Robotics Consultant

• Jun 2020 - Present

In 2020 I teamed back up with some of my former SOLOSHOT colleagues to start working on hardware and firmware improvements to SS3, which is now available as the SS3+. By taking advantage of new sensors and sensor placement, we were able to cut calibration and setup time to under 30 seconds while significantly improving tracking. In 2020 I teamed back up with some of my former SOLOSHOT colleagues to start working on hardware and firmware improvements to SS3, which is now available as the SS3+. By taking advantage of new sensors and sensor placement, we were able to cut calibration and setup time to under 30 seconds while significantly improving tracking.

Chief Systems Engineer

• May 2023 - Present

Mechanical Engineering Manager

• Feb 2019 - May 2023

Engineering Consultant

• Jan 2014 - Apr 2019

I developed the analysis and simulation tools for the Crew Module Uprighting System while working for Oceaneering. When I left Oceaneering in 2014, I had a few ongoing projects where I was a key player. Consulting has allowed me to continue supporting these important projects. To date, I have continued my analysis and simulation work on the water Landing and Recovery of the Boeing CST-100 manned crew module. My involvement with this project will continue into 2019. See the link below for more information on the Boeing CST-100 program. Through April of 2015 I continued to support a Navy project with analysis, modeling and simulation of complex multi-body at-sea CONOPS. Show less

Vice President, Embedded Systems

• Jan 2014 - Jan 2019

SOLOSHOT is a robot that films your outdoor adventures so you can stay in the moment. I began a consulting relationship with SOLOSHOT in February of 2013 based on some previous work I had done with pan/tilt tracking systems and external control of consumer camcorders/DSLRs for my own company in 2012. I joined the team in January of 2014 as the first full-time engineer hire. As with any tech start-up, I did a little bit of everything. I built and tested prototypes which included the design of PCBs and 3D-printed parts. I attended trade shows, manned booths and networked with industry partners. I did product demonstrations with professional athletes and potential investors. I reverse engineered the Sony multi-control protocol for consumer camcorders. I wrote lots of embedded code to make sensors talk to MCUs and logic to translate sensor data into 4-DOF (alt, azi, zoom, focus) tracking motion. I managed the effort to develop the firmware for both SOLOSHOT2 and SOLOSHOT3. I built the initial prototypes for the SOLOSHOT2 Camera Controller and SOLOSHOT3 indoor tracking accessory. I wrote the highlight extractor algorithms for the Auto-Editor. I immersed myself in camera lens zoom/focus control logic and wrote code to optimize zoom tracking and auto-focus. As first engineer hire, I helped build the rest of the engineering team. Being a small company, the lead engineers were also the Product Managers. See link below of me testing SOLOSHOT3 in the surf! Show less

Staff Engineer

• May 2007 - Jan 2014

Aerospace: In 2008 I developed the analysis tools and methodology for the Crew Module Uprighting Systems (CMUS) used on both the Orion Crew Module and the CST-100 Commercial Crew Vehicle. I have participated in multiple rounds of quarter scale and full scale model testing for analysis validation for each system and have ensured Oceaneering's continuous involvement in these programs. Defense: CONOPs validation and hydrodynamic analysis/simulation of complex marine systems employed by the U.S. Navy. Developed hardware for Naval Special Operations forces for use with SDV operations on the fleet of SSGNs. I've worked on small unmanned and autonomous vehicle design, analysis and testing -- as well as moored system analysis and design. Lead OrcaFlex user within the Advanced Technologies Group. Proficient in Solidworks, including FEA and CFD analysis plug-ins. Proficient in creating studio quality physics-based animations used to demonstrate concepts prior to cutting steel. See link below for an example of the types of projects I worked on for the Navy. Show less

Sole Proprietor

• Jan 2012 - Apr 2013

In January of 2012 I imagined a robot that could point and operate my Canon DSLR to take pictures of myself surfing. A few months later I finished building the first prototype in my garage from remote-controlled airplane parts. I immediately followed that project up with a version that could point and operate my digital video camera; which included automatic control of the zoom as I moved toward or away from the camera. I filed a provisional patent for this device which was granted in 2015. In January of 2012 I imagined a robot that could point and operate my Canon DSLR to take pictures of myself surfing. A few months later I finished building the first prototype in my garage from remote-controlled airplane parts. I immediately followed that project up with a version that could point and operate my digital video camera; which included automatic control of the zoom as I moved toward or away from the camera. I filed a provisional patent for this device which was granted in 2015.

Lieutennant Commander, CEC

• Jun 1996 - May 2007

Ocean Facilities Program (OFP) Officer and Deep Sea Diver. Stationed at Pearl Harbor: as a Resident Officer in Charge of Construction, I was responsible for dry docks, deep ocean sewer outfall, cathodic protection of underground fuel systems, waterfront facilities, and the Makalapa Masterplan. Graduated first in class (Honorman) at the U.S. Navy Diving and Salvage Training Center. Executive Officer of Underwater Construction Team ONE. Staff Officer for the Seabee Diver Community at Headquarters in Washington D.C. Made LCDR, then left the Navy in 2007 before my engineering skills expired. Show less

Mechanical Engineer

• Aug 1993 - May 1996

Student Intern and Co-op. Worked on underwater imaging and sonar systems for the U.S. Navy. Student Intern and Co-op. Worked on underwater imaging and sonar systems for the U.S. Navy.

Systems Engineer

• Jan 1993 - May 1993

Student Co-op Engineer. Responsible for troubleshooting and maintaining radiation monitoring equipment inside the reactor facility. Student Co-op Engineer. Responsible for troubleshooting and maintaining radiation monitoring equipment inside the reactor facility.