Derek Roberts
About Derek Roberts
Derek Roberts is the PLE Innovation Manager for Light Vehicle (Low Emissions) at Faurecia, with over 20 years of experience in engineering and quality systems development. He has held various engineering management roles and has a strong background in product optimization and design efficiency.
Current Role at Faurecia
Derek Roberts currently serves as the PLE Innovation Manager for Light Vehicle (Low Emissions) at Faurecia, a position he has held since 2019. In this role, he focuses on innovative solutions aimed at reducing emissions in light vehicles. His responsibilities include overseeing projects that enhance product performance while ensuring compliance with environmental standards. Roberts has contributed to the company's strategic initiatives in low-emission technologies.
Previous Experience at Faurecia
Prior to his current role, Derek Roberts held several positions at Faurecia. He was the Global Benchmarking - Engineering Manager from 2015 to 2019, where he was responsible for engineering benchmarks to improve product quality and performance. Before that, he served as the Advanced Engineering Product Development Manager from 2013 to 2015, and as the CAD Group Design Engineering Manager from 2011 to 2013. His tenure at Faurecia has spanned over eight years, during which he has developed expertise in engineering management and product development.
Experience at Enkei America, Inc.
Derek Roberts worked at Enkei America, Inc. for 11 years, from 1997 to 2008, where he held the position of Global Account Engineering Manager. During his time there, he successfully reduced the design cycle by 35% through the implementation of configuration management, advanced user interfaces, and 3D printing for styling confirmation. His contributions significantly enhanced the efficiency of the engineering processes within the company.
Educational Background
Derek Roberts has a strong educational foundation in engineering and business. He earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Indiana Wesleyan University, where he studied from 2003 to 2005. Prior to that, he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology (BSMET) from Missouri University of Science and Technology, studying from 1991 to 1993. Additionally, he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Design Technology and Digital Electronics from Missouri State University, which he completed from 1986 to 1989.
Professional Expertise
Derek Roberts has over 20 years of experience in quality systems development and internal auditing, with a leadership role in ISO 9000, TS16949, and ISO 17025 standards. He also has 14 years of experience in product optimization, utilizing Finite Element Analysis (FEA) in gravity die-cast aluminum wheel design and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for mold design and gas flow analysis in emission control systems. His technical expertise supports his roles in engineering management and product development.