Jim Rodriguez
About Jim Rodriguez
Jim Rodriguez serves as the Vice President of Operations at MD Helicopters, Inc., where he has worked since 2017. He has held various engineering and leadership roles across multiple companies, including Meggitt PLC and General Dynamics Electric Boat Corporation, and possesses extensive experience in aerospace engineering and manufacturing operations.
Current Role at MD Helicopters
Jim Rodriguez serves as the Vice President of Operations at MD Helicopters, Inc., a position he has held since 2017. In this role, he oversees critical functions including Production Planning, Manufacturing, Industrial and Tooling Engineering, and Sustaining (Design) Engineering. He is also responsible for Facilities and Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S). His leadership contributes to the execution of production schedules for military, law enforcement, and commercial aircraft.
Previous Experience in Aerospace Engineering
Rodriguez has extensive experience in the aerospace sector, having held various engineering and leadership roles. He worked at Meggitt PLC in multiple capacities, including Vice President of Engineering and Vice President of Global Metals Procurement. His tenure at General Dynamics Electric Boat Corporation included positions as Associate Engineer and Sr Engineer, where he contributed to engineering projects over several years.
Education and Professional Certifications
Rodriguez has a solid educational background in engineering and business. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical/Space Engineering from NYU Polytechnic School of Engineering. He also holds an MBA in Accounting and Finance from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Additionally, he has achieved certifications such as Certified Professional Manager (C.P.M.) and Six Sigma Black Belt, enhancing his expertise in management and process improvement.
Leadership Roles in Engineering and Management
Throughout his career, Rodriguez has held significant leadership roles in engineering and management. He served as Vice President of Engineering at Meggitt Sensing Systems North America and as Vice President Engineering at Crane Controls. His experience also includes a role as Executive Technical and Management Recruiter at Wimbush & Associates, where he focused on talent acquisition in technical fields.
Expertise in FAA Regulations and Manufacturing Operations
Rodriguez possesses extensive knowledge in managing FAA Part 21 Manufacturing Operations and FAA Part 145 Completions/Repair & Overhaul. His expertise in these areas is critical for ensuring compliance with aviation regulations and standards, which is essential for the production and maintenance of aircraft systems.