Andrei Cristea - Mechanical optical engineer...

Q: Where is Andrei based?

Andrei is based in Șelimbăr, Romania .

Q: What languages does Andrei speak?

Andrei speaks the following languages: English (Native), Spanish (Intermediate), French (Intermediate), Italian (Elementary) .

Q: How many years of experience does Andrei have?

Andrei has at least 16 years of experience. During this time, Andrei has worked in at least 8 different roles and for 5 different companies . The average length of individual experience is 2 years . Note that Andrei may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

Q: What is Andrei's latest experience?

Andrei's most recent position is Mechanical optical engineer - contract based at Nippon Seiki (Europe) B.V .

Q: What companies has Andrei worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Andrei has worked for Nippon Seiki (Europe) B.V , Smart Product Design , and HARTING ROMANIA MANUFACTURING .

Q: Which industries is Andrei most experienced in?

Andrei is most experienced in industries like Manufacturing and Automotive .

Q: Which business areas is Andrei most experienced in?

Andrei is most experienced in business areas like Operations , Project Management , and Quality Assurance . Andrei also has some experience in Product Development , Production , and Procurement .

Q: Which industries has Andrei worked in recently?

Andrei has recently worked in industries like Manufacturing and Automotive .

Q: Which business areas has Andrei worked in recently?

Andrei has recently worked in business areas like Product Development , Project Management , and Operations .

Recommended expert

Șelimbăr, Romania

Experience

Dec 2021 - Present

4 years 4 months

Munich, Germany

Mechanical optical engineer - contract based

Nippon Seiki (Europe) B.V

coordinate internal project team for related mechanical/optical tasks
assure smooth interface with customer (Mercedes, BMW, Porsche, Audi, Volvo)
negotiate with customer to assure required design and cost effectiveness
provide customer support with design solutions, requirement updates and problem solving topics
define timing plans and assure implementation according to schedule and aligned requirements
define design improvements and countermeasures proposals
change management and design review
FMEA
follow-up development gates
propose and implement cost reductions solutions
product drawing creation and updates in Catia or Siemens NX
propose, negotiate and coordinate validation plans and risk assessments
reflection simulation in 3ds Max and Zemax
VAVE Activity Lead – reduced paint cost by 50% through direct negotiation with customer and supplier, updated technical specifications to reflect improvement status and performed full risk assessment prior to release
reduced overall validation test budget by 35% through structured negotiation with customer, optimized internal planning, and carry-over of validation agreements from similar projects, resulting in improved tailored validation alignments
led cross-functional mechanical, optical and production site development teams for German OEM Head-Up Display projects (Mercedes, BMW, Porsche, Audi and Volvo)
coordinated development phases, VAVE, FMEA, validation plans, risk assessments and design reviews across international teams
task force manager for escalated project topics

Dec 2021 - Present

4 years 4 months

Sibiu, Romania

Owner of Smart Product Design

Smart Product Design

provide services for new product development, optical systems design, project management, mechanical component design, tool design concept, process improvement, validation concepts, technology integration
domains: injection molding 1K/2K/3K, over molding, die casting, painting/platting, hot stamping, laser/tampo printing, assembly devices/lines, measurement devices concepts, measurement method definition

Mar 2018 - Dec 2021

3 years 10 months

Sibiu, Romania

Development mechanical engineer

HARTING ROMANIA MANUFACTURING

guide and optimize product design to assure smooth introduction in serial production
define mold design concept requirements
select suppliers based on project specification and cost effectiveness
approve mold design for external and internal suppliers
integrate new technologies
prepare investment proposals and amortization cost calculations for needed equipment and technologies
implement cost efficiency improvement activities
define and optimize process settings
optimize tools to achieve quality and productivity goals
manage project related documentation
manage change notifications
automate standard injection processes
manage molding production area digitization project and implement Arburg ALS software

Mar 2016 - Feb 2018

2 years

Oradea, Romania

Project Buyer

SC VERNICOLOR SRL

negotiate commercial terms and develop equipment and processes with external suppliers from acquisition phase until SOP
nominate suppliers and provide technical support and follow-up for development open points
manage injection molds from quotation phase and design development until SOP
handle injection machines acquisition and validation on supplier side
design and approve assembly lines
purchase and develop paint solutions according to customer requirements
develop painting jigs
plan validation testing for painted and plated parts
develop, purchase and implement plating racks
define and implement packaging solutions
define and close contracts with suppliers to assure project-specific commercial, logistic and technical requirements

Mar 2015 - Mar 2016

1 year 1 month

Sibiu, Romania

Production manager

MARQUARDT SCHALTSYSTEME SCS

coordinate injection molding production department organized into four production groups, each with team leader, process engineer, quality engineer, production planner, shift leaders, setters, quality technicians, logistic responsible and operators
define and implement production reorganization concepts according to needs and trends
approve and implement organizational chart
manage approximately 100 injection machines distributed by tonnage
train, monitor and evaluate staff
define and follow-up action plans to achieve aligned KPIs
conduct daily PDCA for current open points
implement and monitor new projects and technologies within department
participate in workshops to improve global injection process efficiency
ensure interface with assembly, electronics, painting departments, development team, tool shop, maintenance, raw material supply and other departments

Oct 2013 - Mar 2015

1 year 6 months

Sibiu, Romania

Measurement laboratory & Quality assurance Team leader- Molding department

MARQUARDT SCHALTSYSTEME SCS

lead teams for measurement laboratory and quality assurance in plastic department
manage department budget

