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Gara Rifeta Zejnic

Berkeley, CA 94704 | 510-859-4272 |

Professional Summary

Structured, methodical, and highly proactive Mechanical Engineer with extensive experience in high-stakes scientific projects within a world-wide corporation as well as a national laboratory. Strong customer-oriented mindset, attention to detail, and a focus on high-quality, timely delivery. Demonstrates a holistic approach, grounded in a fundamental understanding of standardized work processes and their impact on long-term project success and legacy. Adept at cross-functional “gap-filling” and operational oversight, ensuring project continuity through proactive vendor management, QA execution, and lifecycle data integrity. Proven track record in taking the initiative to automate workflows with own-developed scripting, streamline processes, and actively prevent delivery delays.

Core Competencies and Skills

  • Technical Procurement & Workflow Optimization: Statement of Work (SOW) development, technical Documentation packages, vendor reations and evaluation, process mapping, and guideline development.
  • Quality Assurance & Compliance: Acceptance criteria list templates, acceptance inspection reports, non-conformance reports (NCR) and deviation reports, Windchill (wtPart, serialization, records retention).
  • Project Coordination & Mentorship: Holistic approach, gap-filling, supply chain logistics, risk mitigation, configuration management, workflow automation via scripting and AI, and technical staff training.
  • Software & Tools: Windchill, EZOI, Jira, MS Office, Markdown, Google Sheets scripting, Linux, AODocs, AutoCAD 3D, Mechanical Desktop, Gemini Gems, Gemini CLI.
  • Languages: English (Fluent), Swedish (Fluent), Bosnian (Fluent).

Professional Experience

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) | Berkeley, California Mechanical Engineer 2 / Technical Procurement Representative | July 2021 – Present

  • Process Development & Workflow Optimization
    • Developed and presented the “AQUA” tool, a scripted and AI-leveraged solution to automate and streamline quality assurance requirement selections for low-complexity fabrication procurements, reducing manual effort and error rates.
    • Formalized Technical Procurement Representative (Tech Rep) operations by authoring comprehensive work process documentation, including onboarding guides and requisition workflow overviews.
    • Developed a comprehensive document lifecycle management system in AODocs to bridge collaboration gaps for the CMB-S4 project; configured a functional workflow including structured review cycles, library architecture, and UAT (User Acceptance Testing) protocols as a ‘ready-for-implementation’ solution.
    • Established a standardized work process and tracking system for incoming goods in collaboration with the ALS-U Mechanical Technicians team prior to the current Logistics team setup.
    • Mentored and trained newly hired Manufacturing Engineers and Designers on procurement processes, requisition preparation, and acceptance inspection protocols.
  • Technical Procurement & Supply Chain Management
    • Independently managed the full procurement lifecycle for critical ALS-U subsystems, taking a holistic approach to ensure immediate tasks align with the bigger project picture and long-term maintenance legacy.
    • Actively worked to prevent delivery delays and maintain strict alignment with project timelines, including ensuring project continuity through proactive vendor support during critical off-peak periods.
    • Assumed ownership of cross-functional bottlenecks, such as vendor payment resolution, to maintain supply chain stability and partner trust.
    • Facilitated reciprocal site audits and technical exchanges to evaluate vendor manufacturing capabilities, strengthen collaboration, and safeguard project timelines.
  • Quality Assurance Initiative & Record Retention
    • Executed end-to-end Quality Assurance functions during resource gaps, including the development of inspection protocols and rigorous record retention in Windchill to ensure auditability.
    • Managed the full lifecycle of non-conformance reports (NCR) and deviations, ensuring rigorous adherence to project standards through to resolution.
    • Initiated and implemented a key quality assurance measure to include weld coupons, paint samples, and surface treatment requirements in SOWs for large ALS-U weldments (SR + ATS/STA rafts and support structures) pre-RFP.
    • Advocated for the correction of non-critical drawing discrepancies to ensure the integrity of legacy documentation and prevent downstream procurement errors.

Habeas Corpus Resource Center | San Francisco, California Legal Case Assistant | March 2020 – September 2021

  • Case Support & Data Management
    • Processed documents and metadata in support of legal case teams representing indigent death-row inmates.
    • Managed extensive information resource libraries, ensuring accurate coding and tracking of legal documentation to support habeas corpus proceedings.
    • Prioritized and coordinated multiple complex and sensitive work projects in parallel while providing frontdesk backup directing client phone calls.

Habeas Corpus Resource Center | San Francisco, California Temporary Clerical Assistant | September 2019 – March 2020

  • Administrative Support
    • Provided administrative support to resource and legal staff, including processing sensitive correspondence and record requests.
    • Organized and maintained physical filing systems for critical case documentation and backed up frontdesk directing client phone calls.

