John Gravelyn

Residential real estate is a $45 trillion system currently running on marketing fluff and gut feelings. After a decade in engineering leadership, launching production lines and designing systems to recover $60 million in lost time, it became clear to me that the housing market is just a massive story problem in need of a better model. I built First Principles Partners to be the system patch for th

Built and scaled a high-performing process engineering team from 2 to 25 members, establishing robust workflows and operational standards. Developed and implemented machine-specific protocols, guiding engineers through complex troubleshooting to prevent costly production downtime. Mentored team members and fostered a culture of accountability and ownership. Cultivated trust and inspired team engag

Led program management and process engineering transformation for major assembly lines, aligning cross-functional stakeholders across manufacturing, quality, and supply chain to exceed delivery goals.

I had the opportunity to lead the launch and ramp-up of Rivian's vertically integrated drive unit assembly line, addressing critical quality and delivery challenges that threatened production timelines. My role was to diagnose root causes of complex issues, propose actionable solutions, and walk engineers through implementation, keeping everyone moving forward when analysis paralysis threatened to

I spearheaded completion of stalled prototypes while simultaneously launching new product builds, often under incredibly tight timelines. I managed all aspects of parts and tools for the initial R1S saleable builds, including one hyper-compressed stall build executed with just one day's notice.

I especially enjoyed building strong supplier relationships that dramatically reduced lead times and es

Led a global digital transformation roadmap to establish an enterprise prototype reporting and performance management platform, delivering executive governance across EV and AV fleets.

I directed all aspects of U.S. certification testing, ensuring compliance, accuracy, and safety across combustion, hybrid, and electric vehicle programs. I applied my data-driven mindset to streamline testing processes and eliminate inefficiencies. I really enjoyed streamlining testing processes and applying data-driven insights to support on-time program delivery and consistent regulatory approva

This is where I really learned the power of automation and data visualization in driving business decisions. I identified a critical need for standardized reporting across global prototype operations and led the development of solutions that dramatically improved delivery timelines.

Some key accomplishments:

• Designed and implemented an automated global prototype reporting system that enhanced

Developed new scheduling tools and automate old manual tools to oversee the prototype build process Maintain schedules and ensure urgency within the build process. Solved new and unfamiliar problem using communication and research.

Pursued a Master of Engineering in Industrial Engineering at the University of Michigan-Dearborn.