Measurement laboratory:

develop personnel capacity from 3 to 15 employees
train and evaluate personnel
implement new work processes, procedures, concepts and technologies
endorse laboratory equipment: CMM measuring machine, 3D model scanning, microscopes, fixing devices, specialized software
implement PDCA

Quality assurance:

develop personnel capacity from 6 to 12 quality technicians and 3 quality engineers
train and evaluate personnel
implement PDCA
develop and implement new SPC concept worldwide
implement new SPC software
prepare investment proposals based on calculated benefits
manage customer audits
lead quality management for injection molding department

Jun 2012 - Oct 2013

1 year 5 months

Sibiu, Romania

Quality engineer - Molding department

MARQUARDT SCHALTSYSTEME SCS

support internal and external claims with 8D reports
conduct QRQC (Quick Response Quality Control)
manage PPAP in plastic molding department
act as internal VDA 6.3 auditor for manufacturing processes
implement statistical process control
develop concepts and measures to ensure required quality standards
analyze process and mold modifications
manage change notifications and drawing modifications
perform internal analysis to solve quality problems
prepare work and verification instructions
prepare documentation for audits
conduct capability studies
transfer production lines, machines and equipment including various molding tools and laser machines
train R&D personnel on optimal geometrical construction for serial production validation
serve as SPC & MSA trainer and 2D & 3D drawing trainer

Jun 2010 - Jun 2012

2 years 1 month

Sibiu, Romania

Mechanical Technician

MARQUARDT SCHALTSYSTEME SCS

organize measurement laboratory department
prepare A.M.P.B (initial sample report) for molds
track measurement and control equipment
manage PPAP
co-audit process audits VDA 6.3 and provide technical support for client complaints
conduct capability studies and complex measurement reports
create and update work instructions
perform internal calibrations
train new employees
justify and acquire laboratory equipment: 3D measuring machine and microscope
train R&D personnel on optimal geometrical construction for serial production validation

Industry Experience

See where this freelancer has spent most of their professional time.

Experienced in Manufacturing and Automotive.

Manufacturing

Automotive

Business Area Experience

See which departments and functions this freelancer has contributed to most.

Experienced in Operations, Project Management, Quality Assurance, Product Development, Production, and Procurement.

Operations

Project Management

Quality Assurance

Product Development

Production

Procurement

Skills

Driving Licence

Languages

English

Native

Spanish

Intermediate

French

Intermediate

Italian

Elementary

Education

Oct 2012 - Jun 2014

Faculty of Engineering "Hermann Oberth", University of Engineering "Hermann Oberth"

Master, Quality Management · Engineering · Sibiu, Romania

Oct 2008 - Jun 2012

Faculty of Engineering "Hermann Oberth", University of Engineering "Hermann Oberth"

Machine Constructions · Sibiu, Romania

Oct 2004 - Jun 2008

National College "Gheorghe Lazar", National College "Gheorghe Lazar"

Physics · Sibiu, Romania

Certifications & licenses

Driving Licence

Statistics

Experience

Total positions 8

Experience in Manufacturing 16 y

Avg length 2 y 6 m

Longest experience 4 y 3 m

Global Experience

Countries worked in 2 (Romania, Germany)

Primary country Romania

Expertise

Recent roles Mechanical optical engineer - contract based, Owner of Smart Product Design, Development mechanical engineer

Main industries Manufacturing, Automotive

Main business areas Operations, Project Management, Quality Assurance

Qualifications

Highest degree Master

Certifications earned 1

Profile

Created

March 2026

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Frequently asked questions

Do you have questions? Here you can find further information.

Where is Andrei based?

Andrei is based in Șelimbăr, Romania.

What languages does Andrei speak?

Andrei speaks the following languages: English (Native), Spanish (Intermediate), French (Intermediate), Italian (Elementary).

How many years of experience does Andrei have?

Andrei has at least 16 years of experience. During this time, Andrei has worked in at least 8 different roles and for 5 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 2 years. Note that Andrei may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

What roles would Andrei be best suited for?

Based on recent experience, Andrei would be well-suited for roles such as: Mechanical optical engineer - contract based, Owner of Smart Product Design, Development mechanical engineer.

What is Andrei's latest experience?

Andrei's most recent position is Mechanical optical engineer - contract based at Nippon Seiki (Europe) B.V.

What companies has Andrei worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Andrei has worked for Nippon Seiki (Europe) B.V, Smart Product Design, and HARTING ROMANIA MANUFACTURING.

Which industries is Andrei most experienced in?

Andrei is most experienced in industries like Manufacturing and Automotive.

Which business areas is Andrei most experienced in?

Andrei is most experienced in business areas like Operations, Project Management, and Quality Assurance. Andrei also has some experience in Product Development, Production, and Procurement.

Which industries has Andrei worked in recently?

Andrei has recently worked in industries like Manufacturing and Automotive.

Which business areas has Andrei worked in recently?

Andrei has recently worked in business areas like Product Development, Project Management, and Operations.

What is Andrei's education?

Andrei holds a Master in Engineering from Faculty of Engineering "Hermann Oberth", University of Engineering "Hermann Oberth" and a Bachelor in Machine Constructions from Faculty of Engineering "Hermann Oberth", University of Engineering "Hermann Oberth".

Does Andrei have any certificates?

Andrei has 1 certificate: Driving Licence.

What is the availability of Andrei?

Andrei will be available full-time from April 2026.

What is the rate of Andrei?

Andrei's rate depends on the specific project requirements. Please use the Meet button on the profile to schedule a meeting and discuss the details.