Experience

Applied Ion Systems LLC

• United States
• Research
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Founder/Lead Engineer

  • Dec 2019 - Present

  Founder and lead engineer of Applied Ion Systems LLC (AIS), the first and currently only open-source hardware based R&D aerospace company developing ultra-low cost plasma and ion thrusters for nanosatellites. All AIS electric propulsion systems, as well as all infrastructure for high vacuum testing, are designed and built in-house. The unique approach at AIS allows for unprecedented cost reduction many orders of magnitude lower than any other EP company in the field, and extremely fast development and prototyping for rapid iterations. AIS has already delivered 2 micro-PPTs for the AMSAT-Spain GENESIS N and L satellites, to be flown September 2020, as some of the only micro-EP systems ever developed to be compatible down to PocketQube-class satellites. AIS is also exploring new ways to reduce the cost of normally expensive technologies, including RF plasma, RF gridded ion, and ionic liquid electrospray thrusters. AIS also provides significant data, builds, and resources for the professional, educational, and enthusiast communities, actively engaging the nanosatellite community closely to provide new solutions to allow any team to access EP, as well as providing kits and resources to allow anyone to get involved in the field. Show less



Gaerttner Linear Accelerator Laboratory - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

• Electrical Engineer

  • Apr 2015 - Present

  Currently employed as the electrical engineer for the Gaerttner Linear Accelerator Laboratory at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Primary functions include engineering research and development of new systems for the LINAC facility and LINAC operations and support. Projects and research involves a wide variety of topics and skills, including: pulsed power engineering, nanosecond speed pulsed circuits, modulators, high voltage systems, electrostatic modelling, CAD modelling, thermal modelling, 3D printing, high speed surface mount electronics, PCB etching, circuit and board design, circuit simulation, mechanical design, and advanced high power switching technologies. Lead research and testing for advanced pulsers for driving the electron gun for the 140MeV linac. Provides extensive support for the design of experimental test stands used for nuclear applications with linac experiments, including experimental target table and shielding design, beam simulations for magnetic diversion of electron beam in air using SIMION, thermal modeling of targets, and general engineering design. Currently leading commissioning documentation for 2021 linac system upgrade. Show less

• CEES Electrical Engineer

  • Jun 2013 - Mar 2015

  Employed as the electrical engineer for the centrifuge lab for CEES at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Primary functions include oversight and management of the CEES Sensors Lab, electrical equipment used for testing, providing support for researchers in setting up, running centrifuge testing on various soil model topologies, and developing new equipment and technology for centrifuge testing. Extensive experience in maintenance and testing of electrical equipment and sensors used in centrifuge testing such as: NI DAQ systems and accessories, pore pressure sensors, accelerometers, bender element sensors, LVDTs, laser displacement sensors, power and data cables, high speed cameras, high powered LED lighting systems. Training includes the set up and operation of the 150g centrifuge and various auxiliary systems, as well as the 4 Degree-Of-Freedom centrifuge robotic system, robotic loading system, and earthquake shake table. Projects and leadership includes complete testing, repair, and inventory of old and new stock of over 300+ sensors, troubleshooting and redesign of hydraulic press control system redesigned and implemented new and higher efficiency universal driver for high powered LEDs for centrifuge basket lighting in up to 80g environments, in depth study and comparison of numerous pore pressure transducers for viability and performance in centrifuge testing, leading and conducting comprehensive study and analysis of bender element sensors for use in shear wave measurements in soils, studying the interaction of resonant frequency response and implementing signal amplification to characterize sensor behavior in soils, conducted interviews and hiring for potential electrical undergraduate research assistants. Show less

• CEES Sensors Lab Staff

  • Feb 2013 - May 2013

  Promoted from undergraduate research position (URP) to part time research staff member for centrifuge lab, while attending full time as a student. Performed complex simulation analysis on multilevel servo control circuitry. Performed electrical testing, maintenance, and repairs on lab and sensors equipment. Electronics parts research, testing, and debugging for various components for upgrades.



Doble Engineering

• United States
• Appliances, Electrical, and Electronics Manufacturing
• 300 - 400 Employee

• Oil Lab Technician Winter Intern

  • Jan 2013 - Jan 2013

  Worked full time as a winter intern at Doble Engineering. Responsibilities included utilizing various lab equipment to conduct testing for chemical and physical properties of various transformer oils for client companies. Performed equipment calibrations, testing standardizations, prepared chemical solutions, and analyzed and recorded data from chemical tests. Worked full time as a winter intern at Doble Engineering. Responsibilities included utilizing various lab equipment to conduct testing for chemical and physical properties of various transformer oils for client companies. Performed equipment calibrations, testing standardizations, prepared chemical solutions, and analyzed and recorded data from chemical tests.



Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• CEES Sensors Lab Undergraduate Research Assistant

  • Sep 2012 - Dec 2012

  Built, tested, and modified piezoelectric bender sensor elements for vibration sensors. Researched and acquired equipment and parts for sensor system upgrades. Performed various tests and repairs on lab equipment. Researched and assembled various electrical connectors for new system. Performed circuit testing and debugging on sensor buffer amplifier circuits. Designed and assembled numerous data and power cables for sensor system upgrades. Performed testing and debugging on LED lighting equipment for centrifuge basket lighting. Researched, tested, and implemented high speed precision op-amps for newest bender system upgrade. Show less

• Oil Lab Technician Summer Intern

  • Jun 2012 - Aug 2012

  Worked full time as a summer intern at Doble Engineering. Responsibilities included utilizing various lab equipment to conduct testing for chemical and physical properties of various transformer oils for client companies. Performed equipment calibrations, testing standardizations, prepared chemical solutions, and analyzed and recorded data from chemical tests. Worked full time as a summer intern at Doble Engineering. Responsibilities included utilizing various lab equipment to conduct testing for chemical and physical properties of various transformer oils for client companies. Performed equipment calibrations, testing standardizations, prepared chemical solutions, and analyzed and recorded data from chemical tests.

• CEES Sensors Lab Undergraduate Research Assistant

  • Feb 2012 - May 2012

  Built, tested, and modified piezoelectric bender sensor elements for vibration sensors. Researched and acquired equipment and parts for sensor system upgrades. Performed various tests and repairs on lab equipment. Assembled, soldered, tested, and modified new instrumentation amplifier boards for system upgrades. Researched and assembled various electrical connectors for new system. Performed circuit testing and debugging on sensor buffer amplifier circuits. Built, tested, and modified piezoelectric bender sensor elements for vibration sensors. Researched and acquired equipment and parts for sensor system upgrades. Performed various tests and repairs on lab equipment. Assembled, soldered, tested, and modified new instrumentation amplifier boards for system upgrades. Researched and assembled various electrical connectors for new system. Performed circuit testing and debugging on sensor buffer amplifier circuits.

• Oil Lab Technician Winter Intern

  • Dec 2011 - Jan 2012

  Worked full time as a winter intern at Doble Engineering. Responsibilities included utilizing various lab equipment to conduct testing for chemical and physical properties of various transformer oils for client companies. Performed equipment calibrations, testing standardizations, prepared chemical solutions, and analyzed and recorded data from chemical tests. Worked full time as a winter intern at Doble Engineering. Responsibilities included utilizing various lab equipment to conduct testing for chemical and physical properties of various transformer oils for client companies. Performed equipment calibrations, testing standardizations, prepared chemical solutions, and analyzed and recorded data from chemical tests.

• CEES Sensors Lab Undergraduate Research Assistant

  • Sep 2011 - Dec 2011

  Built, tested, and modified piezoelectric bender sensor elements for vibration sensors. Researched and acquired equipment and parts for sensor system upgrades. Performed various tests and repairs on lab equipment. Assembled, soldered, tested, and modified new instrumentation amplifier boards for system upgrades. Researched and assembled various electrical connectors for new system. Built, tested, and modified piezoelectric bender sensor elements for vibration sensors. Researched and acquired equipment and parts for sensor system upgrades. Performed various tests and repairs on lab equipment. Assembled, soldered, tested, and modified new instrumentation amplifier boards for system upgrades. Researched and assembled various electrical connectors for new system.

• Oil Lab Technician Summer Intern

  • Jun 2011 - Aug 2011

  Worked full time as a summer intern at Doble Engineering. Responsibilities included utilizing various lab equipment to conduct testing for chemical and physical properties of various transformer oils for client companies. Performed equipment calibrations, testing standardizations, prepared chemical solutions, and analyzed and recorded data from chemical tests. Worked full time as a summer intern at Doble Engineering. Responsibilities included utilizing various lab equipment to conduct testing for chemical and physical properties of various transformer oils for client companies. Performed equipment calibrations, testing standardizations, prepared chemical solutions, and analyzed and recorded data from chemical tests.