Taner K.

Experience

• Design Senior Specialist / Design Manager / Advanced Research Manager ASSANHANIL AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY AND TRADE INC. · Full-time Jun 2007 – Present 19 yrs 5 mos Alikahya Fatih, İzmit/Kocaeli, Türkiye Advanced Research Manager | 02.2026 – 09.2026
  • Spearheaded R&D strategy, technology development initiatives, and intellectual property portfolios to drive corporate innovation.
  • Directed university-industry collaboration projects and managed external R&D project funding structures.
  Design Manager | 05.2022 – 02.2026
  • Coordinated end-to-end design operations for vehicle seats, plastic components, and composite structures with multi-disciplinary project stakeholders.
  • Managed enterprise PLM (Enovia) processes, optimizing workflow efficiency and design release timelines.
  • Led structured cost-reduction initiatives across seat and component product lines, achieving significant material and manufacturing cost efficiency.
  Design Senior Specialist | 06.2018 – 05.2022
  • Major Programs: Ford Transit (V710 Seats), Ford & VW DCC, Ford V769, Hyundai Motor Company (FCEV Seats), Truck Seat 2.0, Composite Seat Structure Development.
  • Developed concept and detailed designs for structural frameworks and plastic trim parts in accordance with OEM specifications.
  • Engineered innovative driver seat ventilation systems and composite backrest structures.
  • Prepared and published detailed product family Bill of Materials (BOM) for seat design feasibility and manufacturing readiness.
  • Developed comprehensive DFMEA documentation and conducted rigorous seat benchmarking studies
• Structural Subsystems Specialist OTOKAR AUTOMOTIVE AND DEFENSE INDUSTRIES INC. · Full-time Feb 2007 – Jun 2026 19 yrs 4 mos Arifiye/Sakarya, Türkiye ALTAY MAIN BATTLE TANK PROJECT
  • Engineered concept and detailed structural designs for Hull and Turret assemblies under rigorous military specifications.
  • Owned design responsibility for mine blast-resistant driver seat, footrest, driver headrest, and crew seats (Commander, Gunner, Loader).
  • Designed protective housing assemblies for driver front/rear view cameras.
  • Managed complete technical documentation, prototype production, ballistic/mine testing compliance, and non-compliance engineering change actions.
  ARMOURED VEHICLE PROJECTS (Tulpar, Tulpar S, Arma 8x8, Arma 6x6, Kale 4x4, Cobra 2 4x4)
  • Tulpar & Tulpar S: Designed mine blast-resistant crew seats (driver, commander, gunner) and blast-mitigating floor structures.
  • Arma 8x8: Engineered mine blast-resistant seating, composite add-on armor packages, spall liner integration, and external fuel tank shielding.
  • Cobra 2 & Other Units: Conducted engine compartment packaging, weight equipment configuration for mine certification, and wiper mechanism integration.
  COMMERCIAL BUS PROJECTS
  • Designed front/rear shell trims, complete glass packages, and interior trim components from initial concept to prototype production support.
• Cad Designer Autoliv · Full-time Jun 2007 – Feb 2008 8 mos Gebze, Kocaeli, Türkiye Designed driver airbag module, steering wheel cover, and container structures for Renault L38 project; coordinated prototype production and test planning.