Executive Engineering Leader · Inventor

Steve Rogers – Intelligent Systems & Automotive Innovation

Physicist, engineer, and prolific inventor building human-centered machines for the automotive, aviation, and connected world.

I lead global engineering teams delivering advanced automotive service equipment, AI/ML-driven measurement systems, and cloud-connected platforms. My work spans robotics, aircraft systems, precision imaging, and intelligent automotive service solutions with over 60 issued U.S. patents.

View Selected Patents

Currently: Vice President of Engineering, Snap-on Equipment · Based in Conway, Arkansas

About

I’m an executive engineering leader and prolific inventor with a lifelong passion for creating intelligent, human-centered machines. Educated and experienced as a physicist, engineer, programmer, electronics designer, and organizational leader, I bring a multidisciplined foundation to complex product development spanning automotive service equipment, robotics, aircraft systems, AI/ML, advanced imaging and vision-based measurement, precision sensing, A/V server technology, UX/UI design, RF communications, and connected web-based platforms.

Today I lead global research and development efforts at Snap-on Equipment, helping automotive OEMs, shop owners, and service technicians work more accurately, efficiently, and safely through innovative hardware-software-systems integration.

Core Competencies

Key areas where I bring depth and repeatable results:

Global Engineering Leadership Innovation & Intellectual Property AI/ML & Vision-Based Measurement Product Strategy & Roadmapping Hardware–Software–Systems Integration Agile & Concurrent Engineering Cloud, IoT & OTA Architectures Precision Sensors & Imaging Systems Automotive Service Equipment Data Science & Analytics

Experience

Vice President of Engineering

Snap-on Equipment, an international division of Snap-on Incorporated

February 2020 – Present · Automotive service equipment

Lead global R&D operations spanning more than a dozen multidisciplinary engineering teams across seven countries with a multi-million-dollar budget.
Own end-to-end product development for 30+ product lines serving automotive OEMs, shop owners, and service technicians worldwide.
Championed Agile and Concurrent Development processes.
Drove major innovations in AI-assisted UIs, ML-based camera and structured-light measurement, server-based analytics, mobile apps, and cloud-connected IoT platforms with OTA updates.
Key member of the executive team presenting quarterly business performance to the Snap-on Inc. Chairman and senior leadership.

Director of Engineering – Worldwide Critical Measuring

Snap-on Equipment, Conway, AR

January 2011 – February 2020

Led worldwide research and product development of Snap-on’s Critical Measuring product lines, including wheel alignment and collision repair.
Directed and coordinated large, diverse teams in five countries.
Served as a key member of division staff and quarterly business review teams.

Electronics and Research Engineering Manager

Snap-on Equipment, Conway, AR

August 2003 – January 2011

Managed a staff of highly skilled hardware/firmware design engineers.
Selected and directed the design of global alignment, collision repair, and tool control products.
Served as lead electronics research and design engineer on all major projects.

Vice President, Product Development

InTheAirNet, Irvine, CA

November 2002 – August 2003 · In-flight entertainment and airborne servers

Directed simultaneous multi-million-dollar airborne product development programs for major commercial and business aviation customers.
Oversaw server family development, as well as sales and marketing to drive adoption across key accounts such as Airbus, Boeing, Delta, Panasonic, and Thales.
Implemented engineering processes that enabled ISO/AS certification within one year.

Vice President, Sales and Marketing

Audio International, Division of United Technologies

August 2001 – November 2002 · N. Little Rock, AR

Directed Sales, Marketing, System Engineering, and Product Management with responsibility for $25M+ in revenue.

Vice President of Engineering

Audio International, Division of United Technologies

February 1999 – August 2001

Led 50+ electrical, mechanical, and software engineers with a $7M+ budget, delivering high-end audio/video and cabin management systems for private and business aircraft.

Early Career – John Bean Company & Motorola

Conway, AR & Fort Worth, TX

Chief Electronics Engineer, Senior Staff Engineer, Senior Project Engineer – John Bean Company.
Senior Design Engineer – Computer Aided Manufacturing, Motorola.

Patents

I hold more than 60 issued U.S. patents (plus associated European and Asian patents). Below is a unified list of my U.S. patents in descending numerical order.

