Experience

Shoal Group Pty Ltd

• Australia
• Engineering Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Principal Space Systems Engineer

  • Jan 2022 - Present

  I have joined Shoal’s Space Systems Engineering team during this transformational time in the space industry to help clients define, manage and deliver big projects in complex environments. I have joined Shoal’s Space Systems Engineering team during this transformational time in the space industry to help clients define, manage and deliver big projects in complex environments.



Myriota

• Australia
• Telecommunications
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director of Space Missions

  • Jun 2018 - Dec 2021

  • Pivotal member of the leadership team within Myriota; contributed to the technical direction and led the space mission strategy. Communicated openly and effectively with the executive team. • Delivered space segment to the business as a fundamental input to capability; executed system integration for the space missions across the entire mission development lifecycle. • Designed the satellite constellation architecture and ground station network concept of operations and strategy. Ensured Myriota collaborated with industry, academic and defence partners and customers. • Conducted satellite systems engineering, requirements and specification development to validation. • Responsible for analysing and mitigating mission and spacecraft risks through test-based development approaches. • Through his proactive approach to system development test and delivery, he managed the satellite development and delivery program ensuring that the supplier met the contract performance and exquisite Radio Frequency (RF) capability Myriota demands. • Supervised the interoperability and standardization of technologies through various technical data exchanges of mechanical, electrical and software ICDs, ensuring Myriota had the ideal level of control over the payload to execute our sophisticated mission with autonomy and precision. • Led a high performing engineering team, coaching and monitoring each individual's professional development. • Developed multiple requests for quotations that were provided to small satellite companies. Provided selection recommendations for vendors to the board of Myriota. Has gained significant commercial contracting negotiation experience including proceeded the winning vendor to contract negotiation and execution. Has negotiated several launch contracts, satellite operations contracts and ground station network contracts.



Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG)

• Australia
• Defense & Space
• 700 & Above Employee

• Spacecraft Systems Engineer

  • Apr 2018 - May 2018

  • Conducted satellite operations for the commissioning of the BUCCANEER spacecraft. With a focus on improving the controllability of the Attitude and Determination Control System (ADACS) following the deployment of the large HF antenna. • Acceptance Testing of flight hardware GPS receivers, utilising GPS signal simulations of Low-Earth-Orbit. • Conducted satellite operations for the commissioning of the BUCCANEER spacecraft. With a focus on improving the controllability of the Attitude and Determination Control System (ADACS) following the deployment of the large HF antenna. • Acceptance Testing of flight hardware GPS receivers, utilising GPS signal simulations of Low-Earth-Orbit.



Fleet Space Technologies

• Australia
• Mining
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Mission Manager on the Centauri-1 Spacecraft

  • Jan 2018 - Mar 2018

  • Assisted Fleet Space in their preparation for and commencement of early operations as an employee exchange from the Department of Defence, Defence Science and Technology Group. • Led the small company through the Acceptance and Test of the Centauri-1 spacecraft and its payloads from the various suppliers, developing managerial leadership skills. • He exercised decision agility and tact as resources only allowed for a subset of traditional tests to be conducted. Skilled selection of those the minimum test resulted in the identification of many mission killing issues, his expert execution or resolutions and foundational problem-solving ability contributed to their resolution.



Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG)

• Australia
• Defense & Space
• 700 & Above Employee

• Space Systems Engineer, BUCCANEER RMM (Launch and Early Operations)

  • Oct 2017 - Dec 2017

  I led pre-launch integration testing. The testing identified a software fault with the spacecraft that would have resulted in the mission being lost if it was not patched within the first 48hours of the mission. I assumed the role of Mission Director for all passes coordinating all the operator functions and providing decisive leadership to the team during those first high-stress early contacts.To maximise the probability of establishing successful communication with the satellite I used the launch vehicles Orbital Parameter Message (OPM) to calculate a steering solution for the ground station antennas establishing an RF trip wire at the Point of Closest Approach (PCA) to establish communication early the mission. This allowed for successful communication on the first attempt on the spacecraft’s first pass over the Australian continent.I worked closely with Five Eyes partner ground stations located in the US and New Zealand, providing them with tracking solutions to use in the early hours of the mission. I used the timing offset of PCA observed at those ground stations that was accumulating from my original estimate to correct the growing uncertainties and track the satellite, the JSPOC had incorrectly identified the satellites based on the deployment sequence, which I corrected.

