Md Saidur Rahman

About Me

I am Md Saidur Rahman, a quality-focused engineering professional with over six years of global experience in manufacturing quality engineering, industrial operations, and quality assurance. I bring a structured and results-driven approach to improving product quality, optimizing processes, and ensuring compliance across diverse engineering environments.

Currently, I serve as an Operations Assistant at South Dakota State University, where I oversee the quality testing, calibration, and field inspection of automated weather stations across the state. I work closely with engineering and safety teams to ensure every sensor and system meets ISO and OSHA standards.

Previously, I worked as a Manufacturing Quality Engineer at SALCOMP in China, where I performed EVT, PVT, DVT, and reliability testing on electronic components, implemented Lean Six Sigma, and built real-time quality dashboards using Power BI and JMP. My work directly reduced defect rates and improved product reliability across production lines.

At Avera Health, I completed a supply chain engineering internship, using SQL, Excel Pivot Tables, and ERP systems (Workday, Meditech) to improve inventory accuracy, streamline vendor operations, and enhance data visibility.

My technical strengths include:

Education

• South Dakota State University
  MS in Operations & Industrial Management
  Jan 2023 – Dec 2024 | Brookings, South Dakota, USA


• Northwestern Polytechnical University
  BS in Aeronautical Engineering
  Sep 2014 – Jul 2018 | Xi’an, Shaanxi, China

Professional Experiences

SD Mesonet, South Dakota State University | Operations Assistant

Jan 2023 – Present | Brookings, SD, United States

Key Contributions:

1. Installation, Maintenance, and Construction Support:

• Installed, calibrated, and maintained precision weather monitoring equipment, including Pluvio rain gauges, solar panels, soil sensors, and barometers, ensuring high-accuracy data collection across 80+ remote stations.
• Troubleshot real-time IoT-enabled data collection systems, resolving sensor failures, connectivity issues, and system malfunctions in data loggers and cellular modems, ensuring continuous operational uptime.
• Collaborated with field engineers and technicians to construct and deploy weather station infrastructure, including structural mounts for sensors and solar panel arrays, adhering to strict engineering standards.

2. Preventive Maintenance and Analytics:

• Performed preventive maintenance inspections, implementing predictive analytics to minimize disruptions and enhance system longevity, reducing equipment downtime by improving failure detection.
• Automated performance tracking dashboards in Power BI, integrating sensor health data, system diagnostics, and maintenance schedules, enabling data-driven decision-making and optimizing operational efficiency.
• Designed and implemented maintenance schedules for station infrastructure, ensuring equipment safety and compliance with environmental regulations.

3. Root Cause Analysis, Construction Insights, and Data Quality:

• Developed Root Cause Analysis (RCA) frameworks, utilizing Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA), Statistical Process Control (SPC), and predictive analytics to detect anomalies in environmental data collection.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to enhance data quality, sensor calibration methodologies, and operational efficiency, improving accuracy and reliability for climate monitoring applications.
• Supported construction engineering activities by providing infrastructure feedback and ensuring seamless integration of monitoring systems with site-specific conditions.

4. Project Management and Collaboration:

• Coordinated with contractors and construction teams during station installations, ensuring proper alignment of structural mounts and sensor setups to meet project specifications.
• Participated in site surveys to assess environmental conditions for new weather stations, providing recommendations for optimal placement and infrastructure durability.
• Managed timelines and resources for installation and maintenance projects, ensuring on-time completion within budget constraints.

Avera Health | Supply Chain Management

May 2024 – Sep 2024 | Sioux Falls, SD, USA

Key Contributions:

1. Big Data Analysis and Reporting:

• Delivered an advanced Avera Pace Revenue Big Data report, segmented by class of trade, region, and group, leveraging Excel (Pivot Tables) to identify key revenue contributors and enhance financial visibility for fiscal year 2024.
• Analyzed revenue patterns to provide actionable insights for senior leadership, leading to a 15% improvement in revenue allocation strategies.

2. Inventory Management and Optimization:

• Optimized inventory management across multiple facilities, including Avera McKennan Hospital and Home Medical Equipment, by analyzing metrics (total value, variance, SKUs) and identifying and resolving discrepancies, improving inventory accuracy by 20%.
• Implemented an efficient inventory tracking system by introducing barcode labeling, training clinic staff, and ensuring seamless integration into existing workflows to enhance real-time inventory visibility and reduce misplacement of items by 25%.

3. Vendor Contract Audits:

• Conducted a detailed audit of vendor contracts (2019–2024) using OnBase and Premier PINC AI, recovering $200,000 in missing rebates and ensuring adherence to contractual rebate structures, driving substantial cost savings.
• Established a standardized vendor contract review process to prevent future rebate discrepancies and streamline audits.

