Hi, my name is

Ricky.

Systems Engineer SME

Highly experienced Systems Engineer with a strong foundation in Aerospace and Mechanical engineering, complemented by extensive computer science expertise and over 14 years specializing in the analysis, safety, and testing of critical human spaceflight software including the use of digital twin and advanced software simulation environents.

Curriculum Vitae

About Me

Systems Engineer trained in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering with an extensive computer science background. Over 14 years of experience in analyzing complex systems focusing on safety and mission critical human space flight software. Additional expertise with digital twin environments in research, design, and execution of dynamic test cases for spacecraft flight software utilizing advanced simulation software packages. I am currently working as a Systems Engineer SME at KLS Government Services contracted to NASA’s Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) program at the Katherine Johnson IV&V Facility in Fairmont, West Virginia. Areas of Expertise
  • System & Software Assurance"
  • Python
  • C++
  • Software Safety
  • Software Testing
  • Safety & Mission Assurance
  • Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C)
  • Fault Detection, Isolation, and Recovery (FDIR)
  • Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLS)
  • Visual Basic
  • MATLAB
  • Linux
  • Photography
  • Software Quality
  • Raspberry Pi
  • IP Networking
  • MS Windows
  • Microsoft Office
  • Rocketry

Experience

Systems Engineer SME - KLS Government Services
May 2012 - present
  • Contracted to NASA’s Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) program at the Katherine Johnson IV&V Facility in Fairmont, West Virginia, focusing on safety and mission critical human spaceflight software
  • Research, design, and execute dynamic test cases for spacecraft flight and ground software utilizing advanced simulation and digital twin software packages
  • Advancing organizational AI capabilities by integrating Large Language Models into software testing research and development
  • Transitioned to the IV&V Artemis Test Team in Spring 2020
  • Testing focused on examining critical functions necessary across Orion, Space Launch System (SLS), and Exploration Ground System (EGS) programs in support of planned Artemis missions
  • Testing focus includes:
    • Ascent guidance targeting
    • Ascent abort scenarios
    • Earth Orbit Operations and Orion Vehicle Checkout
    • Service Module Fairing failures and recovery operations
    • Fault Detection, Isolation, and Recovery (FDIR) algorithms
  • Previously the IV&V Orion dynamic testing team lead from Fall 2013 until Spring 2020
  • Evaluated software requirements from definition through implementation and testing. Domain experience in:
    • Guidance, Navigation, Control, and Propulsion (GNCP)
    • Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLS)
    • Timeline and Vehicle Management (TVM)
  • Analyzed software developed under Agile and Waterfall software development models
  • Mentored four year-long interns with projects involving the full lifecycle dynamic test process including test case proposal, script development, run-for-record testing, and closeout reports and determining the fedelity of the models utilized within the testing simulation environment
  • Mentored several summer college and high school interns. Responsible for ensuring interns become familiar with the available testing enviornments, conduct test following the proper procedures, and confirming that the results generated are appropriate for current and future analysis and planning. Projects involved:
    • Dynamic testing environment setup and configuration
    • Creation of custom tools for use by other IV&V Orion system engineers and IV&V personnel
    • Comparing software development test envirponments to certified testing enviornments
    • Development of test cases to recreate flight scenarios investigating inflight anomalies
Graduate Teaching Assistant, Aircraft Health Manageent Class - West Virginia University
Aug 2011 - Dec 2011
  • Assisted the professor and students during laboratory experiments by providing guidance in experiment design and analysis
  • Introduced perspective high school and freshmen engineering students to aircraft simulators and the aircraft health manangement class through interactive information sessions
  • Oversaw the operation of the 6-degree-of-freedom (6DOF) flight simulator and PC based simulators
Graduate Research Assistant - West Virginia University
Jan 2010 - Aug 2011
  • Contributed to the development of an undergraduate and graduate level course in Aircraft Health Managemen
  • Developed new aircraft models and retrofitted/upgraded existing models within MATLAB and Simulink
  • Managed the software upgrade from MATLAB 6.5 to MATLAB 2011a (version 7.12) including updating and evaluating specific sofware packages used for the Aircraft Health Management courses
  • Supervised the operation of the 6DOF flight simulator nd PC-based simulators

