Derek Simpkins
US Navy
Siloam Springs
1
Certification
20
years of professional experience
Experienced leader in aviation electronics, project/program management, and quality assurance, skilled in decision-making, strategic planning, and root-cause analysis. Led inspections, corrective actions, and workflow improvements that strengthened compliance, consistency, and mission readiness.
Work History
Senior Chief Aviation Electronics Tech
19 Years 7 Months- Troubleshot avionics and electrical malfunctions using technical manuals and test equipment.
- Inspected aircraft electronics systems for readiness, compliance, and safety.
- Repaired wiring harnesses, connectors, and circuit components to restore mission capability.
- Performed preventive maintenance on navigation, communication, and flight control equipment.
- Supervised quality assurance team activities to maintain product compliance with established standards.
- Developed inspection procedures to improve consistency across incoming, in-process, and final reviews.
- Trained staff on quality requirements, documentation practices, and defect identification methods.
- Led root-cause investigations, documented findings, and implemented process improvements across departments.
- Prepared quality reports, tracked trends, and ensured regulatory and internal audit readiness.
- Assessed investigation reports of subordinate quality assurance personnel and addressed any procedural deviations.
- Facilitated status meetings, issue tracking, and risk reviews to support timely decisions.
- Implemented process improvements that strengthened project consistency and team accountability.
- Communicated updates to leadership and clients, ensuring clear expectations and resolution of blockers.
- Successfully managed multiple projects simultaneously by prioritizing tasks according to urgency, resource availability, and alignment with organizational goals.
- Planned, designed, and scheduled phases for large projects.
- Met project deadlines without sacrificing build quality or workplace safety.
- Directed cross-functional program plans, aligning stakeholders on scope, milestones, risks, and deliverables. 2. Coordinated project intake, prioritization, and resource allocation using structured program governance practices. 3. Monitored schedules, budgets, and dependencies to maintain consistent execution across multiple workstreams. 4. Facilitated status reviews, capturing action items, escalations, and decisions for leadership visibility. 5. Standardized reporting dashboards and communication routines to improve program tracking and accountability. 6. Managed stakeholder expectations, resolving conflicts and clarifying requirements across teams and functions. 7. Improved process consistency by documenting workflows, templates, and program operating procedures. 8. Led initiative planning from requirements through delivery, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives.
- Directed daily production schedules to meet output, quality, and delivery targets
- Implemented process improvements to reduce waste and strengthen operational efficiency
- Monitored safety, quality, and compliance standards across production activities
- Analyzed production reports to identify constraints and support staffing decisions
- Led corrective actions to improve consistency, productivity, and on-time execution
Education
High School Diploma
Skills
Electromechanical systems
Schematic interpretation
Project management
Process improvement
Strategic planning
5S methodology
Kaizen facilitation
Decision-making
Team leadership
Decision-making
Problem-solving
Detail-oriented
Certification
- PMP - Project Management Professional
- Lean Six Sigma- Green Belt
- Scrum Master
Timeline
Senior Chief Aviation Electronics Tech
US Navy
03.2007 - CurrentRead More
Pea Ridge School District
High School Diploma
Read More