4. ERP Systems and Supply Chain Data Integration:

• Streamlined ERP operations using Workday and Meditech ORM, efficiently managing inventory levels, vendor contracts, and integrating supply chain data, which enhanced system accuracy and operational effectiveness.
• Automated data synchronization processes between ERP systems, reducing manual entry errors by 30% and improving system reliability.

5. Logistics Optimization:

• Optimized courier logistics by accurately assigning addresses to 541 pick-up locations, significantly improving operational efficiency and delivery timelines, cutting delivery delays by 18%.
• Implemented route optimization strategies, leading to a 10% reduction in transportation costs.

6. Leadership and Collaboration:

• Collaborated with a team of 30+ senior leaders, gaining valuable insights into servant leadership and strategic supply chain management practices, contributing to organization-wide initiatives focused on operational excellence.
• Actively participated in strategic meetings with the Cardiac and Vascular Service Line team, facilitating the integration of clinical and supply chain operations to enhance both patient care and cost management, achieving a 12% cost reduction in medical supplies.

7. Research and ESG Initiatives:

• Conducted comprehensive research on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors and Global Health Exchange (GHX), aligning operational practices with sustainability and governance standards.
• Proposed ESG-aligned supply chain strategies that enhanced compliance and improved the organization's environmental footprint by 8%.




SALCOMP | Manufacturing Quality Engineer

Jul 2018 - Dec 2022 | Baoan District, Shenzhen, China

Key Contributions:

1. Quality Assurance and Process Audits:

• Conducted routine quality tests and process audits to ensure compliance with ISO/TS 16949 standards, maintaining product reliability and enabling high-volume manufacturing operations in a fast-paced environment.
• Performed detailed Outgoing Batch Audits (OBA) and Ongoing Reliability Testing (ORT), ensuring seamless workflows by identifying areas for quality improvement and reducing defects by 15%.
• Monitored production adherence to quality assurance protocols, streamlining corrective action processes to minimize operational downtime.

2. Data Analytics and Visualization:

• Utilized SQL to extract and analyze large datasets from production lines, providing key insights into defect rates, yield metrics, and areas requiring process optimization.
• Developed and delivered visually compelling, interactive dashboards in Power BI and Tableau, enabling management and customers to track quality trends and make data-driven decisions.
• Enhanced production efficiency by identifying bottlenecks and implementing predictive analytics for quality control management.

3. Risk Mitigation and Process Optimization:

• Led and maintained comprehensive PFMEA processes and Control Plans, mitigating high-risk manufacturing issues and ensuring consistent adherence to safety and quality standards.
• Implemented operational improvements in coordination with cross-functional teams, enhancing Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and ensuring timely completion of Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) documentation for new product launches.
• Streamlined production lines to improve throughput by 12% by addressing root causes of process inefficiencies and implementing robust controls.

4. Training and Mentorship:

• Designed and delivered tailored training programs for In-Process Quality Control (IPQC) personnel on Statistical Process Control (SPC), defect prevention, and root cause analysis techniques.
• Mentored junior engineers and production staff, improving quality monitoring proficiency and reducing errors by 20% through focused skill development initiatives.

5. Workflow and Operational Management:

• Managed end-to-end production workflows leveraging Agile methodologies and SAP systems, enabling real-time tracking, operational efficiency, and production planning optimization.
• Coordinated with supply chain and production planning teams to ensure material availability and eliminate workflow disruptions, contributing to a 10% reduction in lead times.

6. Continuous Improvement and Problem-Solving:

• Led cross-functional problem-solving initiatives using tools such as fishbone diagrams, SPC, and hypothesis testing, identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions that reduced recurring quality issues by 18%.
• Developed a continuous improvement framework to optimize key manufacturing metrics, focusing on reducing defects and enhancing product reliability.

7. Reliability Testing:

• Supported advanced reliability testing processes, including Highly Accelerated Life Testing (HALT) and Highly Accelerated Stress Screening (HASS), ensuring durability and robustness of products throughout their lifecycle.
• Worked closely with design and engineering teams to integrate reliability feedback into product development, reducing warranty claims by 10%.

8. Industrial Engineering Integration:

• Applied industrial engineering principles, such as time-motion studies and lean manufacturing techniques, to improve assembly line efficiency and reduce waste.
• Collaborated with process engineers to enhance line balancing, achieving a 15% increase in production throughput while maintaining strict quality standards.




Aeronautical Science and Technology Innovation Center (西北工业大学航空科技创新基地) | Manufacturing Engineer Intern – Design, Quality & Process Optimization

Mar 2017 – Jun 2018 | Xi’an, Shaanxi, China

Key Contributions:

1. Prototype Development and Testing:

• Successfully completed the Pre-Bachelor Internship Program, focusing on designing, manufacturing, and testing a functional prototype of a model aircraft.
• Designed and built a model aircraft using advanced manufacturing principles, ensuring its performance through flight testing and optimization.

