Profile

Systems Engineer with strong background in analysis, modeling/simulation, control, system/software development/integration, and verification/validation in the aerospace, aviation, and automotive industries. Prior foundational experience in a robotics research and development laboratory setting with applications in autonomous vehicles and manufacturing automation. Well-versed in translating technical understanding from theory through implementation to practice including many hours of debugging software and hardware while iterating through the integration of complex systems. Proficient with systems engineering process from requirement definition to validation. Regarded as a trustworthy technical colleague who tends to “get things done” and is sometimes referred to by nicknames such as “MarkGPT”

Experience

Ball Aerospace Technologies Corp, Boulder, CO

System Test Engineer (Observatory I&T GSW Lead), Space VehiclesMay 2023 - present

• Lead test script/software development, simulation, and validation for 5 mission partner payloads using “right-size” approach for each
• Lead development and implementation of ground system integration for mission partner situational awareness and test data delivery
• Deliver all test script products on schedule with excellent deployment success exhibiting no functional anomalies nor required changes
• Support observatory I&T campaign as test team SME for GSE, GSW, and first order diagnosis of bus FSW and payload behavior

System Test Engineer (Test Automation Lead), Space VehiclesAugust 2022 - present

• Lead test script/software development, configuration/change management planning/training/development for 3 civil space vehicles
• Maintain test script repository scoped to approximately 50k lines of executable program scripts and 15k lines of functional tools/utilities
• Curate modular architecture of reusable scripts by driving commonality across programs and components throughout script lifecycle
• Mentor junior to senior level engineers with version control tools, programming languages, and automated test frameworks and methods
• Develop and deploy test-driven test script development workflows leveraging XIL simulators to digitally validate test scripts
• Contribute to roadmapping the test automation future for space vehicles by investigating new tools and performing trials and trades

System Test Engineer (Test Software Lead), MechanismsDecember 2021 - August 2022

• Lead test script development/maintenance through script validation and test execution for a civil space mechanism test campaign
• Lead anomaly investigation to determine root cause(s) of intermittent failures due to both hardware and test equipment
• Design, implement, and validate a robust algorithm for in-flight mechanism initialization and fault management to rework faulty design
• Develop and deploy multiple digital engineering tools for cross-functional users to increase productivity while decreasing human error

Moog Inc, Aircraft Group, East Aurora, NY

Development Engineer (Systems Engineer), Test EquipmentFebruary 2020 - November 2021

• Lead system design of actuator acceptance and qualification test systems for a new pusher propeller rotorcraft design through all program phases from requirement definition to critical design review (currently in build phase)
• Specify, design, and implement real time code for semi-automated test system controller (dSPACE MicroLabBox) including all system controllers (position, load, pressure regulation), safety & monitoring, and IO interfaces
• Analyze system level closed loop performance to express anticipated requirement compliance at CDR and discuss potential discrepancies
• Derive and allocate requirements for scripted automation features to be implemented by software department
• Lead system level redesign using simulation models of a hydromechanical load system to meet customer’s dynamic performance requirements by deriving sub tier component performance specification before building an under-performing design
• Reverse engineer and rebuild multiple legacy production test stands from existing hardware and as-built drawings to provide maintenance and reliability support to sustainment and improve digital documentation of deployed equipment
• Define and verify functional requirements for generic test software tools that replace legacy mechanical equipment through digital transformation of assembly and test processes
• Build, integrate, and test a XIL test system for development and training purposes in the test equipment systems lab
• Lead CONOPS development for departmental digital design and Industry 4.0 (IIOT) strategy

Clemson University (CU-ICAR), Greenville, SC

Research Engineer III, Vehicle Automation GroupJuly 2017 - February 2020

• Lead platform specification and operation planning for $1M Open Connected and Automated Vehicle program
• Lead technical projects in vehicle automation and advanced manufacturing (robotics) executed by PhD students
• Supervise 3 interns and 1 MS thesis including vehicle autonomy, mobile manipulation, machine vision, physical prototyping
• Continuously train PhD students in technical development topics to supplement academic and research experience
• Design, integrate, validate robotic systems built on MATLAB/Simulink Real-Time and Robot Operating System (ROS)
• Procure, test, train users, manage inventory for over $250k in robotics laboratory and instrumentation equipment
• Negotiate scope of work for new projects between researchers and private project partners

Skills

Education

University at Buffalo (UB)

MS in Mechanical EngineeringFebruary 2017

dynamics, controls, and mechatronics

Thesis: Application of Consumer-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) Devices to Human Motion Analysis

Advisor: Professor Venkat Krovi

Graduate Coursework Portfolio

BS in Mechanical EngineeringJune 2014

summa cum laude

Undergraduate Coursework Portfolio

Niagara County Community College (NCCC)

AAS in Mathematics and ScienceAugust 2011

Research and Technical

Master's Thesis, UB

Application of Consumer-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) Devices to Human Motion AnalysisFall 2016

Development of a prototypical human upper limb motion analysis system using consumer devices.

