Senior Engineer · Milford, CT · U.S. Citizen
John
Finnegan
Systems and quality engineer with deep roots in precision manufacturing and a career arc aimed squarely at aerospace. Built and certified high-power launch vehicles with Ole Miss Rocketry — Class M certified, IREC competition veteran. Currently at Medtronic Surgical Innovations leading quality systems across NDT, FMEA, and supplier quality programs. Pursuing an M.S. in Systems Engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a 4.0 GPA. AIAA Chapter Vice President. The kind of engineer who closes the loop.
4.0
GPA · M.S. Systems Eng.
60%
Nonconformance Reduction
M
Rocketry Certification Class
45%
Mass Reduction via FEA
Experience
Work History
Medtronic
Jan 2024 — Present
North Haven, CT
Senior Engineer, Surgical Innovations
- Lead NCMR investigations for travelled work, conducting root-cause analysis and implementing CAPA with supplier quality, manufacturing, and operations groups.
- Develop Design and Process FMEAs, presenting burn-down outputs to management and regulatory groups.
- Review control charts and in-process inspection data at scale, recommending process changes, preventive actions, and maintenance.
- Oversee implementation of ultrasonic, eddy current, and dye penetrant NDT methods for robotics and implantables.
- Establish traceable quality requirements for proposed lines, maintaining ISO 9001 compliant quality management standards with PTC Agile.
- Interface with suppliers to guide MSA and Gage R&R for adoption of external manufacturing methods.
- Author work instructions and SOPs for first-article inspection (FAI), managing product and component lifecycle within Windchill PLM.
Vygon
Sep 2021 — Jan 2024
Dover, NH
Packaging Engineer, Medical Devices
- Developed formal DOE procedure for thermoforming equipment; implemented Statistical Process Controls (SPC) to reduce variability, driving a 60% reduction in nonconformances across three lines.
- Led APQP protocol writing and execution for drug delivery device assembly, transitioning from first-article prototypes through PPV runs to full production.
- Implemented ASTM D3078 and F2096 pressurized leak test procedures, conducting Test Method Validation (TMV) to qualify.
- Managed revalidation of ISO 8 (Class 100,000) clean room and led redevelopment of value stream maps, layout, and material flow plans.
- Designed test methodology and defined parameters for ASTM D4169 vibration testing and ASTM F1980 environmental simulation.
Parker Hannifin
May 2019 — May 2021
Batesville, MS
Manufacturing Engineering Co-op
- Implemented CMM inspection process for four lines, mitigating field failure risks across eleven CFNs.
- Designed hot-swappable tooling in Inventor, applying ASME Y14.5 GD&T and ensuring tolerance stack remained within specification.
- Drafted bend and press tooling for high-mix facility using DFM principles; prototyped with additive manufacturing and programmed toolpaths on a three-axis CNC mill.
Ole Miss Rocketry
Jan 2017 — May 2021
Oxford, MS
Integration & Test Team Member
- Fabricated and certified Class M high-power rocket for IREC in 3 months as part of a 12-person team, achieving successful launch in year one of program participation.
- Modeled and produced lightweight nose cone for FDM 3D printing, using ANSYS FEA to reduce mass by 45% while maintaining strength and impact-absorbing properties.
Nissan
May 2018 — Aug 2018
Canton, MS
Manufacturing Engineering Intern
- Reduced mechanical stress on MIG-welded 18-gauge steel fenders through redesign of press die tooling in Siemens NX.
- Implemented IATF 16949-compliant additive manufacturing processes, reducing department machining expenses by $6,000/month.
- Earned Nissan Lean Six Sigma Green Belt equivalent following lean manufacturing training.
Technical Skills
Capabilities
Quality & Compliance
- CAPA / Root Cause Analysis
- FMEA (Design & Process)
- NCMR / Nonconformance Mgmt.
- MSA / Gage R&R
- DOE / SPC
- ISO 9001 / ISO 13485
- APQP / PPAP
- First Article Inspection (FAI)
NDT & Inspection
- Ultrasonic Testing
- Eddy Current Testing
- Dye Penetrant Inspection
- CMM Inspection
- Dimensional Metrology
- Statistical Process Control
- Test Method Validation (TMV)
Engineering Tools
- SolidWorks / Inventor / Siemens NX
- ANSYS FEA
- ASME Y14.5 GD&T
- Windchill PLM / PTC Agile
- CNC Programming (3-axis)
- Additive Manufacturing (FDM)
Systems Engineering
- Requirements Management
- V&V Planning
- Design Review (PDR / CDR)
- Configuration Control
- Traceability / MBSE
- IATF 16949
Manufacturing
- Lean / Six Sigma (Green Belt)
- Process Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ)
- Tooling Design (DFM)
- Packaging Engineering
- Clean Room Operations (ISO 8)
- Value Stream Mapping
Aerospace & Rocketry
- High-Power Propulsion
- IREC Competition
- Class M Certification
- Structural Analysis (ANSYS)
- FDM Fabrication for Flight
- I&T Team Leadership
Education
Academic Background
Expected 2027
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Master of Science — Systems Engineering
GPA 4.0 · In Progress
2021
The University of Mississippi
Bachelor of Science — Mechanical Engineering
Ole Miss Rocketry · IREC Competitor
AIAA
Chapter Vice President
American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics · 2017 – Present
FIRST Robotics
Lead Mechatronics Mentor, Team 8085
Milford, CT · 2024 – Present
ASQ
Member
American Society for Quality · 2023 – Present
NH Astronomical Society
Volunteer Member
New Hampshire · 2021 – Present
Press
In the News
Milford Mirror
Milford Schools' Robotics Team Heads To International Competition
2025
Milford Mirror
Milford Robotics Team Wins Division at International Contest
2023
Univ. of Mississippi
University of Mississippi Celebrates Class of 2021's John Finnegan
2021
Ole Miss Rocketry
Rocket Team Blasts Off
2021
Contact
"The kind of problems I'm drawn to don't have obvious answers — they have constraints, trade-offs, and consequences."
Targeting manufacturing, quality, and systems engineering roles
at launch vehicle and space systems companies.
Willing to relocate: Northeast · LA / SF · Dallas / Austin
Seattle · Florida Space Coast