• Space Research and Development Program Exec

  • Jan 2017 - Sep 2017

  I assisted in the structuring of the space research and development strategy for defence. This was conducted through interaction with multiple stakeholders including defence, industry and academic partners. Major activities included: community workshops focusing on small satellite missions and space situational awareness, investment strategic planning in collaboration with a University Partner, a market assessment conducted by a technical industry partner, I met with senior leadership at defence space-based R&D organisations in the United States, South Korea and Japan.This role has greatly strengthened my network locally and internationally. With all major local space companies and most of the emerging New Space start-ups. I assisted with direct briefings to the Chief Defence Scientist raising my profile within DST-Group.



Air Force Research Laboratory

• United States
• Armed Forces
• 700 & Above Employee

• CubeSat mission development and management

  • Oct 2015 - Nov 2016

  I was awarded a DST Group International Fellowship based on my technical competence and professionalism. This was an opportunity to develop my skills as a Space Systems Engineer and strengthen relationships between DST-Group and AFRL together with other government R&D bodies in the US. I was an ambassador for the Australian experiments that were executed on the SHARC CubeSat mission. I was responsible for the execution of the complete mission rehearsal conducted on the engineering model spacecraft in much the same way that the real spacecraft. This has led to me having an incredibly detailed knowledge of the space vehicle. I gained detailed knowledge of and use of Linux-based flight computers and software; this has included the identification and eliminated of bugs and omissions with the flight software used to operate the mission. I have gained a wealth of experience of working with and observing the precautions of handing flight hardware. I was instrumental in the coordination and testing of the optical retroreflectors and GPS receivers to ensure that suitable subsystem characterisation on the ground before integration onto the flight vehicle. I provided input to various decision panels in support of the University Nanosatellite Program (UNP). I made significant efforts to enhance the relationship between DST Group and AFRL and increasing the knowledge flow from AFRL to DST-group.



Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG)

• Australia
• Defense & Space
• 700 & Above Employee

• Space Systems Engineer

  • Oct 2010 - Oct 2015

  My role evolved from a systems engineer into a mission manager within the small satellite team. The development of the Interface Control Document, between the payload and the spacecraft and the Concept of Operations (CONOPS), were delivered in this role requiring significant stakeholder engagement. I worked extensively with the launch service provider to modify the space vehicle design for acceptance by flight safety. Collaboratively established modelling and simulation environment created to support the DST-Groups CubeSat program. I further developed and integrated modelling and simulation modules. I developed and validated the multi-nodal thermal model. This required a detailed understanding of the space environment, characterisation of the surface properties, internal conduction paths and thermal inertia. I conducted a thermal vacuum test campaign to experimentally establish the thermal resistances between each node. I developed the disturbance torque modules; I used this disturbance force and torque to assess the long payload antenna to identify the margin of safety for the antenna that it will not collapse in the upper Thermosphere. I provided systems engineering support to the project. Providing analysis to support design decisions to be accepted during design reviews for our project. The objective has been to demonstrate that the design was acceptable in terms of Size, Weight and Power (SWAP) and thermal balance. I led a plasma thruster research initiative with the University of Sydney; with the intent is to foster research outcomes. I have been responsible for the IP management and collaborative agreement for the project. I provided project management and technical oversight to the development of the DST-Group prototypes. I authored several client reports providing technical advice to defence in the area of remote sensing satellites. This was in response to the 2009 whitepaper that began to plan for the remote sensing satellite system.



Airbus

• France
• Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing
• 700 & Above Employee

• Engineer

  • Oct 2008 - Sep 2010

  I conducted life support engineering on the ARH Tiger helicopter and Caribou fixed-wing including designing and approving metallic and composite repairs, modifying crew instructions in the flight manual. My responsibilities, including the investigation of defect reports for the support of the fleet and Aircraft production. My engineering analysis of safety factor, ultimate and limit load technical analysis and reporting supported design changes for repairs and non-conformances. Executed the collaborative root cause analysis of spurious false engine fire warnings on the ARH Tiger. Following an inflight incident with a Caribou I coordinated the analysis and repair program to return the RAAF grounded fleet to service.

• Flight Physics DEG Engineer

  • Sep 2007 - Sep 2008

  Graduate program rotation through several engineering positions providing a wide level of exposure to the organisation and engineering processes and techniques. I have a deep and lasting understanding of the niche areas in which I worked, this included; Aerodynamics, Chief Engineers Office, Mass Properties, Landing gear certification and fuel systems



Morson Projects (Airbus only Contract)

• Systems Engineer (Landing Gear & Fuel Systems)

  • Aug 2006 - Jan 2007

  4th Year Industrial Placement, A380 Landing Gear Certification, A319/A321(inc) Fuel Systems CPD, Responsibility regarding meeting certification deadlines and forming business relationships, Body Wheel Steering Certification task and document management responsibilities, Requirement to output work at a continuously high standard due to frequent review points in weight saving design review of single-aisle aircraft family fuel system. Further development of software skills in analysis of spurious warnings from fuel pumps.