Resume
My most prized qualities are a talent for learning quickly and zest for challenge. This drives me to seek out new challenges and solve problems. WPI has trained me in aerospace engineering with skills best demonstrated in my comprehensive senior project, which designed a Micro Aerial Vehicle. I have further trained myself in areas such as specification development, management, information display, and computer science. My range of knowledge allows me to define, communicate, and analyze problems from many angles. This has aided me in the many team projects that have consistently demonstrated my teamwork and leadership skills. To speed my learning and problem solving, I use tools such as Maple, MATLAB, and Python to analyze problems and automate repetitive tasks. I also have experience in all aspects of the design process, which I can readily apply, along with domain specific research, to new problems. I leverage these skills to manage software development, weigh design trade-offs, gather experimental data, gaze into the future, and analyze engineering problems. I have used my skills and experience to bring technical clarity into many aspects of missile defense. I seek further experience in complex design environments.
Experience
Missile Defense National Team (MDNT)
Senior Engineer
Mission and Systems Analysis
I currently work for the mission analysis group of the systems engineering division of the Missile Defense National Team. My tasks involve high level analysis of system components and their radar and weapon performance, positioning, and utility in various missile defense oriented functions.
My system modeling and simulation experience includes an in-house MATLAB missile defense model, EADSIM and STAMP. I have an excellent and nuanced understanding of missile defense and many of the subsystems, protocols, and threats: DSP and other ONIR, SBX, FBX-T, THAAD, Aegis BMD (SPY-1 and SM-3), GBI, UEWR (BMEWS and PAVE PAWS), S-TADIL J, JREAP, Link-16, and various countermeasures and counter-countermeasures. I have provided clear analyses on short timelines, the results of which have been used at high levels within the Missile Defense Agency.
I also supported, as a U.S. subject matter expert, the NATO Missile Defense Feasibility Study (MDFS).
Risk Analysis
Prior to moving to the mission analysis group I worked on the risk analysis team. In this capacity I provided engineering inputs on communications, weapons, sensors, and risks to the ballistic missile defense system. I also helped to shape management processes and collaborated with the Aegis BMD risk program.
Electric Boat
During my two years at Electric Boat, I have worked as an Engineer in the Main Shafting and Air Revitalization Group as well as the Pipe Stress Analysis Group.
VIRGINIA Main Shaft Analysis
I used MSC/pal to conduct a finite element analysis of the main shaft during various stages of the installation process. The results of the analysis were used to align the shaft seals and snubbers.
VIRGINIA Escape Trunk
I leveraged my fluids background to provide independent analysis of the trunk pressurization process and a novel hatch operation device. Both the trunk pressurization and the hatch operation are required to operate in times designated by Navy dive tables. My contributions helped to ensure that the escape trunk would function as required.
CVN 21 Pipe Stress Analyses
I quickly learned pipe stress analysis and Pipestress 2000 analysis software. I have performed several pipe stress analyses and assisted in the development and deployment of the new analysis software by providing comments, troubleshooting bugs, and training to other engineers.
Hanger Data Tabulator
I acted as lead engineer for the development of a program that automatically tabulates hanger attributes. The program extracts hanger attributes from piping analysis XML data files and presents them in an MS Word table using Java and XSL. I laid out a phased development process in a comprehensive specification and testing methodology. While working closely with internal EB programmers to implement the specification, I clarified and revised requirements based on cost/benefit estimates and provided pseudo-code and working Python implementations of difficult requirements. The result is an easy-to-use program that reduces errors, encourages consistency, and saves hours of tedium for each CVN 21 pipe stress report.
WPI Projects
Micro-Aerial Vehicle (MAV)
I worked in a four student group on this senior design project that ran the gamut of aircraft design including requirements specification; conceptual design; iterative design analyses; scheduling and planning; component procurement, testing, selection, integration, and optimization; construction; wind tunnel testing; and flight testing. Highlights of my contributions include:
risk reduction by substantial investment in research, analytical methods, and experimental methods;
custom Python software to analytically determine the performance of design concepts that was partially modified to use experimental data;
a procedure for performing accurate and repeatable measurements of forces ranging from 1-200 grams with a force balance in a closed loop wind tunnel;
LabVIEW widgets to speed force balance calibrations and measurements;
power plant selection criteria, testing methodology, and trade-off studies;
test pilot.
The project group was haphazardly assembled and suffered from the usual maladies, including disparate abilities, inexperience in managing long design cycles, and poor design decisions. Consequently, the final design flew several short flights but maneuvered poorly. This was a painful but effective way to learn; our project earned an honorable mention from the Mechanical engineering Department at the 2002 Project Presentation Day.
Calibre Cassette Library
Calibre is a free book on tape lending library for print disabled persons. They are interested in the benefits that digital audio can provide for their clients. I worked with two of my mates to recommend a course of action for the next decade that minimizes risks and positions Calibre to provide enhanced services. We supported these recommendations by comprehensive research on client demand, demographic and technology trends, copyright laws, and digital rights management.
Based on our research, we determined that digital audio and electronic book technologies have a lot to offer the print disabled. However, our predictions indicated that they would not be widely available for some time. We also put Calibre's entire catalogue on the Internet in a web site specifically designed and tested for the print disabled.
Education
I am currently studying for a M.S. in Computer Science at The George Washington University.
I graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in May of 2002 with a 3.72 GPA; I earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering with an Aerospace concentration.
Awards and Honors
Pi Tau Sigma
Tau Beta Pi
Charles O. Thompson Scholar
National Merit Scholar
WPI Presidential Scholar
WPI Varsity Track Team Captain and De-facto Sprint Coach
References
Available upon request via email: francis@francisbarnhart.com