David Hunter
hunter {at} scarybridges [dot] com
Objective
I am seeking work involving the integration of mechanical, electrical, and software components to solve modern engineering challenges. My skills include mechanical, electrical, and software design, debugging, installation, and repair which I have used in demanding situations at remote international job sites. By studying the interaction of electrical, mechanical, and software components, and how they work as a system, I can resolve problems that can not be solved by focusing only on one class of system. I can work individually and as a team member, I can read, follow, and create documentation, and I can manage inventory, purchasing, and component selection to meet project specifications while minimizing cost. To move my career to the next level, I recently completed a Masters of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a Mechatronics option.
Graduate Thesis
- New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
An analysis of the viability of the electro-mechanical impedance method of structural health monitoring for use in spacecraft
- Use of piezoelectric wafer active sensors for electro-mechanical impedance testing
- Design and construction of a small, inexpensive, portable, battery-powered electro-mechanical impedance analysis system
- Programming, interfacing, and testing with an Analog Devices AD5933 impedance analyzer SOC
- Microcontroller programming in C/C++
- Mathematical modeling of plate vibrations
Professional Experience
National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO)
- 2012-2015, Very Long Baseline Array Specialist II
Diagnostics, Repair, and Maintenance of 25m radio telescope
- Maintained, serviced, and repaired all site systems, including RF path, control computers, cryogenics, front end receivers, servo system, and site facilities.
- Programmed in LabVIEW and Python.
- 2011-2012, Mechanical Engineer, Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA)
Inspection, verification, delivery, and support of antennas in the Atacama Desert, Chile
- Inspected and certified 11 ALMA radio telescope antennas.
- Coordinated activities involving ALMA, NRAO, and contractors.
- Supported software, including ALMA software, scripts for automating tests, and Linux.
- Worked in adverse conditions, including winter conditions at elevations over 5000 meters.
- 2008-2011, Software Engineer, ALMA
Development of custom software interfaces, assembly and installation of custom hardware
- Programmed hardware device interfaces in Java/Swing, Python, and Bash.
- Delivered interfaces for the astronomical data transmission system.
- Documented interfaces for custom hardware devices.
- Installed and repaired equipment at remote sites.
- Assembled custom data transmission hardware.
- Managed inventory, secure handling, and storage of over $500,000 of custom electronics hardware.
- 2007-2008, System Administrator & Technician, ALMA
Administration of Linux servers in a development environment
- Administered Red Hat Enterprise Linux servers
- Assembled and tested hardware. Insured on-time testing and delivery of over 2000 custom communication modules.
- 2007, Junior Technician, ALMA
- Assembled custom data transmission hardware.
- Professionally soldered surface mount & through-hole components.
- Programmed LabVIEW.
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
- 2016-2018, Teaching Assistant
Instruction of college seniors in programming, design, and construction of mechatronic systems.
- Development and implementation of lab instructions for senior level mechatronics course.
- Specification, ordering, and management of laboratory equipment.
- C / C++ Arduino instruction, programming, debugging, and support.
- 2002-2006, Computer Technician
System installation and support within tight time and budget constraints
- Installed and maintained computers, networks, and security cameras.
- Independently resolved trouble tickets in a timely fashion.
- Managed inventory to insure availability of critical components while meeting budget constraints.
- Repaired computers including complete disassembly, repair, and reassembly of laptops.
Los Alamos National Laboratory
- 2002, Junior Computer Programmer
- Programmed Fortran 90 / C interoperability libraries.
Skills and Professional Background
- Communication, documentation, and writing
- Electrical and mechanical design, diagnostics and repair
- Working in a team, both as a team member and in a leadership role
- Embedded programming in C/C++ including but not limited to Arduino based systems
- Mentoring and teaching
- Mechanical design in SolidWorks and other CAD programs
- Electrical design in KiCad
- Independent installation, testing, and repair of remote hardware and software systems
- Programming in Python, Java, and Bash in a Linux environment
- Component soldering and assembly, including surface mount technology
- Computer diagnostics and repair
- Network software and hardware installation and support
- Basic Spanish
- Current ASME and IEEE member
- Order of the Engineer member
- Lifelong learner
Education
- Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering with Specialization in Mechatronic Systems and Robotics, completed in July 2018
- GPA: 3.82
- Coursework includes: Digital Electronics, Machining & Metalworking, Advanced Strength of Materials, Advanced Engineering Math, Modern Controls, Optimal Control Systems, and Communication in Engineering
- Between 2005 and 2015, I continued to take college classes, including: Design of Steel Structures, Reinforced Masonry & Timber Design, Construction management.
- BS Computer Science, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
- 2001-2005 Graduated with Honors
- Coursework included: Computer Architecture, Microcontrollers, Digital Electronics, Parallel Processing, Compiler Writing, Principles of Operating Systems, Data Communication, Microcontrollers, Physics, Chemistry, and Technical Writing.
Interests
- Photography and travel
- Outdoor recreation
- Camping & backpacking
- Mountain climbing (I have climbed 52 14,000 foot peaks)
- Cave exploration and survey
- President of New Mexico Tech Caving Club
- Life member of U.S. National Speleological Society
- Technology, computers, and robotics
- Microcontrollers and FPGAs
- I regularly attend Seattle Robotics Society meetings & events during my time in the area.
- Auto repair: I do most of my own car repair, both electrical and mechanical.
- Amateur Radio, license KF5AVI
- Cooking & baking
- Volunteer work
- Okanogan food bank gleaning program, 2013 - 2014
- Helped rebuild a home destroyed by the Carlton Complex fire
References available upon request