2. Advanced Manufacturing Techniques:

• Operated and calibrated 3D printers for high-precision component production, ensuring quality and design compliance.
• Implemented frameworks like DFMEA, PFMEA, Control Plans, and SPC to ensure consistent manufacturing quality and adherence to design specifications.

3. Process Optimization:

• Applied Lean methodologies and problem-solving techniques such as 5-Whys and Fishbone Diagrams to identify and eliminate inefficiencies in production workflows.
• Used tools like Excel and Minitab to analyze production data, identify statistical deviations, and improve Overall Equipment Efficiency (OEE).

4. Collaboration and Compliance:

• Worked with engineering teams to enhance assembly processes and align with safety and regulatory standards.
• Collaborated across departments to integrate feedback into the design process, ensuring safety and compliance with aviation standards.

5. Flight Testing:

• Successfully flew the developed aircraft prototype, meeting stringent performance and quality standards.
• Incorporated testing results into iterative design improvements, enhancing the final prototype’s efficiency and stability.




Research & Project

South Dakota State University | Graduate Research Assistant

Sep 2023 – May 2024 | Brookings, SD, USA

As a Graduate Research Assistant, I conducted research focused on the supply chain quality, reliability, and process risks within the electric vehicle (EV) battery ecosystem. My work emphasized supplier assessment, data analytics, and engineering quality methodologies—aligned with roles in quality assurance, manufacturing quality, and industrial engineering.

Key Contributions:

1. Supplier Quality Assessment & Compliance:

• Evaluated global suppliers of Solid-State and Lithium-Ion battery components for quality risks, process readiness, and scalability.
• Applied tools like APQP, PPAP, and SPC to assess and enhance supplier quality systems.
• Aligned research with leading industry practices, including Tesla’s industrialization framework for supplier evaluation.

2. Quality Data Infrastructure & Analytics:

• Built and managed quality-related data pipelines using SQL, Python, and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure) to analyze supplier performance.
• Designed interactive dashboards in Power BI and Tableau to monitor KPIs such as defect trends, capacity utilization, and safety stock levels.
• Automated real-time data collection and reporting processes to support supplier benchmarking and continuous improvement.

3. Reliability & Failure Analysis:

• Conducted FMEA and Root Cause Investigations on critical battery components using research-based case studies.
• Integrated machine learning models for Prognostics and Health Management (PHM) to identify early signs of performance degradation.
• Proposed strategies for improving component reliability through predictive analytics and design reviews.

4. Manufacturing Process Optimization:

• Conducted manufacturing process improvements using Lean Six Sigma, time-motion studies, and continuous improvement techniques (Kaizen, DMAIC) to enhance throughput and eliminate inefficiencies.
• Simulated and forecasted EV battery material demand, quantifying potential lithium and cobalt shortages using stochastic simulation models and proposing supplier diversification strategies for resilience.

5. Supplier Development and Collaboration:

• Led supplier development initiatives, collaborating with procurement, quality, and engineering teams to define technical requirements, validate manufacturing capabilities, and ensure robust supplier onboarding.





Masters Thesis Project | South Dakota State University

Title: Electric Vehicles Historical Sales, Minerals Demand Risks, and Supply Chain Dynamics

Aug 2024 - Dec 2024 | Brookings, SD, USA

Key Contributions:

1. Data-Driven Analysis and Forecasting:

• Conducted data-driven analysis of global EV sales trends (2010–2024), leveraging Power BI and Python to forecast demand scenarios through 2050, enabling supply chain planning for production scalability.
• Optimized mineral demand forecasting using SQL and predictive modeling, quantifying lithium demand (1200 Kilo Ton by 2050) and addressing potential supply chain disruptions for battery manufacturers.

2. Supply Chain Risk Modeling:

• Modeled supply chain risks for lithium, cobalt, and nickel procurement, identifying 60% reliance on Chinese processing and developing supplier diversification strategies to mitigate geopolitical and logistical risks.
• Performed scenario-based supply chain simulations, quantifying the impact of a 30% surge in material prices and identifying mitigation strategies, including circular economy frameworks (25% lithium recovery by 2040).

3. Dashboard Development and Visualization:

• Designed and automated supply chain performance dashboards in Power BI and Tableau, visualizing bottlenecks, sustainability KPIs, and material shortages, improving real-time decision-making for stakeholders.

4. Resilience and Cost Optimization:

• Developed a risk mitigation framework integrating Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA), and Statistical Process Control (SPC) to enhance supply chain resilience.
• Engineered cost-reduction strategies for supply chain resilience, evaluating alternative sourcing models, inventory buffering, and localized production hubs to reduce dependency on high-risk suppliers.

