Systems Engineering Portfolio

I build systems. I build systems from their most basic blocks all the way up the stack. One of my favorite examples is my computer from EECE 344. I hand built the equivalent of a Ti-89.

When I say by hand, I mean it in the most literal sense. I leafed through the catalogue of chips for the correct components. I then soldered and wire-wrapped every single line. Every control signal. Every data and address line. All of it, down to the bit. I wrote the assembly language that blinks those lights and moves those registers.

I strive for that level of knowing on all the systems I work on. That same discipline carried into my wireless engineering work. While at Calix, I worked on muliple types of beamformed Wi‑Fi to deliver world‑class wireless performance to our customers. I was on‑site working alongside engineering, performing real‑world measurements and debugging. That was my everyday.

The next step for me, wirelessly, was LoRa mesh in the form of Meshtastic. While living in the deserts of Southern California I deployed a solar powered router node:“Catholic Hill”

From my motorcycle, I would conduct range tests and I have an ACK at 19+ miles that I’m very proud of.

UAS platform development: Design and deploy UAV platforms (flying wing, EDF jet, multi-rotor) with analog/digital FPV and telemetry systems. Aerial Operations: Currently flying for aerial photography and cinematography — capturing high-quality footage from both fixed-wing and multi-rotor platforms. RF Survey: Conducting site-specific RF propagation surveys to characterize link performance, identify interference sources, and optimize antenna placement for reliable long-range operations.

Full lifecycle: Concept → CAD → fabrication → firmware (Betaflight/INAV) → field testing → community publishing.

• RF & Telemetry: LoRa WAN, Crossfire, ExpressLRS, analog/digital FPV.
• Firmware & Flight: Betaflight, INAV, ArduPilot; PID tuning, mission planning.
• Fabrication: 3D printing, CNC machining, soldering.
• Aerial Imaging: Cinematic photography, video production, RF survey data collection.

Click the images above to view the full airframe collection.

Over a 10-year career at Calix, I progressed from on-site systems engineering to global field leadership. I designed, troubleshot, and deployed GPON, XGS-PON, and NG-PON networks across 13 countries — bridging the gap between customer experience and product engineering.

• Network Engineering: Debugged GPON, VoIP (SIP/H.248), IP Multicast, and Pseudowire networks using Wireshark, CentOS, and Linux-based OSS.
• Global Leadership: Trained and ramped new TAC engineers in Wroclaw, Poland and San Jose, Costa Rica — expanding our footprint into new continents and time zones.
• Community & Product: Implemented the "New Feature Request" program, bridging customer insights directly to engineering roadmaps. Co-Created "TAC TV" educational content that reduced repeat support tickets.

In October 2013, I broke my spine in two places. Recovery was a brutal fight, but it forced a critical question: What could I do? I could fly from my wheelchair. I could code and solder from my wheelchair.

This period marked a turning point. While recovering, I dove headfirst into the then-brand-new world of drones, becoming a pioneer in UAS technology. At the same time, my fascination with fiber optic communications—sparked by my work on submarine cable systems—grew into a new career path. I made the bold step into the booming world of fiber optic networks, building them out all over the globe. Through it all, I was still flying, programming, and building.

This chapter taught me that innovation isn't just about technology; it's about resilience and finding new ways to contribute when the old paths are closed.

And then, eventually, getting back on that bike!

At Leidos, I designed and field-deployed electromechanical systems for submarine fiber optic cable operations. This work sits at the intersection of mechanical design, electronics, and operator experience — bridging shipboard systems, cable equipment, and human operators in rugged maritime environments.

The Challenge: Integrate custom communication systems onto cable-laying vessels, ensuring reliable operation in harsh ocean conditions.

• CAD Modeling: Designed mechanical components in SOLIDWORKS; fabricated prototypes using mill, lathe, and MIG welding.
• Integration: Connected shipboard systems, cable handling equipment, and operator interfaces via serial communications (RS-232/485).
• Field Deployment: Tested and validated systems in maritime operations — from concept to installed hardware.

Conducted remote field operations in high-elevation wilderness, combining mapping, team leadership, and cross-functional collaboration between Timber and Fire management.

• Field Operations & Navigation: Performed nighttime Spotted Owl surveys in 2-person teams—navigated off-trail using topographic maps, compass, GPS, and RF telemetry.
• Mapping & Data: Proficient with ArcGIS for mapping species distribution and habitat analysis.
• Cross-Functional Ops: Collaborated on search and rescue operations and supported inter-departmental efforts between timber and fire crews.