David C.

About David C.

Currently I am a civilian engineer employed by the Dept of the Air Force. I serve as the technical lead over flight hardware, in a systems engineering role.Machine design experiences include- precision equipment design for sensor calibration- novel image-guided surgical procedures- model-based controller and hardware design for precision pneumatics- manufacturing 4 robotic knee-ankle prostheses- pneumatic and electromechanical actuator design and testing for exoskeletons Aspects of my work that I have particularly enjoyed include: the design and build process, cross-disciplines collaboration, and training & teaching. As a design and analysis engineer my interests are broad, but applications I am keen about are medical robotics, mobility, end-use additive manufacturing, fluid power actuators, and aerospace & defense technology. In my free time I like cycling, backpacking, and teaching my sons the joys of modernizing an old bungalow home in the heart of Salt Lake City.

Experience

1. Lead Systems Engineer

   United States Air Force

   Apr 2023 — Present

   As technical lead of the government engineering team, I work closely with project engineers and program managers internally and with defense contractors. I lead a team of six engineers to achieve modernization and refurbishment objectives for flight hardware on my weapon system. With my attentiveness to details, the deliverables for a reverse engineering program have successfully progressed towards a complete and accurate tech data package (TDP). I led the IPT team to completion of the PDR and CDR milestones on schedule. The mission impacts of my contributions are an Air Force owned TDP and mitigation of a diminishing sources risk through R&D qualification of a second source supplier.– As a lead engineer with approval authority for Operational Safety, Suitability and Effectiveness, I review and sign engineering responses to field requests as generated during routine maintenance in the field. I identify and delegate updates to Technical Orders and drawings in support of repair activities and testing activities at the depot. I serve as the chair for Material Review Board decisions on flight hardware.

Education

• Vanderbilt University

  Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Mechanical Engineering

  2010 — 2015

• Penn State University

  Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering

  2005 — 2009

• Vanderbilt University

  Master of Science (M.S.), Mechanical Engineering

  2010 — 2014

Skills

• Social Media
• Data Analysis
• Microsoft Word
• Team Leadership
• Ptc Creo
• Engineering
• Computer-Aided Design (Cad)
• Microsoft Office
• Research
• Matlab
• Simulations
• Solidworks
• Teaching
• Powerpoint
• Microsoft Excel
• Robotics
• Cad
• Public Speaking
• C++
• Mechanical Engineering