5. Material Sustainability and ESG Alignment:

• Projected a 45% increase in lithium demand and identified a 20% cobalt shortfall, providing data-backed recommendations to automakers, policymakers, and suppliers to ensure long-term material sustainability.
• Collaborated with industry stakeholders to align supply chain strategies with ESG compliance, proposing 50% carbon footprint reduction goals through recycling and sustainable sourcing practices.





Skills & Certifications

Technical Skills

1. Data Analytics & Visualization:

• Programming & Statistical Analysis: Structured Query Language (SQL), Python (Pandas, NumPy, Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch), R, MATLAB
• Data Visualization & Reporting: Power BI, Tableau, Excel (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP)
• Database Management & ETL: Extract, Transform, Load (ETL) Pipelines, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB

2. Supply Chain & Manufacturing Operations:

• Enterprise Resource Planning & Supply Chain Management: SAP, Oracle SCM (Supply Chain Management), Workday, JDA, NetSuite ERP, Manhattan Associates
• Process Improvement & Lean Six Sigma: Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control (DMAIC), Kaizen, 5S, Value Stream Mapping (VSM), Kanban, Fishbone Analysis
• Simulation & Process Modeling: FlexSim, Arena, Discrete Event Simulation

3. Quality Engineering & Industrialization:

• Quality Management & Compliance: Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA)/Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA), Statistical Process Control (SPC, e.g., InfinityQS, QI Macros), Quality Management System (QMS, e.g., ETQ, MasterControl)
• Inspection & Reliability Testing: Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T), Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM), Highly Accelerated Life Testing (HALT), Highly Accelerated Stress Screening (HASS), Statistical Process Control (SPC).
• Problem-Solving & Root Cause Analysis: Eight Disciplines Problem Solving (8D), A3, Fishbone, Fault Tree Analysis, Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)

4. Design, Simulation & Automation:

• CAD & Mechanical Design: SolidWorks, AutoCAD, CATIA, Mastercam
• Finite Element Analysis & Simulation: ANSYS, Simulink, MATLAB
• Industrial Automation & IoT: Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) Programming, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)

5. Big Data & Cloud Technologies:

• Cloud Platforms: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
• Data Processing & Machine Learning: Hadoop, Spark, Databricks

6. ISO Compliance & Industry Standards:

• ISO & Regulatory Standards: ISO 9001 (Quality Management), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety), International Automotive Task Force 16949 (IATF 16949, Automotive Quality Management)





Certifications

• Executive Data Science Specialization | Johns Hopkins University: (Completed in approximately 6 months) Mastered the end-to-end process of data science, including data wrangling, statistical modeling, machine learning, and communicating actionable insights. This aligns with roles requiring advanced analytics and decision-making in supply chain optimization and industrial operations.
• Six Sigma Green Belt | Kennesaw State University: (Completed in approximately 6 months) Gained expertise in the Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control (DMAIC) methodology to enhance operational efficiency and reduce defects. Perfectly suited for quality management and continuous improvement roles in manufacturing and supply chain environments.
• Google Project Management Professional Certificate | Google: (Completed in approximately 6 months) Acquired skills in Agile and Scrum methodologies, stakeholder management, and project lifecycle management. These competencies are critical for managing complex cross-functional projects in supply chain and industrial engineering.
• Power BI Data Analyst Professional Certificate | Microsoft: (Completed in approximately 6 months) Demonstrated proficiency in developing interactive dashboards, data visualization, and extracting insights from complex datasets. This is crucial for roles focusing on data-driven decision-making and performance monitoring.
• Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate | Google: (Completed in approximately 6 months) Developed expertise in data cleaning, visualization, and analysis using SQL, Python, and R. These skills align with industrial and operations roles that rely on analyzing large datasets for efficiency improvements.
• Strategic Leadership and Management Specialization | University of Illinois: (Completed in approximately 6 months) Learned strategies for effective team management, leadership, and aligning business operations with strategic goals. This directly supports leadership positions in operations and supply chain management.
• Agile Leadership Specialization | University of Colorado: (Completed in approximately 6 months) Gained insights into leading agile teams, managing dynamic workflows, and fostering innovation in fast-paced environments. Ideal for roles requiring flexibility and adaptability in industrial and manufacturing operations.




Presentations

1. Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE) Annual Conference

April 2024 | Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Topic: Enhancing Remaining Useful Life in Solid-State Batteries: Smart Battery Management System Strategies

2. Industry Engineering and Management Systems (IEMS) Conference

March 2024 | Orlando, Florida, USA

Topic: Strategic Development of Solid-State Batteries in the USA: Overcoming Industrial and Supply Chain Barriers





Contact Me

Email: rm.saidur@outlook.com

Phone: +1 (605) 592-4382

Connect on LinkedIn