Nilda Rios
CHICAGO
Summary
Experienced Project Manager Professional with a strong engineering foundation seeking a challenging role where I can lead cross-functional teams, drive results through effective planning, communication, and technical problem-solving
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
Work History
Technical Project Manager
Sloan Valve Company
Franklin Park
10.2020 - Current
- Lead end-to-end execution of product development initiatives, including chrome flushometers and commercial restroom systems.
- Manage 5–10 simultaneous projects with cross-functional teams including engineering, manufacturing, quality, and external vendors.
- Develop and monitor detailed project charters, schedules (MS Project), and status dashboards to ensure alignment with strategic goals.
- Lead daily standups, engineering reviews, and pre/post Gate 5/6 meetings to track deliverables and resolve roadblocks.
- Implement risk management plans, ensuring mitigation actions for scope, timing, and cost challenges.
- Partner with regulatory, sales, and marketing teams to ensure alignment across product lifecycle.
- Coordinate ERP (SAP) project inputs for engineering change notices, cost tracking, and production readiness.
Project Manager (Contract)
Kustom Seating N.A.
Bellwood
08.2019 - 10.2020
- Oversaw the design and manufacturing of custom seating systems for transportation and entertainment venues.
- Defined contract activities, schedule milestones, and deliverables across engineering, procurement, and fabrication.
- Mitigated supply chain risks, led root cause sessions, and maintained cost controls under tight delivery windows.
- Conducted customer-facing meetings and prepared formal project updates for executive reviews.
Project Manager
Grundfos
Aurora
04.2016 - 05.2019
- Managed design and build of engineered water pump systems for municipal, industrial, and commercial clients.
- Reviewed customer specifications and translated requirements into technical BOMs.
- Led kick-off meetings and guided engineering through pump sizing, component selection, and testing.
- Tracked KPIs on customer satisfaction, schedule adherence, and cost performance.
- Partnered with sales engineers to prepare RFQs, client presentations, and project estimates.
Project Engineer
BakerCorp
Alsip
04.2014 - 04.2016
- Managed pump builds, upgrades, and validation testing across fleet equipment for industrial and environmental clients.
- Performed field support and remote technical consultation for setup, troubleshooting, and performance optimization.
- Provided hydraulic system calculations and recommendations for site-specific applications.
- Interfaced with purchasing on vendor selection, lead time tracking, and spec documentation.
- Authored maintenance manuals, service guides, and troubleshooting documentation.
Project Engineer
Concentric AB
Rockford
05.2012 - 08.2014
- Led $3M+ engineering projects for North American OEM clients in powertrain components.
- Designed and validated fuel, oil, and water pumps using CAD, CFD, and thermal analysis.
- Supported new business acquisition with quotation support, prototypes, and feasibility studies.
- Conducted internal quality audits, supported APQP documentation, and resolved PPAP issues.
- Coordinated with European teams and global suppliers on timeline alignment and process quality.
Project Engineer
Navistar, Inc.
Melrose Park
03.2005 - 05.2012
- Directed thermal system integration for diesel powertrains in vocational trucks, buses, and military platforms.
- Collaborated with engine, chassis, and controls teams to optimize cooling systems for efficiency and emissions compliance.
- Wrote technical specifications, performed thermal system mass balances, and conducted field validation tests.
- Created DVP&R plans and led cross-functional FMEA workshops to improve system reliability.
- Investigated warranty claims, led 8D root cause reviews, and presented design changes to senior management.
Summer Intern
Navistar
06.2002 - 08.2003
- Collected NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) test data and interpreted system response trends.
Summer Intern
Chevron Chemical Company
06.2000 - 08.2001
- Designed polyethylene piping systems for high-performance fluid applications.
- Selected materials and dimensions based on flow/pressure criteria and safety standards.
- Received Chevron Merit Scholarship Award for exceptional performance and innovation.
Senior Design Engineer
Navistar
- Led CFD and FEA studies using Kuli and Pro/E to validate system design integrity.
- Worked directly with military and OEM customers to define custom cooling packages.
Cooling System Design Engineer
Navistar
- Developed key cooling system components from scratch to production: water pumps, thermostats, and hoses.
- Ran fluid dynamic simulations, bench tests, and vehicle integration reviews.
- Reduced warranty claims through robust design enhancements; awarded Navistar “Bold Gold” Award for excellence.
Education
MBA - Project Management
Saint Xavier University (SXU)
Chicago, IL05.2019
BS - Mechanical Engineering
Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT)
Chicago, IL05.2004
Skills
- Project planning and scheduling (Agile, Waterfall, Hybrid)
- Budget management and ROI analysis
- Risk management and analysis
- Test development and documentation
- Flow simulation and system analysis
- Software proficiency (Pro/Engineer, MATLAB, Mathcad, AutoCAD, C, SAP ERP)
- Microsoft Office Suite expertise
- Six Sigma Green Belt certification
- Presentation and stakeholder engagement
- Cross-functional team leadership
Affiliations
- Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
- Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
- Business Students Association (BSA)
Timeline
Technical Project Manager
Sloan Valve Company
10.2020 - Current
Project Manager (Contract)
Kustom Seating N.A.
08.2019 - 10.2020
Project Manager
Grundfos
04.2016 - 05.2019
Project Engineer
BakerCorp
04.2014 - 04.2016
Project Engineer
Concentric AB
05.2012 - 08.2014
Project Engineer
Navistar, Inc.
03.2005 - 05.2012
Summer Intern
Navistar
06.2002 - 08.2003
Summer Intern
Chevron Chemical Company
06.2000 - 08.2001
Senior Design Engineer
Navistar
Cooling System Design Engineer
Navistar
MBA - Project Management
Saint Xavier University (SXU)
BS - Mechanical Engineering
Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT)
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