OBJECTIVE

EXPERIENCE (ENGINEERING/ MATHEMATICS RELATED)

• BUSINESS OWNER/OPERATOR11/2007 - Current
  
  I currently own and operate not only the website jameshumig.com, but I operate a technical business with the name conveniently being jameshumig.com.
  
  At the time of this update, I have assisted in helping a customer with a proof of concept on a new idea he would like to patent. This involves hours upon hours of programming in Octave, as well as hours worth of testing and reporting on the results received from the programs. This work has been very enjoyable and challenging. This proof of concept is still in the works at this time.



• INSTRUMENTATION ENGINEER 02/2006 - Current
  
  In addition to the work below, I have learned to efficiently use Java and NetBeans. This includes the use of JNI to write native interfaces for talking to hardware such as the NI-488 GPIB PCI cards. The use of JNI can often require very deep knowledge of the C language, and thus I have been keeping up on C as well as Java. I am currently using NetBeans to re-design the user interfaces for a software engine which was written by one of my predecessors. This has been very interesting work and constantly requires me to think of new ways solve problems. Though the direction I get from my supervisors is minimal, I always manage to find things to do which will better our organization in the short and long run.
  
  As an instrumentation engineer, my first task was to single-handedly write software to interface a computer to the Allen Osborne GPS Receivers (AOA) which were used as reference on GPS validation field tests and to pinpoint anomalies in new GPS receivers. The interface was used to make the job of the operating technicians much easier than the older software they were using. The program included data collection as well as every other command available on the AOA itself, but in a much more user friendly environment over an RS-422 interface. This program was written in ANSI C in the DOS OS. The operators were very happy with this product and had no problem learning how to use it despite the unfortunate requirement to use DOS.
  
  
  
  Single-handedly wrote new software to deal with noisy position data collected during high speed sled tests. This software relied heavily upon the flexibility available in the Debian Sarge GNU/Linux distribution. The software allowed the user to interface in a purely GUI interface and also to automatically generate a PDF report at the end of the editing session. This program was written mostly in Octave (very similar to Matlab) and used system calls to generate the GUIs and PDF.
  
  Wrote software to generate profiles used in GPS simulations on the Spirent GPS simulator. These profiles are now being used to pinpoint ways of working around new GPS vulnerabilities which have surfaced in Iraq.
  
  Worked directly with technicians in order to make sure the software I produced was easy to use. The end user has always been my primary focus.
  
  I provided documentation to go along with the software I developed. Most recently I provided that documentation in an easy to use HTML format which allowed for simple navigation through the documentation.
  
  Other duties included being the administrator for all computers in the lab which included Windows XP, DOS, and several distributions of GNU/Linux.
  
  During times of slow business, I always made an effort to learn something new, which included Java, Perl, HTML, and hundreds of applications in the Debian Linux distribution.
  
  



• TEST ENGINEER 06/2005 - 02/2006
  
  As a test engineer I spearheaded a program to test a BAE MEMS (British Aerospace Micro-electromechanical Sensor) in the following platforms:
  
  3-Axis table for precise rotation and orientation testing
  Centrifuge for very high acceleration environment testing
  Vibration table for vigorous vibration environment testing
  T-38 for high dynamic flight profiles testing
  High speed sled for high acceleration, velocity, and vibration
  
  My involvement in this program included holding risk management boards, test review boards, and configuration control boards. Also included was scheduling of assets and airspace, logistics meetings, and leading a team of experienced individuals for nearly every aspect of the program. I also single handedly executed the 3-Axis tests which involved several 16-hour days. My involvement did NOT include managing the financing and budget, although a large part of my job did involve keeping the program under-budget.
  
  No high speed sled test had been done by our squadron in over 8 years, making the logistics an extreme challenge.
  
  The program lasted most of my stay as a test engineer and earned me an employee of the quarter award for squadron and group levels as well as a nomination at the wing level.
  
  Other tasks involved assisting program managers in GPS field jamming programs. This sometimes translated in to tasks such as overseeing the actual test execution and keeping communication between ground and aircraft. The ability to respond to unexpected events quickly and recognize unsafe conditions was a definite must.
  
  In summary, the term "test engineer" as used by this employer basically translated to "program manager" who does not deal with money.
  