US 12,467,748 – Wheel Aligner with advanced diagnostics and no-stop positioning
US 12,467,747 – Wheel Aligner with advanced diagnostics and no-stop positioning, using drive direction calculation
US 11,933,606 – Wheel Aligner with advanced diagnostics and no-stop positioning
US 11,933,282 – Apparatus and method for calibrating and aligning automotive sensors
US 11,698,250 – Wheel Aligner with advanced diagnostics and no-stop positioning, using drive direction calculation
US 11,408,732 – Wheel Aligner with advanced diagnostics and no-stop positioning
US 11,073.381 – Self-Calibrating Wheel Aligner with improved portability
US 10,692,241 – Vehicle wheel alignment methods and systems
US 10,670,392 – Wheel Aligner with advanced diagnostics and no-stop positioning
US 10,567,650 – Motor control system for a self-calibrating multi-camera alignment system
US 10,508,907 – Wheel Aligner with advanced diagnostics and no-stop positioning
US 10,473,458 – Self-Calibrating Wheel Aligner with improved portability
US 10,371,509 – Wheel Aligner with advanced diagnostics and no-stop positioning
US 10,347,006 – Vehicle wheel alignment methods and systems
US 10,284,777 – Self-calibrating multi-camera alignment system
US 10,072,926 – Wheel aligner with advances diagnostic and no-stop positioning
US 9,626,559 – Target marking for secure logo validation process
US 9,587,934 – Vehicle wheel alignment system and methodology
US 9,577,866 – Distributed vehicle service method and system
US 9,122,999 – Image-based inventory control system
US 8,904,654 – Vehicle wheel alignment system and methodology
US 8,693,286 – Position measurement for collision repair systems
US 8,539,684 – Vehicle wheel alignment system and methodology
US 8,452,484 – Wireless network and methodology for automotive service
US 8,353,456 – Image-based inventory control system
US 8,073,586 – Wireless network and methodology for automotive service systems
US 8,032,279 – Wheel alignment head and system with advanced power management
US 7,937,844 – Vehicle wheel alignment system and methodology
US 7,917,259 – Distributed Vehicle Service Method and System
US 7,855,783 – Improved integrated Circuit Image Sensor for Wheel Alignment Systems
US 7,703,213 – Vehicle wheel alignment system and methodology
US 7,684,026 – Fault tolerant wheel alignment head and system
US 7,581,324 – Wheel Alignment System Using Smart MEMS
US 7,458,165 – Vehicle wheel alignment system and methodology
US 7,369,222 – Wheel Aligner Measurement Module Attachment System
US 7,313,869 – Vehicle wheel alignment system and methodology
US 7,307,737 – Three-dimensional (3D) measuring with multiple reference frames
US 6,859,699 – Network-based method and system for distributing data
US 6,826,532 – Hands free automotive service system
US 6,564,128 – System and method for distributed computer automotive service equipment
US 6,560,516 – Method for conducting vehicle diagnostic analyses using distributed structure
US 6,405,111 – System and method for distributed computer automotive service equipment
US 6,298,290 – Method and apparatus for measuring vehicle components
US 6,295,615 – Network-based method and system for distributing data
US 6,289,356 – Network-based method and system for distributing data
US 6,285,932 – Computerized automotive service system (Internet connected)
US 6,282,469 – Computerized automotive service equipment using multipoint serial link data transmission protocols
US 6,085,428 – Hands free automotive service system
US 5,999,867 – Computer interface board for electronic automotive vehicle service equipment
US 5,734,569 – Computer interface board for electronic automotive vehicle service equipment
US 5,602,733 – Automotive Service Equipment Expert System
US 5,592,383 – Wheel Aligner Cordless Communications Unit
US 5,385,045 – Tire Changing and Balancing Machine
US 5,307,279 – Self Diagnostic Wheel Balancer
US 5,220,399 – Wide Angle Wheel Alignment System
US 5,208,646 – Wheel Alignment System
US 5,201,224 – Apparatus and Method for Sensing Unbalance Force and Location through Frequency Modulation
US 5,109,715 – Location Designator for Wheel Service Machines
US 5,103,595 – Apparatus and Method for Reducing Vibration Characteristics in a Wheel Rim and Tire Assembly
US 5,054,918 – Light System for Measurement of Orientation and Physical Features of a Workpiece

Contact

I’m always open to thoughtful conversations around intelligent automotive systems, AI/ML-driven measurement, advanced imaging, and product strategy at the intersection of hardware, software, and data.

The best way to reach me is via email:
steve@stevewrogers.com

Quick facts:

B.S. in Physics, with minors in Mathematics and Computer Science.
Executive engineering leadership across automotive and aviation industries.
More than 60 issued U.S. patents plus international counterparts.
Interests: basketball, cooking, family time, and building intelligent machines that make work more effective and more enjoyable.