Brenda Mccourt Email and Phone Number

Learning how to wrangle data.

Successfully led SOTIF assessments and safety case developments for ADAS features such as adaptive cruise control and highway assist, resulting in improved system robustness and market readiness. Contributed to the design and implementation of autonomous driving algorithms with a focus on enhancing driver safety and comfort. Collaborated with cross-functional teams to integrate safety-critical features into next-generation vehicle platforms, enhancing overall vehicle safety and performance.

Program Management & Data AnalyticsLed a team of model-based systems engineering (MBSE) practitioners to support engineering teams, focusing on data-driven decision-making and process optimization. Defined and scoped new projects, collected requirements, and coordinated cross-functional efforts to establish timelines and deliverables. Managed team scrum activities, backlog grooming, and risk assessment, ensuring timely progress tracking and resource allocation. Facilitated key meetings, streamlined communication, and removed roadblocks to accelerate project success. Continuously optimized work processes by leveraging data analytics to improve efficiency and effectiveness.Systems Thinking & ArchitectureDeveloped a strategy and roadmap for a custom MBSE framework aligned with Rivian’s Feature Driven Design process. Created and governed SysML structural and behavioral models for vehicle CAN networks and subsystems, ensuring robust systems thinking and design. Facilitated the decomposition and allocation process for system models and requirements, while supporting model architects in the Cameo tool suite. Collaborated with IT and vendors to enhance SysML training and provided deep technical support as a TPM and Systems Engineer for the Electrical Safety team.

Drive the creation and execution of multi-year program roadmaps for strategic international business initiatives, leveraging data analytics to align with organizational goals. Decompose customer objectives into data-driven insights, ensuring clear communication and understanding across technical and business stakeholders. Manage cross-functional projects by implementing data-centric processes that enhance clarity and streamline business practices. Perform in-depth cost and profit margin analysis, utilizing analytics to guide decision-making. Present key program metrics, data-driven insights, risks, and opportunities to senior executives, fostering informed decisions and strategic alignment.

Led digital transformation initiatives for the concept development and design of a Naval carrier-based aerial refueling drone, utilizing data analytics to drive decision-making. Implemented Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodologies, integrating Scrum and Kanban for requirements validation, design resolution, and interface management.Defined and prioritized product features based on data-driven insights, developed detailed specifications, and ensured thorough coverage and traceability across product teams. Managed the technical baseline of multiple products, overseeing thousands of requirements. Established metrics and created dynamic dashboards to provide senior leadership with actionable data and insights.Customized and deployed a data-focused hybrid development approach for autonomy and automation services using Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe®), optimizing processes and improving project outcomes.

Served a dual role of Staff Systems Engineer and Product Owner of two Agile development teams working under the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe®). Responsible for defining SaaS solutions to business problems by creating new product features, while working with product management, product development and product operations. Provided requirements decomposition and flow-down to the supporting development teams. Conducted formal requirements presentations supporting phase gate reviews. Coordinated meetings to drive issue resolution in requirements clarification. Built and fostered relationships across departments to facilitate team collaboration in defining requirements.

Led and managed a system architecture modeling team responsible for developing structural and behavioral SysML models for deriving requirements and allocating to various product teams, supporting software modeling, and system safety analyses. Analyzed ambiguous customer requirements and defined functional and non-functional requirements. Generated engineering estimates and schedules. Conducted and presented at major milestone design reviews.

System-modeling architect for Advanced Cockpit program and unmanned carrier-based system. Designed and managed DoD Architecture Framework system models. Managed requirements analysis and designed processes tailored for various programs. Developed specification templates ensuring consistency and quality among multiple teams. Conducted technology maturity assessments. Created technical WBS, SOW, plans and estimates. Project Engineer on a manned-unmanned demonstration project with the Apache Longbow for the US Army’s Common Systems Integration effort.

Software team lead for integration and testing of new product capabilities. Served as engineering liaison with foreign subcontractors. Managed change requests and planned software builds between internal stakeholders and subcontractors. Developed software requirements, including detailed documentation with full traceability. Coordinated product releases with customer and subcontractors. Designed UI for subsystems. Wrote engineering change proposals and presented them at configuration review boards.