Michael Karls
About Michael Karls
Michael Karls is the Lead IT Design (PLM) at Harley-Davidson Motor Company, where he has worked since 2006. He specializes in Thingworx Mashup Development and Service Design, and has been a member of the PTC Windchill Solutions Technical Committee since 2007.
Current Role at Harley-Davidson
Michael Karls serves as the Lead IT Design (PLM) at Harley-Davidson Motor Company. He has held this position since 2006, contributing to the Willie G. Davidson Product Development Center. In this role, he focuses on process and systems design for Original Equipment (OE), Product Assurance Center (PAC), and General Merchandise Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) projects. His expertise in PLM is complemented by his specialization in Thingworx Mashup Development and Service Design.
Professional Experience at PTC
Prior to his tenure at Harley-Davidson, Michael Karls worked at PTC as an Application Engineer from 1995 to 2001. During his six years at the company, he gained valuable experience in product lifecycle management solutions. His role involved technical support and application development, which laid the groundwork for his later work in PLM at Harley-Davidson.
Education and Expertise
Michael Karls studied at the Milwaukee School of Engineering, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology (BS-MET) from 1991 to 1994. His educational background provides a strong foundation for his expertise in Windchill Architectural Design, encompassing web, database, application, and server security. He has been a member of the PTC Windchill Solutions Technical Committee since 2007, further demonstrating his commitment to advancing PLM technologies.
Military Service Background
Michael Karls served in the US Air Force Reserve as a Technical Sergeant, specializing as a Communications/Computer Systems Operator from 1988 to 1994. His six years of military service contributed to his technical skills and discipline, which he applies in his current role in IT design and PLM.
Achievements and Recognition
Throughout his career at Harley-Davidson, Michael Karls has received four Continuous Improvement Black Awards. These awards recognize his contributions to enhancing processes and systems within the organization, reflecting his commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence.