Sr Principal Systems Engineer resume example

Most recent 15+ years have been the technical lead of 10-20 person teams, for dozens of technically diverse efforts including completely new airborne and shipboard RADAR systems, airborne data links, and navigation aids and others. Primarily performed system concept/architecture development starting at the B&P/contract award stages & then typically continuing post-award as the technical lead implementing system design and requirements apportionment that usually included detailed hardware design and software/firmware task definition. Additionally, the technical lead position supported the non-technical project/program management functions, e.g. providing periodic engineering related status tracking and reporting and representing Engineering at internal, and customer-attended, program reviews. Years ago, the program management function at SNC became non-technical and mostly contract compliance and budget focused, so the lead engineer absorbed most of the responsibility to keep the engineering side of programs on-track.

Most recent technical involvement, either as the technical lead or as a technical contributor included:

• Integration and Test lead for a newly developed airborne ELINT system incorporating extremely high-speed/high band-width digital receivers and embedded FPGA based signal processing. Designed/implemented custom automated precision test fixturing to support direction finding and ranging qualification testing in both indoor anechoic chambers and out in the field.
• Major redesign/upgrade of the 40+ year old AN/SPN-35 Shipboard Precision Approach RADAR (~15 systems currently in production). Tasking included "start from scratch" re-architecting of the majority of the support electronics and human interface control and maintenance. Integrated multiple racks of dated and un-maintainable equipment into a single rack with significantly improved BIT and maintenance capabilities. Replaced discrete switches/knobs/lights with a rugged touch screen interface and freed-up valuable below-deck space for future growth.
• Complete redesign of below-decks electronics for shipboard AN/SPN-43 General Search RADAR supporting a concept demonstration. Tasking included: Raw 400HZ 3PH AC shipboard power conversion; Custom FPGA and touchscreen based human interface control and maintenance replacing discrete toggle switches, bulbs and relays; Subcontracting for a highly integrated enhanced digital receiver, and solid-state 200kW transmitter; Retrofitting a transportable GFE connex with the system and integrating on-site with an antenna system to successfully demonstrate capability.
• Implementing a helicopter-based US Army Degraded Visual Environment (DVE) sensor package that combined data from millimeter wave RADAR/day-night video/IR & eventually LIDAR sources. Designed and implemented cockpit/pilot display and control interfaces for helicopter variants. Supported numerous field flight test evaluations at various Army test facilities over a number of years. Designed/implemented airborne qualified test and recording equipment including utilizing high-bandwidth OTS data links to enable real-time ground monitoring of flight test.

Other past efforts at SNC included:

• Concept demonstration of a microwave based airborne landing assist system for tactical, medivac, etc. application, successfully demonstrated at California NASA facility. Also designed/implemented custom data recording/analysis special test equipment to support flight tests.
• UAV based millimeter wave landing system for US Marine Corp CH-53E helicopters at Camp Pendleton, Ca. (concept demo)
• Microwave-based artillery training evaluation system for US Army tanks and other tactical vehicles