Robert Keene
About Robert Keene
Robert Keene is the R&D Operations Lead at Sandia National Laboratories, with extensive experience in engineering, manufacturing, and leadership roles across various industries.
R&D Operations Lead at Sandia National Laboratories
Robert Keene has been serving as the R&D Operations Lead at Sandia National Laboratories since 2021. In this role, he leads a team of over 20 members in the Nuclear Deterrence mission. His work involves understanding the impact of human factors on operations, which he leverages to enhance his leadership and coaching style. His strategic role at Sandia National Labs allows him to utilize his diverse skill set in Manufacturing, Lean, Six Sigma, and Agile methodologies to streamline processes and build efficient teams.
Previous Role at Sandia National Laboratories
Before becoming the R&D Operations Lead, Robert Keene worked as an R&D Mechanical Product Engineer at Sandia National Laboratories from 2019 to 2021. Based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, he utilized his engineering expertise to advance research and development projects. This role provided him with hands-on experience in mechanical product engineering, laying the foundation for his current leadership position within the organization.
Scrum Master and Continuous Improvement Engineer at E. & J. Gallo Winery
Robert Keene has substantial experience at E. & J. Gallo Winery where he worked from 2013 to 2019. He served as Scrum Master for both New Products and Agile Marketing from 2017 to 2019. Prior to that, he held the role of Continuous Improvement Engineer from 2015 to 2017. During his tenure, he was instrumental in implementing Agile methodologies and continuous improvement processes, which significantly impacted product development and marketing efficiency. His work spanned multiple locations, including Modesto and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Educational Background in Engineering
Robert Keene holds a Master of Science (MS) in Industrial Engineering from New Mexico State University, obtained between 2022 and 2023. He also earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Mechanical Engineering from the University of the Pacific, where he studied from 2008 to 2013. His educational background is complemented by his practical engineering experience, making him well-versed in both theoretical and applied aspects of engineering.
Diverse Sector Experience
Robert Keene has accumulated extensive experience across various sectors, including consumer packaged goods, marketing, and research and development. His early career includes roles at Gallo Sales Company in Sales Rotation and as a Harvest Operations Leader. Additionally, he gained valuable project engineering experience as an Engineering Co-op at General Mills in 2012. Robert’s versatile background enables him to bring a broad perspective to his current role, integrating best practices from different industries to foster innovation and efficiency.