Temporary Contractor | Berkeley, California Property Manager | November 2016 – March 2020

  • Property Management
    • Managed repair and cleaning services, handled tenant complaints, and conducted unit inspections for properties in Berkeley.
    • Collected rents and interviewed potential new tenants for vacant units.

Firebrand Artisan Breads | Oakland, California Baker | November 2015 – July 2016

  • Production
    • Managed dough mixing, shaping, and proofing processes in a high-volume, time-managed environment.
    • Supported various departments to ensure timely production of artisanal breads and pastries.

Ericsson AB / ST Ericsson | Lund, Sweden Configuration Manager | September 2009 – November 2012

  • Configuration & Change Management
    • Administered the Change Control Board for major software development projects in a 100+ member R&D organization, ensuring software traceability and release integrity.
    • Established and maintained baselines, version handling, and status accounting for software deliverables and technical documentation within R&D as well as Customer Services organization.
    • Coached team members on PDM system usage and managed baseline handling to ensure full traceability and audit compliance for software deliverables.

ST Ericsson | Lund, Sweden Software Object Leader | May 2009 – September 2009

  • Software Remediation Coordinator
    • Monitored software correction status and facilitated dialogue between customer service teams and developers.
    • Analyzed turn-around times to ensure compliance with performance metrics for issued corrections.

Ericsson AB, BU Mobile Platforms | Lund, Sweden Delivery Coordinator | August 2007 – May 2009*

  • Delivery & Process Optimization
    • Coordinated internal software deliveries, developed new working methodologies, and wrote detailed work instructions.
    • Implemented performance metrics to analyze lead times and audit plan adherence.

Ericsson Mobile Platforms, Ericsson AB | Lund, Sweden Team Coordinator | October 2005 – August 2007*

  • Workflow Coordination
    • Coordinated customer change request handling across cross-site support teams and secured necessary analysis resources.
    • Initiated working groups to improve workflow accuracy and efficiency.

* Leave of absence (living abroad): October 2006 – May 2007; May 2008 – April 2009

Ericsson Mobile Platforms, Ericsson AB | Lund, Sweden Configuration Manager | January 2002 – September 2005

  • Strategic CM and Release Lifecycle
    • Collaborated cross-functionally with Test and Verification teams (Unit, Field, and IOT) to ensure baseline stability and facilitate the seamless handoff of builds for rigorous 2.5G/3G interoperability testing.
    • Authored and implemented comprehensive Configuration Management Plans
    • Orchestrated documentation baseline releases, synchronizing technical specifications with major platform milestones to ensure alignment between software builds and customer-facing documentation.

Ericsson Communications Systems, Ericsson AB | Lund, Sweden Technical Administration | March 2000 – January 2002

  • PDM and Lifecycle Management Specialist
    • Orchestrated end-to-end product data and documentation lifecycles, ensuring rigorous version control and efficient distribution of audited technical specifications.
    • Established a release handling framework that integrated product specifications directly with manufacturing systems to streamline factory-floor synchronization.

Scanpipe (Contractor at Tetra Pak) | Landskrona, Sweden Mechanical Constructor | June 1999 – March 2000

  • Engineering & Design
    • Created piping drawings and bills of material using AutoCAD 3D and Mechanical Desktop for beverage processing equipment.

Education

Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering Production Technology and Logistics Lund Institute of Technology at Lund University | Lund, Sweden | 1995 – 1998

Professional Development & Training

  • LBNL Engineering Training: ALS-U QA Program Overview; Windchill wtPart & Change Management Series; GD&T Training Series (Parts 1-5); Introduction to Mill and Lathe Operation.
  • General & Leadership Training: Supply Chain Foundations; Quality management for operational excellence; UC Managing Implicit Bias Certificate Series; Culture of Feedback; Allyship.

Awards

  • ALS-U Spot Award (September 2023): Recognized for diligence and contribution to the management of over $5 million in procurements supporting critical CD-3 milestones for the ALS-U project.

Volunteering Experience

  • Boost! West Oakland, Lafayette Elementary School | Oakland, Calinfornia Tutor and Mentor | November 2018 - May 2019

  • Tutored and mentored middle-school students in academic skills and learning attitudes for mathematics.

  • California Academy of Sciences | San Francisco, California Botany Department Volunteer | April 2013 - November 2015

  • Digitalized physical botanical research collections, managing data entries and classifications.

  • Boys and Girls Clubs of San Francisco | San Francisco, California Tutor (Tenderlion Teen Clubhouse) | March 2013 - November 2015

  • Homework tutoring in middle-school and high-school mathematics

Other

  • Permanent resident (fully authorized to work in the United States)
  • Non-work permit visa period 2012-2015.

Last update: 2026-04-13T06:57:13+0000