1. CHRISTOPHER R. IRGENS
19480 Killarney Way
Brookfield, Wisconsin 53045
(262) 797-0881
cirgens@execpc.com
BACK GROUND SUMMARY
Director of Product Development experienced in diverse industries driven by both market and technology
requirements, offering creative solutions to new product initiatives. Effective communicator able to bridge the
technical and business facets of industry. Demonstrated strengths in;
New Business Dev. and Marketing Support Product Development Process /Systems
Advanced Product Concept Bank Expansion Adv. Manufacturing Process Development
Product Roadmaps / Business Case Dev. Creative & Team Oriented Environments
Concept Development through Implementation Effective Leadership Practices
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
ENGINEERED SOLUTIONS, INC. , Milwaukee, Wisconsin 2006 - Present
Provider of Engineering/Technical Services and Professional Staffing/Recruitment Services
General Manager / Engineering Manager
Directed both the Engineering and Staffing segments of the business including in-house design
engineering and client project support, contract staffing, and direct placement recruiting. Responsible for
the management of all in-house design/engineering staff, recruitment staff, company resources, as well as
client development and expansion for each segment.
MASTER LOCK COMPANY, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 1998 - 2006
Leading manufacturer of security, safety and automotive accessory products.
Director – Product Development 2005 – 2006
Responsible for the overall direction and development of product development programs, projects and
staff. Ensure the efficiency, quality, cost and timeliness of all new products, and for the mentoring and
training of key technical resources. Facilitate the timely integration of design and quality best practices
into the company processes and systems.
Sr. Staff Manager – Advanced Product Solutions 2003 – 2005
Responsible for the direction and development of advanced product development programs, projects and
staff. Focus on the product development front end activities including; consumer need analysis and
research, ideation, product solution development, intellectual property review, product technical and
market feasibility, business case development and review, and project transition to and support of product
launch teams.
Product Engineering Manager 1998 - 2002
Responsible for the direction and development of product development programs, projects and engineering
staff. Develop effective engineering, design, prototyping and validation resources and their supporting tools,
processes and systems. Established & maintained the department’s capital and expense budgets.
• Effectively structured and directed multiple Product Development Disciplines and their staff (11 to 33
employees). These disciplines include; Product Engineering Managers, Engineers (mechanical /
electrical / packaging), Design Staff (industrial / product), Model Makers, Technicians (product / test),
Engineering Services, Corporate Quality.
• Supported New Business Development and Marketing in the early product conception and
development phases with product roadmaps and business cases, establishing both product market and
technical feasibility, improving the company’s product strategic planning process.
• Expanded the concept bank of new growth opportunities through the promotion of internal ideation
and initiative projects, fostering an atmosphere / culture for innovation and creating new product
opportunities.
• Co-developed the New Product Development Process, establishing functional accountability and
substantially reducing development time for of new products while maintaining design and
development process integrity.
2. CHRISTOPHER R. IRGENS, Page 2
• Established the internal Design Engineering group as a core function for growth and company
competency while leveraging external design resources to compliment this capability.
• Introduced internal Industrial Design into Product Development improving consumer need research,
ideation, design language consistency and product aesthetic design.
• Substantially improved the product prototyping and validation capabilities and documentation,
assuring faster development times and design robustness.
OUTBOARD MARINE CORPORATION (OMC), Waukegan, Illinois 1984 - 1998
Leading manufacturer of recreational boats and marine power products.
Senior Engineering Manager - Corp. Manufacturing Engineering 1998
Led an Advanced Manufacturing Process Development Group for Corporate Manufacturing Engineering.
Promotion and transfer from Technology Development Center. Responsible for the research, testing,
analysis and development of traditional and advanced manufacturing processes relating to the marine
power products industry.
Research Engineering Manger - Technology Dev. Center 1996 – 1997
Led one of two Research and Development groups in the advancement of new products and advanced
manufacturing processes. Responsible for the management of 20 direct reports (Advanced Product &
Process Engineers, Designers, Model Makers and Technicians) and the projects they support. The typical
project scope encompasses new product design and process development from concept, prototyping,
performance testing and analysis through cost justification and project implementation.
Research / Staff Research Engineer - Technology Dev. Center 1984 - 1996
Development of advanced marine power products; their design and related manufacturing processes.
Research Engineering Experience – Fuel injector design & processing, Lost Foam casting, laser welding,
corrosion & wear resistant coatings, specialty machine design, rotary engine processing, connecting rod
fracturing, high speed machining & grinding, bi-metal machining, thermal spray coatings, ultrasonic
welding, metrology lab development
• Corp. Project Team Leader - Fuel Injector System Team,
* Development of FICHT pump/ nozzle design and processing.
* Clear improvements in product performance, reliability and cost realized
* Successful pilot and production facility development and product launch.
* Patented technology opened business opportunities outside marine industry
• Corp. Project Team Leader - Chrome Plating Elimination Team
* Governor’s Award 1992 - Excellence in Hazardous Waste Reduction
* Wisconsin Friend of the Environment Award 1993
• Two time OMC Chairman’s Award winner (Fuel Injection & Environmental)
CHRYSLER CORPORATION - Warren Truck Facility, Warren, Michigan 1983 - 1984
Management Development Program
BELOIT CORPORATION, Beloit, Wisconsin 1980 - 1982
Product Engineer – Paper Winders & Unwinds
EDUCATION/ LICENSE / PATENTS
MBA, University of Wisconsin - Madison BSME, University of Wisconsin - Madison
Professional Engineer (PE) - State of Wisconsin Patents – 24 granted / 5 pending
AFFILIATIONS
Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), American Society of Mechanical Engineers, MSOE RPC
Consortium Board Member, IDSA, BSA – Committee Chairman T156, Eagle Scout
