SUMMARY
Aerospace Engineer with experience in flight dynamics and controls research, and product development with the goal of increasing the current capabilities of autonomous unmanned systems. Comprehensive knowledge of state-of-the-art sensors and embedded electronics with extensive programming experience. Skilled in applying practical engineering principles to achieve both research and commercialization goals. Strong leadership skills with the ability to make sound technical decisions on the direction and goals of projects. Passionate about making aerial vehicles safer and more capable. Highly motivated, energetic, and results-oriented.
INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE
Lead Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineer (Co-Founder)
Panoptes Systems Corporation – Cambridge, MA, January 2015 – Present
(Panoptes Systems is a subsidiary of Aurora Flight Sciences)
• Designed and implemented the controller for the Panoptes eBumper, the first commercially available collision avoidance system for consumer drones
• Leads algorithm and sensor development efforts focused on advancing environment perception and collision avoidance technologies on small-scale UAVs
o Develops state estimation and control algorithms and implements them in flight hardware through C/C++ and Python
o Implements sonar, laser range finders, scanning lasers, stereo cameras, and IMUs, among other sensor types, into small-scale UAVs
o Integrates sensors into embedded systems such as ATMega and ST MCUs, as well as Linux-based systems such as Raspberry Pi and Intel Edison
o Designs PC-based flight test utilities using LabVIEW and Matlab, as well as tablet-based utilities using Java/Android Studio
• Researches new sensor technology and collaborates with the CTO in defining long- and short-term technical plans
• Represents the company’s technology in strategic discussions with potential customers and investors, defining and detailing technical efforts and future integration plans
Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineer
Aurora Flight Sciences, R&D Center – Cambridge, MA, July 2014 – Present
• Acted as Principal Investigator on a program involving researching and experimenting with new methods of gust rejection for both fixed-wing and rotorcraft UAVs
o Wrote code to control the aileron actuators and interface with optical strain gages mounted along the length of a wing
o Designed linear controllers that acted on wing strain feedback to counteract roll disturbances due to wind gusts
o Performed wind-tunnel testing of gust rejection methods in preparation for fully-integrated flight testing
o Met with program managers, contractors, and university collaborators regularly to discuss project goals and technical progress
• Worked with a 4-person team to design, prototype, and commercialize new collision avoidance hardware and sensor suites for small UAVs, such as the Panoptes eBumper released in Fall 2014, resulting in the Panoptes Systems spin-off company
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Graduate Research Assistant
Autonomous Vehicle Lab, Univ. of Maryland – College Park, MD, June 2012 – July 2014
Key research experience:
• Collaborated with the Army Research Lab in designing and fabricating a micro-quadrotor UAV capable of aggressive maneuvering
• Designed and implemented inner and outer loop controllers for micro air vehicles, using optimal, robust, and adaptive control techniques, to enable aggressive maneuvering
• Developed and coded both Euler- and quaternion-based state estimators for use on small-scale UAVs using on-board IMUs and other available sensors
• Applied system identification methods to identify dynamic models of unknown aerial systems
• Worked jointly with Stanford’s Biomimetics and Dextrous Manipulation Lab in integrating a dry-adhesive perching mechanism on a micro-quadrotor UAV
• Implemented a trajectory generation algorithm and trajectory tracking controllers to enable aggressive perching maneuvers for the micro-quadrotor using the Stanford dry-adhesive
• Used a Vicon motion capture system to provide feedback control and record flight data
Additional experience:
• Applied concepts learned in advanced coursework to flight research vehicles
• Presented research at lab meetings and US Army grant reviews, specifically MAST CTA
• Met deadlines throughout the year for various grants and wrote quarterly and annual status reports for the US Army
• Performed research demonstrations for a variety of lab visitors from other universities, government agencies, and military officials
TECHNICAL EXPERTISE
Software: MATLAB, Simulink, LabVIEW, Linux, Android Studio, IAR Embedded Workbench (MSP430), Atmel Studio, Git/SVN, SolidWorks, Pro/E, Vicon Tracker, LaTeX, Microsoft Office Suite
Programming: C/C++, MATLAB, Python, Java (Android development), HTML, Visual Basic, SQL
Hardware: Embedded Microcontrollers (Texas Instruments, Atmel, ST, etc.), Intel Edison, Raspberry Pi, Peripheral devices (I2C, SPI, UART, USB, PWM, SD/Flash, GPS, etc.), A/D Conversion, Analog Amplification, Instrumentation (Oscilloscope, Data Acquisition, Logic Analyzers)
EDUCATION Master of Science – Aerospace Engineering ...
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