  



• STUDENT RESEARCHER 03/2005 - 05/2005
  
  As a student researcher, my task was to try to find a way to recognize objects in images. In particular, I was tasked with recognizing cigarette butts in images. This research involved working heavily with Matlab for image processing. Some of the methods I looked into were fuzzy adaptive resonance theory (FART), and plain old adaptive resonance theory (ART). Though I was mostly unsuccessful in this task, I did gain a huge amount of experience in the Matlab scripting language, as well as getting my name on Matthew Dailey's Matlab Tutorial website for writing a simple script that was faster than one of his. Well, that script has been posted for nearly two years.



• ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING INTERN 07/2004 - 08/2004
  
  During my internship, I was tasked with several small jobs. These jobs included a complete design of a lighting control panel to be used with the test stands. The control panel was designed in a way that it could be later upgraded for computer automation of the lighting system. Another task was to completely design a mobile warning light system for use in remote areas. I started the design by looking at scrap that was available to me and choosing a frame from that scrap. The design was made complete with scaled AutoCad drawings and detailed instructions on how to build the system.



• MATHEMATICS TUTOR 01/2005 - 04/2005 and 01/2003 - 05/2003
  
  This was the most rewarding job I had as a student. My job entailed helping students understand mathematics as well as grading exams, quizzes, and homework. Students from all majors had the ability to visit the math learning center, and most of them were required to visit. The mathematics I tutored ranged from basic arithmetic all the way to upper level calculus and linear algebra. This job kept me at the top of my game in math while I was taking my own engineering and math classes. My classmates often approached me for help with the classes we were taking together, and I believe this job was the reason I was usually able to help.

OTHER SKILLS/INFORMATION

• Ability to self teach most programming languages and software, as well as most other things I might be interested in. This ability was instilled in me in high school given that all classes were self paced and direction was only given when a student asked for it. This ability also helped me through many of the more difficult classes in college where the instructors were either bad communicators or some other barrier was present.
  
  
• Ability to self-motivate as well as work in group settings. This ability is also partially a direct descendant of high school, though my job as an instrumentation engineer required me to find my own things to do fairly often.
  
  
• Proficient in: Java, Matlab/Octave, Linux/Unix systems, and C Programming language. Also proficient with Microsoft applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint (and their OpenOffice counterparts).
  
  
• Familiar with: Perl, VHDL, HTML, Labview, Maple, AutoCad, MathCad, Scilab, Perl, and many freely distributed Debian GNU/Linux packages.
  
  

EDUCATION

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
  3.8 GPA out of 4.0
  
  Engineering Classes included:
  Vector Analysis, Com Systems, Power Engineering, C Programming, AC Circuits, Electronics, Digital Design (I &II), Signals and Systems, Linear Algebra and Matrices, Electromagnetics, Signal Intelligence, Wireless Projects (I&II), Control Systems, DSP, Real-time DSP, Engineering Economy and Law.

OTHER EXPERIENCE

• CONSTRUCTION HELPER 05/2003 - 06/2005
  
  Construction can be a very physically demanding job. This job taught me several things. I learned that this is not what I want to do with my life. I also learned many details about how a house is built as well as how to take a direct order. The business I worked for was owned by my father, who also taught me that just good enough is not good enough. He taught me that giving the customer the best quality possible should always be the goal, even if that quality cost a little more time, and sometimes a complete tear-down and rebuild.



• SALES ASSOCIATE 05/2002 - 12/2002
  
  Demonstrated products for customers, networked to acquire new customers, responsible for sales of product, top 10 regional salesman in 1st quarter of employment. I learned a great deal about communicating with customers in this job.



• TELE-SERVICES REPRESENTATIVE 08/2000 - 01/2001
  
  Administered telephone surveys for market research.
  
  Telephone jobs were some of the most boring and unrewarding jobs I have ever had, and thus I have no interest in elaborating. Though I may have learned something in these positions, I don't think it is worth mentioning.



• DIRECTORY ASSISTANCE OPERATOR 08/1999 - 03/2000
  
  Provided customers with phone number and address information, managed angry and difficult clients.
  
  See above.



• HEATING/COOLING REPAIR 08/1998 - 03/1999
  
  HVAC was one of the most enjoyable jobs I ever had. I very much enjoyed working with different types of equipment and trying to troubleshoot them. This job allowed me to develop troubleshooting methods while working on equipment such as; bakery ovens, proofers, mixers, walk-in coolers/freezers, air conditioners, heat pumps, heaters, doughnut makers, conveyor belts, cooling towers, garbage disposals, and many other types of commercial equipment. Though this job was very enjoyable, finding myself on a 20-foot ladder carrying a compressor that weighed as much as I did made me decide to go to college. This way I might still be able to walk when I retire.