• Original software tools to access Myo and Sphero data in near-real-time from MATLAB
• Theoretical upper limb modeling of forward/inverse kinematics, intrinsic/extrinsic model calibration
• Validation of software functionality, model correctness, accuracy assessment

Mechatronic Interface Software Development2014 - present

Myo SDK MATLAB MEX Wrapper2016 - present

Developed a wrapper that exposes streaming IMU and sEMG data (at 50Hz and 200Hz) from Thalmic Labs' Myo Armband in MATLAB m-code through the MATLAB executable (MEX) C/C++ API.

YouTube Preview (video) | MathWorks File Exchange (code) | GitHub (code) | Implementation Design (wiki)

Sphero API Matlab SDK2014 - present

Extended the functionality of Sphero MATLAB Interface to expose frequently requested device features of Sphero's low-level (network) binary API by writing a new core device class with a backwards-compatible interface.

YouTube Preview (video) | MathWorks File Exchange (code) | GitHub (code) | Implementation Design (wiki) | Sphero API Tutorial (wiki)

ARMLAB, UB2015 - 2016

Research Assistant

Automation, Robotics, and Mechatronics Laboratory

Lab Director: Professor Venkat Krovi

• Manage focused projects and subtasks in parallel cooperation with the research team
• Design and operate a ground reaction force data collection system interface using Matlab and Wii Balance Board
• Implement time-synchronization hardware (optical trigger) and post-processing software for temporal correspondence of data from multiple sources

Pelvic Floor Analysis, ARMLAB2014 - 2015

Engineering Team Research Assistant

Does the Orientation of the Spine and Sacrum Protect the Pelvic Floor?

PI: Tova Ablove, MD, Faculty Advisor: Professor Venkat Krovi

The objective of this project is to gain insight on the nature of force distribution on the pelvic floor muscles through cadaveric experimentation. Various experiments were designed in which geometric pose of the subject was controlled, intra-abdominal pressure was the input or excitation, and contact force on the pelvic floor muscles was measured. I was on a team of two engineering students supporting this work in the following ways.

• Generate technical specifications and select a suitable instrumentation for experimental data acquisition (tactile pressure sensor and supporting hardware/software).
• Develop frameworks for virtual modeling of personalized pelvic floor geometry and produce physical models with additive manufacturing technology
• Contribute technical insight in the way of considerations for experimental protocol that favor minimal compromise to data quality

Leadership and Volunteer

ARMLAB, UBJune 2014 - present

Hardware Manager

Automation, Robotics, and Mechatronics Laboratory

Lab Director: Professor Venkat Krovi

• Administer and audit inventory logs for a diverse and dynamically changing hardware collection
• Source equipment and prepare new orders for purchasing
• Assemble and test new hardware upon receipt
• Advise lab personnel on safe and effective operating procedures

MAE-GSA, UB2014 - 2016

President

Graduate Student Association, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

• Stimulate the social, academic, and professional growth of more than 200 graduate students in the department
• Organize and promote Interdepartmental events for student career growth
• Foster professional relationships with integral university administration and staff
• Manage annual budget and associated operational expenditures

IEEE RAS at UB2015 - 2016

Chair

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Robotics and Automation Society, Student Chapter, UB

Faculty Advisor: Professor Venkat Krovi

• Advocate the state of the art in robotics, both technical and societal, to a broad audience
• Organize and execute technical talks, tutorials, and workshops for a multidisciplinary engineering student body
• Mentor students with technical and professional aspects of supported academic and research projects

CPNC, UB2015 - 2016

Co-ChairApril '15, '16

Career Perspectives and Networking Conference, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

The dynamic program for this event included collocation of numerous workshops and job-skills presentations from university Career Services and International Student Scholar Services, panel discussions and keynote speeches featuring accomplished alumni who have maintained strong relationships with our school, a talent fair showcasing many of the school's corporate partners, and a networking luncheon among other activities.