Education

2009 - 2011
Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering
West Virginia University
GPA: 3.6 out of 4.0
  • Thesis: Analysis of Aircraft Multiple Engine Configurations for Fault Tolerant Control
    • This research develops a formal framework and a MATLAB/Simulink environment to analyze how engine thrust control can compensate for aircraft actuator failures. By employing a fuzzy logic controller, the study demonstrates that optimized engine placement and thrust dynamics can successfully mitigate severe flight control malfunctions. The resulting model provides a scalable tool for developing fault-tolerant systems in multi-engine aircraft.
  • Key Courses
    • Applied Linear Algebra
    • Numerical Analysis
    • Advanced Thermodynamics
    • AI Techniques for Engineering
    • Feedback Control in Mechanical Engineering
    • Aircraft Health Management
2004 - 2008
Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering
West Virginia University
GPA: 3.28 out of 4.0
  • Key Courses
    • Mechatronics
    • Thermodynamics
    • Analysis of Engineering Systems (Numerical Analysis)
    • Incompressible and Compressible Aerodynamics
    • Heat Transfer
    • Aerospace Structures
    • Flight Dynamics
    • Flight Vehicle Propulsion
    • Experimental Aerodynamics
    • Flight Vehicle Design
    • Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
    • Space Flight and Systems
    • Guided Missile Systems
2004 - 2008
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
West Virginia University
GPA: 3.28 out of 4.0
  • Key Courses
    • Statics, Dynamics, and Mechanics of Materials
    • Mechatronics
    • Mechanics of Materials
    • Thermodynamics
    • Heat Transfer
    • Analysis of Engineering Systems
    • Dynamics of Machines
    • Manufacturing Processes
    • Internal Combustion Engines
    • Automatic Controls
    • Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
    • Engineering Economy
    • Machine Design and Manufacturing
High School
George Wythe High School
Governor's School
Southwest Virginia Governor's School
  • SWVGS is a shared-time program; students attend the Governor’s School in the morning and return to their home high schools for afternoon classes.
  • Students take math, science, technology, research, study skills, and career education classes at SWVGS.

Certificates, Licenses, and Professional Organizations

NASA STEP Level 1 Certificate
NASA STEP Level 1 Certificate
NASA Safety and Mission Assurance Technical Excellence Program (STEP) Level 1 Certificate
Engineer Intern
Engineer Intern
Engineer Intern in West Virginia, #8956
Private Pilot
Private Pilot
Private Pilot, Single Engine Land
NAR Level 2
NAR Level 2
National Association of Rocketry (NAR) High Power Rocketry Certified Level 2
NAR Member
NAR Member
National Association of Rocketry (NAR) Member Number 77933
NESA
NESA
National Eagle Scout Association Member

Awards, Professional Presentations, and Publications

Project Achievement Award
In recognition of contributions in support of Artemis I Issue Burndown (11/2021)
Excellence in Values Award
For demonstration of excellence in support of a successful virtual internship program (11/2021)
NASA IV&V SAS Program Team Award
For contributing to the growth and advancement of the future innovators, leaders, and architects of NASA's future (8/2019)
Excellence in Values Award
For teamwork in reorganizing the Orion IV&V team Confluence site, resulting in the restructuring and cleanup of a tremendous amount of information that it contained, making it more useful and usable (12/2018)
Excellence in Values Award
For contributions in the implementation of A-SCAN into the Orion IV&V team (12/2018)
Excellence in Values Award
For contributions in support of the Orion IV&V Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL) Scrum Team during the familiarization of various aspects of the Guidance, Navigation, Control, and Propulsion (GNCP) domain (6/2017)
Excellence in Values Award
In recognition of contributions in the advancement of MPCV Independent Testing (12/2014)
Project Achievement Award
In recognition of contributions to the 2013 Combined Federal Campaign Fund Raising Event Efforts (12/2013)
Excellence in Values Award
In recognition of contributions to the MPCV Test Campaign (6/2013)
Project Achievement Award
In recognition of contributions to MPCV FSW Test Technical Team (2/2013)
2014 Annual Workshop on Verification and Validation
Comparison of IV&V's Use of Non Verification Environments and Program Use of Verification Environments (Presentation)
2013 Annual Workshop on Verification and Validation
MPCV IV&V with a Dynamic Twist (Presentation)
2012 Annual Workshop on Verification and Validation
IV&V Dynamic Test and Analysis of the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle FSW (Presentation)
2011 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Guidance, Navigation, and Control Conference
Analysis of Aircraft Multiple Engine Configurations for Fault Tolerant Control (AIAA-2011-6407) (Presentation)
2011 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Atmospheric Flight Mechanics Conference
Development of a Simulation Environment to Support Aircraft Health Management Education (AIAA-2011-6614) (Presentation)
Publication
Perhinschi, M.G., Beamer, F., 2012, Flight Simulation Environment for Undergraduate Education in Aircraft Health Management, Computers in Education Journal, 22 (3)

Get in Touch

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