Zachary Flores
Summary
Experienced Innovations Specialist with a strong background in the aerospace industry, bringing over 5 years of expertise to drive advancements in propulsion systems, additive manufacturing, and lean six sigma. Currently pursuing a bachelor\'s degree in engineering to further expand knowledge and skills. Dedicated to staying at the forefront of industry developments and leveraging specialized knowledge to enhance operational efficiency and drive continuous improvement.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Additive Manufacturing Lab Manager/ Innovation Specialist
United States Air Force
07.2024 - Current
- Managed over 45 different projects by providing expertise and guidance on additive manufacturing capabilities, process improvement with lean six sigma processes, and project directional leadership
- Successfully Directed and led a team on developing a solution to fix a Department Of Defense enterprise level issue, returning to service over $433 Million dollar of assets
- Created over 83 unique designs in CAD and simulations for a variety of projects from alternative plastic dunnage for cargo aircraft to worm gear drives for KC-135’s
- Completed over 12 projects saving over $560 million dollars and improving company level enterprise capabilities by over 5% from increased housing availability for key departments
- Achievements: Technical advisor and local project lead of Omniseal a universal capping and plugging solution which projects to save millions annually
Support Section Supervisor
United States Air Force
02.2023 - 07.2024
- Executed over 652 inspections on $1.42 millions dollars of assets for mission critical items, tooling, and hazardous material
- Managed international hazardous material accounts, regulations, and policies in the United Kingdom for the US
- Armed forces assigned to the 48th CMS organization
- Analysed T4000 equipment down time, identified repeated issues and causes, and implemented a solution, saving over $20,000 in parts and man hours each year
- Planned and executed educational lessons and on the job training courses for 147 personnel
- Achievements: Lead a rapid response team to assemble and launch six mission critical assets, in a 24hr window to achieve the direct success of an operational mission
Aircraft Propulsions Technician
United States Air Force
05.2021 - 02.2023
- Task leader on priority crew which resulted in repairing two different fleets of fighter aircraft propulsion systems, directly returning $112 million dollars of assets to serviceability
- Lead and trained a team to repair secondary power propulsion units to exceed previous key performance metrics by nearly 200%
- Performed and led over 653 maintenance actions/tasks completed, resulting in over $294.4 million dollars of assets returned to service
Education
Bachelors - Engineering
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University WorldWide Campus
Remote05.2030
Associate of Applied Science -
Community College of The Air Force
Montgomery, AL, United States05-2025
Aerospace Propulsion Specialty Course -
Sheppard Air Force Base
Wichita Falls, TX01.2022
Introductory Military Training -
Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland
San Antonio, TX01.2021
High School -
Central Kitsap High School
Silverdale, WA06.
Skills
- Product Development
- Project Management
- CAD proficiency
- Leadership
- Data Analysis
- Communication
- Educational Instructor
- Equipment management
- Hazardous waste management
- Data management
- Employee supervision
- Analytical thinking
Languages
English
Advanced (C1)
NATO phonetic alphabet
Intermediate (B1)
Dark Humor
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Programs
- Envision - Mass data visualization modelling tool
- Vision marketplace - Innovation Fund distribution/voting
- Vision - USAF innovation project tracker
- Jammex - Congressional working group repository for AM parts/ crafting DOD AM policies
- RSO Lunchpad - USAF Rapid Sustainment Officer CAD Innovation repository
- Arduino - Used for programming raspberry pies
- Preform - Formlabs AM slicer for SLA/ resin printing
- Chitubox/PRO - Another AM slicer for SLA/resin printing
- Idea Maker - Another AM slicer for belt brinters
- Prusa Slicer - Another AM slicer
- Fusion 360 CAD autodesk - 3D modeling/simulation and 2D design software
- Cura Slicer - CAD to GCODE for additive manufacturing(AM)
- TCMAX - Tool and item accountability and inventory application/program
- EESOH-MIS - Department of Defense Hazardous material program
- Integrated Maintenance Data System(IMDS) - Used for everything maintenance related for Fighters aircraft
Technical Training And Certifications
- Green Belt online course material completion, 2025
- Innovations and creative thinking cohort (13 weeks), 2025
- ASTM Additive Manufacturing Essentials for Professionals Certificate Course, 2024
- Borescope Special Inspection Certification, 2024
- JSAMTCC A&P Certification Program, 2024
- Secondary Power Specialty Course, 2023
- Aerospace Propulsion Journeyman, 2022
- Aerospace Propulsion Specialty Course, 2022
- Secret - Type 3, 06/01/20
- Construction career course (2 years), 07/01/19
- OSHA - 10 hour construction, safety and health certification, 2018
Awards
US. AirForce Achievement Medal
Activities
- 3D Printing
- CAD design
- Creation and modification of small unmanned aircraft systems(SUAS)
- Siege Engine Engineer/Craftsman
Affiliations
- United States AirForce
Certification
Green Belt online course material completion (2025)
Innovations and creative thinking cohort (13 weeks) (2025)
ASTM Additive Manufacturing Essentials for Professionals Certificate Course (2024)
Borescope Special Inspection Certification (2024)
JSAMTCC A&P Certification Program (2024)
Secondary Power Specialty Course (2023)
Aerospace Propulsion Journeyman (2022)
Aerospace Propulsion Specialty Course (2022)
Secret - Type 3, June 2020
Construction career course (2 years) July 2019
Timeline
Additive Manufacturing Lab Manager/ Innovation Specialist
United States Air Force
07.2024 - Current
Support Section Supervisor
United States Air Force
02.2023 - 07.2024
Aircraft Propulsions Technician
United States Air Force
05.2021 - 02.2023
Bachelors - Engineering
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University WorldWide Campus
Associate of Applied Science -
Community College of The Air Force
Aerospace Propulsion Specialty Course -
Sheppard Air Force Base
Introductory Military Training -
Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland
High School -
Central Kitsap High School
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