Personal Summary - Senior Test Project Engineer:
Over 130 Space Shuttle flights and 25 years of manned spaceflight processing experience at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Includes Space Shuttle test, Shuttle Derived Launch Vehicle (SDLV), and Constellation Program Concept of Launch Operations (ConOps). I have deep expertise in real-time test integration, managing problem resolution across multiple engineering systems; and briefing presentations to Space Shuttle Program Management as well as the Astronaut office.
Skills and Capabilities:
Proposal Activities
Risk Management & Assessment
Use of MS Office Suite
Peer Communications and Mentoring
Concept of Operations
Problem and Troubleshooting Resolution
Presentations & Briefing
Requirements and Test Procedure Generation
Hardware Interface Verification
Avionics, Fluid, Mechanical, Electrical Systems Test
I firmly believe that Kennedy Space Center has instilled in us a very strong safety mindset and a proven record of incorporating lessons learned.
Honors and Accomplishments:
Silver Snoopy Award – NASA Space Flight Awareness Award presented by STS-33 Astronaut Crew, based on significant contributions to flight safety and mission success. Lead multi-center review, rewrote test requirements and procedures for the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Spacesuits. This resulted in a safer and repeatable 6-7 hour test — down from previous 17 hours test that was serial to the launch pad schedule.
Manned Spaceflight Awareness Award – NASA Safety of Flight Recognition for cost avoidance due to procedural and operational process escape. Discovered Space Shuttle Airlock Equalization Valve configuration (open s/b close) not checked prior to Shuttle move to Launch Pad. Avoided launch date delay due to access difficulties at the Launch Pad.
Launch Honoree STS-108 / Endeavour – NASA Launch Director Recognition. Following significant modifications to Endeavour, I reviewed, verified, and in cases provided workarounds to the orbiter electrical configuration to ensure safe orbiter power-up testing leading to a successful launch of the STS-108 mission.
USA/Boeing Upper Stage Proposal Award – United Space Alliance recognition for winning contract. For contributions to the Launch Site Concept of Operations (ConOps) for the Constellation Program Ares 1 launch vehicle upper stage.
Shuttle Derived Launch Vehicle Study - Multi-Contractor Team Recognition for contributions to Launch Site Concept of Operations (ConOps) based on Design for Ops and Space Shuttle Lessons Learned.
Eagle Scout - For Life
Employment History
Held Space Shuttle Prime Contractor positions with the following companies from the launch of STS-5 Columbia, through the completion of the Space Shuttle Program with the launch and landing of STS-135 Atlantis:
United Space Alliance, KSC, FL 1996 to July 2011
Lockheed / Lockheed Martin, KSC, FL 1984 to 1996
Rockwell International, KSC, FL 1982 to 1984
Professional Experience
Senior Test Project Engineer (most recent):
Self-managed and open-ended responsibilities to integrate both planned and real-time Space Shuttle Powered Up test operations from landing through launch. Our role in the firing room was that of engineering supervision to ensure multi-disciplinary systems testing was carried out in a safe non-interfering manner.
Held highest (Level 1) certification to manage firing room technical operations including landing and prime launch team activities. Landing operations required support for the Primary Landing Site at KSC and travel to Contingency Landing Sites – primarily Edwards Air Force Base, California.
Responsible for assessment of technical requirements and modifications, integration of multi-system troubleshooting and element (orbiter, booster, external tank) retest to meet program processing and launch milestones.
Required up-to-date knowledge of flight element configurations including fluid, electrical, mechanical and avionics systems as well as telemetry, ground command and control systems.
Scheduled engineering resources for 24/7 test operations and surge/contingency efforts such as launch scrub turnaround and landing delays.
Future Programs Lead:
My role as the Future Programs Lead was to support the business acquisition unit of the company as an Engineering Subject Matter Expert. Duties included writing white papers, supporting NASA Broad Area Announcements and contributing to several proposal efforts.
Member of winning USA/Boeing Ares 1 Upper Stage Manufacturing proposal team specifically developing launch site concept of operations (ConOps).
Led the Kennedy Space Center ConOps team for a multi-company initiative to develop Shuttle Derived Launch Vehicles (SDLV). Other companies included Boeing, Lockheed Martin, ATK, and Pratt Whitney Rocketdyne. This effort led in part towards NASA’s initial selection of the Ares 1 and Ares V launch vehicles for the Constellation Program.
Member USA/Boeing proposal team for NASA’s Orbital Space Plane (OSP) program pre-Constellation. Incorporated Space Shuttle lessons learned and overall operability into OSP design and ConOps. Serve as subject matter expert for OSP’s Environmental Control and Life Support Systems.
OV-105 Endeavour Lead:
Senior Test Project Engineering duties as listed above.
Prepared and presented Launch Minus One Day (L-1) Engineering Briefings to Astronaut Flight Crews.
Assisted in daily coordination of resources between the Firing Room Engineering Test Team, Technicians, Quality Control and Operations.
Responsible for integrating troubleshooting efforts across multiple engineering systems, tracking in-flight anomalies through closure as well as preparing engineering systems for Unexplained Anomaly (UA) rationale and closure.
Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU - Spacesuit) Lead:
Responsible for the installation and checkout of EMUs pre-launch by directing integrated tests to verify interfaces with the Orbiter Communications, Electrical, and ECLSS Engineering Sub-Systems.
Duties also included review and rewrite of all test requirements and procedures following the Challenger Accident.
Led a technical team to develop the capability to install, checkout and fly four EMUs for the first time. This contributed to the successful first flight of Endeavour (STS-49) and the Intelsat rescue and repair mission in which three astronauts performed concurrent spacewalks — also for the first time.
Proud to have been able to train my successor in EMU operations and then see her become the first person selected from Kennedy Space Center to become an astronaut. She went on to fly two extremely successful Space Shuttle missions.
Lead Systems Engineer, Space Shuttle Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS):
Managed team of five engineers responsible for the maintenance, repair and servicing of ECLSS sub-systems on four Space Shuttles in all stages of launch preparation. Duties included generating test requirements, authoring test procedures as well as to operate flight hardware and ground support equipment. Also served as ECLSS Prime Launch Team member and traveled to contingency landing sites for Space Shuttle recovery operations.
Education
University Of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
- Bachelor of Science, Environmental Engineering, 1980
US Citizen
Previously held secret clearance
- No longer required after NASA ceased DOD missions
NACI: National Agency Check w/Inquiry
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