David Rowatt PhD, PE

Chief Technical Officer at WireCo

Salt Lake City, Utah, United States

About David Rowatt PhD, PE

David Rowatt PhD, PE is Chief Technical Officer at WireCo. Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, United States.

I am an engineering leader and technical management executive. I work and thrive at the intersection of technology and business with a focus on the development, commercialization and support of product and service solutions that achieve business growth. I have extensive experience in research, engineering, manufacturing, quality systems, supply chain and operations support. I have worked with large multinational companies, small and medium enterprises, startups, universities and government agencies. I recruit, develop and lead results-oriented teams and partnerships that deliver exceptional results. Core Competencies • Leadership and people management including organizational design, change management, training and development, and competency / performance assessment. • Technology management covering strategy formulation, opportunity assessment and decision processes, technology roadmaps, intellectual property management, portfolio management, strategic partnerships, and digital transformation / Industry 4.0. • Program / project management using stage-gate, agile, and hybrid processes for HW, SW and systems development in support of IRAD, customer-funded, and government funded programs. Experience in MS Project, Jira, MS Planner, and similar tools. • Systems engineering including requirements engineering, risk management, operability, safety, reliability, testing and evaluation, maintainability, and obsolescence / decommissioning of complex engineered systems. Experience in Helix and Jama requirements management platforms. • Mechanical engineering with a concentration on machine design, advanced materials, automation, and robotics. Experience in CAD (Solidworks, Creo), PDM/PLM (Solidworks, Windchill), and knowledge of similar tools. • Manufacturing and supply chain management processes including traditional and additive manufacturing, continuous improvement (LEAN Six Sigma), supplier management, and quality management (ISO 9001). Experience in ERP systems (JDE, Netsuite, MFGPro) and knowledge of similar systems. • Research program development and administration with Tier 1 research universities. • Government contract management and regulatory compliance including DCMA compliance, TRL/MRL assessments, EVM for project execution, information management, and trade control compliance. • Financial management covering capital, operating, and R&D budgets, planning and forecasting. • Communications with a focus on technical writing, presentations and public speaking.

Skills

  • Leadership
  • Management
  • Cross-functional Team Leadership

Additional experience

  • SVP Engineering, Global Steel

    WireCo

    April 2024 – June 2025

Education

  • PhD, Rice University
  • Strategic Finance, IMD