David Skidmore: Built on Trust in Aerospace Automation

David Skidmore has spent nearly four decades solving complex manufacturing and automation challenges across aerospace and industrial environments. While he often jokes that he graduated from the “School of Hard Knocks,” his career reflects a deep foundation of hands-on engineering experience, practical problem-solving, and long-term customer partnerships.

David began his career in the early 1980s as an Electrical Journeyman/Foreman in Oklahoma, working directly with engineering teams and shop personnel to install industrial controls and instruments for oil and gas refining equipment  He later spent a decade as a Plant Maintenance Technician before transitioning into engineering roles within the Paper & Pulp industry, where he developed a deep understanding of electrical systems, machine operations, asset engineering, and process improvements.

When David joined Concept Systems in 2005 as a Senior Engineer in Seattle, his technical expertise and natural ability to build trusted customer relationships quickly set him apart. Over time, that foundation evolved into technical sales leadership, where he now serves as Principal Sales Engineer with more than 1,000 awarded opportunities across nearly two decades.

Today, David’s longstanding relationships throughout the Boeing ecosystem continue to help shape Concept Systems’ aerospace presence across the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Whether supporting aerospace modernization projects or helping customers navigate complex automation challenges, David is known for bringing practical experience and a steady hand to every conversation.

Technical Expertise Built Through Experience

David’s background spans electrical contracting, plant maintenance, asset engineering, controls engineering, project management, and business development. His specialties include complex motion control, robotics, machine vision, collision avoidance, and process control.

What truly sets David apart is his ability to translate technical solutions into conversations that customers can clearly understand. Whether discussing aerospace manufacturing processes, PLCs and HMIs, machine operations, or integration strategies, he has built a reputation for making complicated systems approachable while never oversimplifying the reality of the work.

As one peer Sales Engineer shared:

“His competence, credibility, work ethic, and commitment to follow through are core to his success. If David promises you something by Friday, you can sleep soundly knowing that he will not default on his commitments or he will communicate early with new expectations.”

A Reputation Built on Relationships

One recurring theme throughout David’s career is trust.

Customers trust him because he understands the technical realities of manufacturing environments firsthand. Engineers trust him because he never sells beyond what can actually be delivered. Internal teams trust him because he remains deeply involved long after a proposal is signed.

As another teammate shared:

“He’s not scared to get his hands dirty and regularly helps the field engineering teams solve electrical and programming issues, in addition to his day-to-day sales responsibilities.”

David’s approachable personality also leaves a lasting impression. Whether he’s breaking the ice with a well-timed dad joke, swapping stories about overseas commissioning work, or quietly recommending the best local ice cream spot after a long tradeshow day, he brings an authenticity that makes customers and coworkers feel comfortable immediately.

Lessons Learned Along the Way

David credits much of his professional growth to the people around him at Concept Systems. Early mentorship from Michael Gurney (Concept Systems Founder) helped shape his approach to writing PLC programs in a simpler, more maintainable way for customers. His involvement in project management and regional leadership teams also deepened his understanding of how strong systems and teamwork drive long-term success.

His philosophy today remains straightforward:

“Focus on the customers and what they expect out of our relationship, and work transactions. The job is not done until it’s done, done.”

After 20 years at Concept Systems, David Skidmore continues to demonstrate the kind of technical leadership, customer commitment, and industry relationships that drive successful projects in aerospace manufacturing and industrial automation every day.

Aerospace Projects That Defined a Career

While David now spends much of his time focused on customer relationships and business development, his engineering background continues to shape how he approaches every opportunity. His credibility was built onsite, solving complex manufacturing challenges alongside customers under real production pressure.

See David discuss Robot Integration in the Aerospace Industry here.

Application Experience

Paint Hangar Commissioning

Within just four months of joining Concept Systems, David was sent onsite to Everett, Washington, to support the recommissioning of the 45-04 Paint Hangar after years of unresolved process issues.

As David recalls:

“I was stuck onsite without any real process knowledge of how the air balance should work and faced by anxious managers and contractors that were way behind schedule. We worked many long hours and eventually discovered many of the airflow dampers had never actually been connected to air supply. The hangar had operated this way for years.”

The team ultimately resolved the issues and stabilized the hangar for another decade of operation before its next major retrofit. The experience also sparked what became a nearly 20-year working relationship within Boeing’s aerospace operations.

Read another story regarding a control system upgrade within an aerospace hangar.

Wing Rivet CNC Retrofits

David also played a key role in retrofitting massive wing rivet CNC systems responsible for drilling and fastening aircraft wings for programs like the 747, 767, and 777.

Reflecting on the project, David shared:

“These machines move on train tracks and are the size of a two- or three-story house. Even the smallest tuning change in motion control can make a substantial difference in operations. ”

While optimizing servo acceleration and deceleration rates during commissioning, David helped contribute to nearly a 3% reduction in production cycle times, which was an unexpected but highly impactful improvement that later helped pave the way for even larger retrofit programs.

Cranes, Motion Systems, and Facility Automation

Few areas better represent David’s long-term impact than his continued involvement in aerospace crane and material handling projects across the Pacific Northwest and beyond. What began as hands-on engineering and commissioning work in the mid-2000s has evolved into decades-long customer relationships that continue today through modernization efforts, retrofits, and ongoing system improvements.

As David explains:

“The project list is astonishing. It started in 2006 and continues today. From small gantry cranes that position parts to larger units that can lift a cockpit section of a 747 from a rail car, I’ve been involved in projects that promote operational safety, personal safety, and increased production across sites in North Charleston, Auburn, Renton, and Everett.”

During the Boeing 45-03 Paint Hangar rebuild, David served as project manager and led a team of engineers through nearly two years of construction and commissioning support. The experience became one of many foundational aerospace projects that helped establish Concept Systems’ long-standing presence within Boeing facilities.

Today, many of those same systems are reaching the next phase of their lifecycle and David now finds himself helping customers plan and execute retrofit work for systems he originally helped install nearly two decades ago. That long-term continuity has created a unique level of trust and operational familiarity that benefits both customers and project teams alike.

Core Competencies

Let’s Build Long-Term Solutions Together

Whether you’ve worked with David and the Concept Systems team for years or are looking for a trusted partner for a new automation initiative, now is a great time to start the conversation. From retrofit strategies and modernization efforts to entirely new systems, Concept Systems helps manufacturers solve complex challenges with practical experience and long-term partnership in mind.

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