Andrew Dowd Email & Phone Number

Pleasanton, Ca, Us

Pleasanton, Ca

Vector Atomics’ goal is to create the next generation of quantum sensors (Gyroscopes, Accelerometers and Atomic Clocks) for multiple markets. When I was originally hired, Vector Atomics’ technology was based on laboratory prototypes composed of COTS electronics. To create deployable instruments, substantial technical and programmatic advancements were needed. This required a reboot of the company’s electronics/firmware strategy. Under my direction, the company incorporated advanced techniques in electronics, firmware, and RTL. The results were dramatic improvements in size, weight and power (SWaP). Also, I initiated a design review process to improved PCBA quality. Engineering headcount was increased 10x during a difficult recruiting period. In effect, I bootstrapped a modern engineering team from scratch.VAs’ objectives were challenged by the breath of technologies needed by their instruments. This new team was tasked to create custom, efficient electronics that combined RF, precision analog, ASICs, mixed-signal, MCU, FPGA, SoC, electro-optical and low-noise power supplies. To succeed necessitated an evolution in signal-processing, embedded code, and RTL. During the initial ramp-up with limited staff, I assumed a lead technical role in these critical areas. My contribution kept development timetables on track with a modest group of early-career engineers. Soon after my arrival at Vector Atomic, my job was challenged by the arrival of the global pandemic. To kickstart recruiting, I initiated a new graduate effort that converted 3 engineers during one of the most difficult recruiting environments in years. On a related matter, to support development work during the lockdown necessitated a shift in how we worked. To address pandemic protocols, I promoted and expanded cloud-based CASE methods. The group was smoothly transitioned to a hybrid-WFH model within minimal loss in productivity.

Tucson, Arizona Area

This position represented the culmination of work that was started during my period as a technical contractor. The target customer was CERN (funded through DoE). The primary task of this work was create custom RTL modules for Altera/Intel FPGAs. This work was part of the upgrade to the Atlas Detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The technical challenge was to design an architecture to generate high-speed serial packets, including 10GbE with programmable formats. To maximize throughput and support real-time data handling, I developed a custom data streaming engine. This module required a high degree of parallelism to meet critical requirements including 100% channel utilization. Control of packetization format was dynamic and allowed on-the-fly packet redefinition to support a range of operating modes. This feature was critical to support bring-up efforts and debugging, as well as the final measurement configuration.For this work, I was responsible all RTL coding, timing closure, and integration within CERN design processes (JIRA and Gitlab). Further, this module was part of a larger effort and required close cooperation with many international partners. Beyond coding, I was responsible for coordination with other teams. This included formal presentations and informal collaboration activities.

Tucson, Az

Provided technical expertise to numerous research and commercial projects. Some highlights include the design of a servo-control system for high-volume industrial automation, a signal-processing implementation for a next-generation quantum gyroscope and an FPGA-based image-processing algorithm for a real-time AO system. Also, managed and built a successful consulting business with responsibility for all aspects of business development. ► Founded a profitable technical consulting company. Secured a trademark. Negotiate key contracts and agreements. Developed new markets for our services.► Served as Senior Design Engineer on the camera system for the OSIRIS-Rex deep-space mission► FPGA designer for the Large-Hadron Collider, the world's largest and most powerful particle collider and most complex experimental facility ever built and the largest single machine in the world

Tucson, Arizona Area

I managed the electronics team at Arizona Optical Systems (AOS). This group was tasked with designing and delivering a new remote sensing instrument for a large defense contractor. AOS had limited familiarity with the programmatic overhead demanded by this contractor. Leveraging previous experiences, I was able to improve customer reports and technical reviews. This helped to reduce friction and improve collaboration with our customers. Success in this project called for a tricky balancing act. It required achieving challenging requirements and a heavy CDRL reporting schedule using an inexperienced staff and limited resources. I was successful at keeping the program on track while organizing and expanding the electronics and firmware team. At my departure, the team was well-positioned for future success.

Beverly, Ma

Directed the Development Group accountable to develop technology products for the precision time and frequency market and oversaw the development of a new embedded timing capability. Managed a team of engineers and technicians with 10 direct reports. Key Achievements:► Served as the System Architect on numerous high-profile projects, which included time reference for LTE. ► Project Managed for external contracts, such as an over $1 M development contract with CERDEC (US Army). ► Launched a successful initiative to adapt web-centric tools for collaboration within the engineering group. ► Served as the Technical Lead accountable to spearhead implementations involving Kalman filters.

Danvers, Ma

Directed a cross-functional group of engineers, physicists and technicians in the development of miniature, low-power atomic clocks for the US Air Force and Navy including six direct reports. Delivered a new generation of atomic clocks based on Coherent Population Tracking using a new quantum sensing approach. Key Achievements:► Served as the Principal Investigator on the development program to create a new type of atomic clock for the GPS satellite constellation, with a heavy emphasis on FPGA technology and fault tolerance by design. ► Designed SoC architecture and coded IP in an optimized combination of VHDL and embedded C/C++. Designed and implemented an automated test and verification systems using Python.

Natick, Ma

Started out as a DSP Development Engineer and rapidly promoted to Software Development Manager. Oversaw the product line for COTS software and hardware used in rapid-prototyping and served as the primary point of contact for key customers such as Caterpillar. Key Achievements:► Spearheaded a high-priority development initiative to develop a new family of software products for the EDA-semiconductor market. ► Formulated the overall architecture and implementation plan and served as the Lead Developer accountable for coding in VHDL, C++ and FLI. ► EDN Magazine named the resulting product, “Link for ModelSim” ‘Innovation of the Year’, in 2003.

Bachelor Of Science, Electrical Engineering

Activities and Societies: ETA KAPPA NU, TAU BETA PIHONORS: Summa Cum Laude, Intermediate Honors

Master Of Science, Electrical Engineering

THESIS: “Statistical Considerations of Modified Two Bit Sampling for Astronomical Correlators”