• Work with a team of four graduate students to conceive, organize, and execute the inaugural event in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at University at Buffalo
• Promote the initial concept internally to gain support and motivation for the first-ever event of this kind
• Recruit and assemble a larger group of professional experts (administration and staff) across various offices of the university

Learning Center, SAGES 2016, ARMLAB, UB2016

Lead Functional Coordinator, HITL Interactive Surgical Simulation

Coordinator: Professor Venkat Krovi, Steven Schwaitzberg, MD, FACS

Provide a supplemental two-day workshop for surgeons to showcase core technical strengths underpinning surgical simulation including; (i) controlled presentation of stimuli; (ii) instrumented measurement of the user’s interaction (with various sensing technologies); (iii) quantitative metrics for graded performance and skill evaluation. The objectives for this activity were,

• Learn about the state of the art in human-in-the-loop surgical simulation
• Compare evaluation of alternate technologies with a focus on economic and logistic viability
• Learn about the ongoing development of validating the novel class of quantitative metrics

ASME IDETC/ADMIF 2014, Buffalo, New York2014

Student Organizing Chair

Conference General Chair: Professor Venkat Krovi

• Planned and executed the conference opening reception as a representative of the host sponsor, University at Buffalo
• Managed the coordination of event planning with key university administrators, faculty, and staff as well as ASME representatives
• Led a team of 50 student volunteers in event execution (preparation, set-up, operations, tear-down)
• Supported the General Conference Chair with on-site operations at the conference

Invited Speaker, NCCC2013 - present

Engineering Careers ForumS'14, S'15, S'16

Special Topics in Undergraduate Engineering AcademicsF'13

Teaching Experience

Teaching Assistant, UB2014 - 2015

Mechatronics (MAE 576)S'15

Professor Venkat Krovi

• Support the course by supplementing the professor's efforts with course administration and instruction
• Design lab experiments for implementation of mechanical systems with embedded processing
• Offer primary technical support to students in their lab work (e.g. debugging hardware/software and discovering connections between theory and practice)

Applied Mathematics for MAE (MAE 376)F'14

Professor Venkat Krovi

• Conducted two laboratory sessions weekly (sessions were one hour with 40 students each)
• Instructed students in core concepts of programming in Matlab
• Held two office hours weekly and assisted professor with administrative duties

Student Assistant, UB2013 - 2014

System Dynamics Laboratory (MAE 334)S'14

Machines and Mechanisms (MAE 311)S'14

Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Practice (MAE 277)F'13

Math Center Tutor, NCCCF'10, S'11

• Provide one-on-one and group tutoring in calculus, differential equations, linear algebra, and physics to walk-in students and by private appointment

Private Tutor, Independent Contract2005 - present

• Provide supplemental instruction to highschool, college, and university students based upon their needs in subjects of math, science, computer programming, and engineering.

Work Experience

The Net Cracker LLC, North Tonawanda, NY2011 - present

Technical Support

Provide remote and in-the-field support for Windows-based PCs in a business environment

• Maintain software, network connectivity, and multiple user accounts on five laptop PCs
• Troubleshoot computer problems remotely via telephone with untrained personnel
• Provide technology installation, maintenance and repair services to customers

Independent Contract2011 - present

Commercial Media Design

Design and produce marketing graphics, business documents, and other promotional media for multiple small businesses and organizations.

• Instill consistency with creativity in new, unique aesthetic designs
• Support projects through completion as determined by client satisfaction

Independent Contract2006 - present

Construction/Maintenance (Residential & Commercial)

Design, plan, build, maintain, repair residential and commercial properties, structures, and contained elements (such as utility systems, appliances, etc.) for jointly owned properties and those owned by a local commercial entrepreneur.

• Practical, real-world project management
• Problem solving with open scenarios
• Business / financial affects on decision making
• Experience interacting with many perspectives of engineered systems

Specialty Vending, Wilson, NY2005 - 2013

Assistant Event Production Supervisor2007 - 2013

Manage the productivity of 5-8 employees performing time-sensitive event venue set-up tasks for the Labatt's Canal Concert Series (North Tonawanda, Lockport, NY), Molson Canal Concert Series (Lockport, NY), Niagara River Rocks Concert Series (North Tonawanda, NY), and Shred and Regan Cruise Nights (Williamsville, NY).

• Develop and implement new strategies for optimizing procedural efficiency
• Coordinate workflow with other teams to overcome limitations of the working environment
• Train, educate, and motive new, inexperienced employees frequently

General Event Staff2005 - 2007

Perform a variety of general staff and event security tasks for live performance and community events such as the following.

• Beverage ticket sales and age proofing for alcohol purchasing
• Event security includes person checks and crowd control
• Perform administrative tasks on behalf of event promotions owner with sub-contractors, sponsors, vendors, and employees