Software Engineer developing Enterprise-scale Machine Learning Solutions

Immediately following promotion to Associate Engineer, I took on the role of Lead Developer for the Dynamic Aircraft-Ship Interface (DASI) numerical model - a multithreaded bespoke physics simulator built in C# and designed to increase the problem space that the Ship-Air Interface Group are able to address for customers. - I led the Software Development project to deliver the DASI numerical model, from initial requirements definition through to final testing, validation, and release. This included developing the majority of the model (from high-level architecture down to detailed algorithms) as well as managing and supporting others. All work was done on Windows 7 and 10 systems using Visual Studio for development, NUnit 3.0 for Unit Testing, Enterprise Architect for UML modelling, and StarTeam for configuration control.- I mentored and taught Graduate Engineers during the DASI project, using my teaching skills to guide them in learning the necessary skills and technologies to contribute to the project. I used this as an opportunity to grow my skills in breaking down and delegating tasks appropriately, balancing both team development and project progression. - I supported the development and testing of a new online Mathematics and Engineering Preparation Course for the Empire Test Pilot School. This gave me the chance to use my domain knowledge and teaching skills to shape teaching materials and delivery methods to be suitable for student self-learning. For this I learned basic HTML and CSS usage.

During the accredited QinetiQ Graduate Scheme, I enjoyed the varied challenge of Rotorcraft Test & Evaluation and Modelling & Simulation based roles. I supported multiple high-profile Flight Test projects for the UK MoD, gaining experience in working in large multidisciplinary teams addressing many facets of solving a complex and varied set of problems. This included 12 months working in a QinetiQ-Boeing partnership team for Flight Trials critical to the UK MoD customer, during which I learned PV-WAVE to develop scripts to augment analyses performed by QinetiQ’s in-house data analysis package.

I innovated on multiple consultancy contracts, using in-house numerical models to gain understanding of complex physical systems and solve customers’ problems. I worked in the Linux environment primarily, with usage of Windows 7 virtual machines via Oracle VirtualBox. During this role, I was part of the development team for the CUPAR hydrocode project. For this, I learned Object Oriented Programming (specifically, C++) and developed an efficient method to identify and group boundary surfaces in an unstructured mesh. This involved using the Visualisation Toolkit (VTK) package in C++, and I learned to use Git as part of a team.

I used the EDEN hydrocode in the Linux environment to solve 2D and 3D problems for customers. This role demonstrated the difference between academic and consultancy research, and developed my self-reliance and resilience when facing difficulty with real-world deadlines.

Funded by an award from the Carnegie Trust, I helped to develop the Fortran 90 CASL model. This included implementation of periodic boundary conditions and a novel solution algorithm designed to increase the maximum Reynolds Number that could be accurately simulated by the model.This position taught me the value in continuous improvement of a software solution. All work was done in a Linux environment, using remote login (via SSH) from a Mac OS X computer.