Professional Summary
Lead Electronics Design Engineer and Project Engineer with over 25 years of experience in hardware design, systems engineering, and leadership within the aerospace and defense sectors. Expert in both product development and project management, with deep knowledge of analog and digital circuit design, high/low-power systems, worst case analysis, and process optimization using methodologies like 5S, VSM, and Root Cause Analysis. Proven success in mission-critical projects, including the design and testing of complex power systems and electronics for space and defense applications. I possess an MBA, BSEE, and Secret Security Clearance.
Skills
- Engineering Skills: Analog/Digital Circuit Design, High/Low Power Systems, (WCA) Worst Case Analysis, PCB Design, Microcircuit Packaging, EEE Components, Circuit Design Reporting, and Electronics Testing.
- Software and Tools: OrCAD PSpice, LTSpice, Altium, Microcap, Labview, Arduino, SolidWorks, CREO, MATLAB, Visio, Project, MS Office & VBA, Visual Basic, C, SQL, Python, HTML, web design.
- Systems Engineering: Requirements Gathering, System Architecture Design, Model-Based Engineering, Military Standards (MIL-STD-883, MIL-PRF-38534, MIL-STD-1547, IPC-2221).
- Process Improvement: Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE), 6S (5S + Safety), Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping (VSM), Root Cause Analysis.
Professional Experience
Lead Electronic Design Engineer / Project Engineer
Aerojet Rocketdyne, an L3 Harris Technologies Company, Canoga Park, CA (1998 – 2024)
- Progressed from Test Engineer, Systems Engineer (2006) to Lead Electronic Design Engineer (2008).
- Drove a 100% mission success rate as the Electronic Design Lead for the RS-68 ECU (Engine Control Unit) on the Delta IV rocket, guiding the project to its successful sunset by troubleshooting any problems with the ECU or test equipment.
- Served as Electronics Lead for an R&D program aimed at minimizing Avionics costs for munition delivery systems, utilizing commercial-off-the-shelf components such as GPS/GNSS systems, PixHawk controllers, and customizations of QGroundControl and Ardupilot software.
- Developed circuits for a Power Processing Unit (28VDC to 600VDC, 13.5kW power converter) used in Ion Propulsion (Hall) Thrusters like AEPS Thruster.
- Created PSpice model of “Spark Events” for NASA’s Hall Ion Thrusters.
- Modeled circuits and performed WCA for national missile defense programs.
- Led the design and testing of critical power management systems for the Dream Chaser program, acting as product owner and interfacing with systems engineering, mechanical, procurement, and program management teams. Focused on battery management and power switching PCBs.
- Reverse engineered test equipment from an external supplier and transitioned it in-house.
- Developed and programmed firmware for test equipment to seamlessly interface with the Battery Management System (BMS).
- Oversaw production Acceptance Testing, managing Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) and EEE parts throughout the process.
- Applied ACE to streamline processes and improve project efficiency, contributing to higher productivity and cost savings.
- Drove business initiatives for in-house PCB manufacturing, cutting costs and prototype time.
- Designed underwater drone circuits and fixed other circuit elements for that purpose.
- Lead designer on RS-25 rocket ECU and designed pressure, low- and high-temperature circuits.
- Conducted extensive WCA, stress, and derating analysis to ensure reliability in harsh environments (temperature, vacuum, radiation).
- Managed the Electronic Control Unit designs for the J2-X rocket ECU from CoDR, PDR, to CDR.
- Traveled to customers (Boeing, Honeywell, Sierra Space, Aerospace, ULA, NASA) to troubleshoot and repair, receiving accolades for problem resolution.
- Designed a Go-No-Go Output Over Voltage Tester for Space Shuttle to International Space Station’s (ISS) Power Transfer Unit.
- Led the laboratory operations for thermal vacuum and burn-in chambers, significantly enhancing testing procedures and product reliability for ISS on High Power components [such as the DC-DC Converter Unit (DDCU), Main Bus Switching Unit (MBSU), Remote Power Control Unit (RPCM)].
- Programmed WonderWare for thermal chambers and PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers).
Software Engineer and M.I.S. Administrator
Kretek International, Moorpark, CA (December 1997 – March 1998)
- Managed the company's computer systems and databases.
- Interfaced with backend databases (SQL, Access) to generate reports.
- Created data-driven insights for the sales team to close deals more effectively.
Software Engineer
Interactive Strategies Inc., Westlake Village, CA (February 1997 – December 1997)
- Oversaw maintenance of Windows & SQL servers hosting essential services for multiple clients, ensuring minimal downtime.
- Developed IVR (Interactive Voice Response) scripts for custom call centers.
- Created server monitoring systems in Visual Basic to notify maintenance teams of server failures.
- Wrote custom SQL Server scripts to automate data processing.
Process Engineer
DPA Components International, Simi Valley, CA (March 1993 – December 1997)
- Began as a tester for discrete components; promoted to overseeing PCB manufacturing for Burn-In boards, eventually becoming a Process Engineer in the custom packaging lab for ICs.
- Conducted rigorous testing of electronic components (diodes, op-amps, digital ICs) to meet up-screening standards.
- Implemented process improvements that restructured and organized the PCB Manufacturing Department, reducing costs.
- Designed Universal Boards to streamline production of Test & Burn-In PCBs.
- Built custom hybrid ICs, including die-attaching, aluminum/gold wire-bonding, and seam-sealing.
- Earned the “Technical Achievement Award” by DPA Labs for producing the company’s first hybrids.
- Received “Outstanding Job Performance Recognition” from Honeywell for on-time delivery of PCBs.
Education
- Master in Business Administration – Keller Graduate School of Management, Sherman Oaks, CA (2012)
- Bachelor of Science in Electronic Engineering – ITT Technical Institute, Anaheim, CA (1995)
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