completion and release of engineering documents: parts list and engineering drawing.
●Coordinates project completion with the affected groups: stress, materials and processing, purchasing, manufacturing, prototype shop.
●Trains engineering personnel in the specialized aspects of the product. Liaison with quality assurance and manufacturing departments to disposition of non- conforming articles.
●Provides and maintains engineering schedules.
●Provides engineering support to all departments
●Coach and train a team of engineers, quality control, mechanics, machinists and electricians to ensure quality during manufacturing.
●Participate in engineering design / construction and operations to review design changes and ensure implementation in accordance with first article procedures.
●Modified first article seats, galleys and lavs, as well as sub-assemblies, like power harnesses routing, to meet FAA and FDA inspections to meet crucial deadlines
●Modification was done either on Boeing or Supplier FAA repair stations.
●Built reputation at Boeing and among suppliers for quick response times and flawless workmanship to guarantee deadline attainment; known for extensive knowledge of BAC processes and strong relationships with Boeing quality control and procurement teams
EDUCATION
Karkonosze College, Jelenia Góra, Poland
Bachelor of Arts, Management
State School of Higher Vocational Education, Skierniewice, Poland
Associate of Arts, Electrical/Electronic Engineering
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6. CERTIFICATION
Barcode Electronics Maintenance, Repair and Quality Assurance Certified – Yokohama Aerospace America Aircraft Repair Station, Weber Aircraft
Hand Soldering and Rework Certified – Composites Unlimited, Inc., Yokohama Aerospace America, Final Approach, Inc
Aerospace Tool Maintenance and Care Certified – Boeing, Final Approach, Inc.
Aerospace Electrical Inspector-Shield Termination Certified – Final Approach, Inc.
Surface Mount Technician Certified
Cen-Tech VPR Certified
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE – LANGUAGES
Bilingual: Polish | International work experience: England, Germany and Italy
CLEARANCE
Current Confidential (L) and Current Secret (Q) Clearance – Boeing
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