Kevin Swanson Email & Phone Number

Pittsburgh, Pa, Us

Managing a team responsible for the design, integration, and testing of all interface functions between the self-driving technology and vehicle platform. These functions include motion control, fault handling, and controls integration, along with the overall vehicle architecture. I specialize in parallelized development of prototype functionality and production designs, enabling all of Latitude to rapidly develop feature intent functionality without incurring significant technical debt.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Us

During my 5+ years at Argo I built a team of 30 engineers including managers and individual contributors across the US and Germany that was responsible for: - Integration and Test of autonomous vehicle platforms across functions including Motion Control and Actuation, Sensor Performance, ECU Interfaces, and Functional Safety.- Integration of prototype vehicles and sign-off of new prototypes for safe, secure, and reliable fleet usage through Argo's internal Safety and Security Committee.- The formal DVP&R of all Autonomous Vehicle Platform Functions (ex: Start-up/Shutdown, Mode Management) and Functional Safety Requirements.- Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL) development, including the procurement of HiL hardware, software, and models from suppliers and OEM partners, internal development of models, and test design and automation.- Bench Operations, including program management of all hardware bench assets and software tools, enabling automated Continuous Integration testing and increasing remote useability for all employees.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Us

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Us

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Us

Dearborn, Michigan, Us

Lead test and integration engineer for Ford’s autonomous vehicles team, operating as the primary link between theory-based algorithm development and in-vehicle implementation. Main tasks include working with core developers to create functional code, performing in-vehicle testing, analyzing data, and debugging code. Other projects include developing C and MATLAB code for data analytics, designing and setting up hardware for special testing, calibrating actuators and sensors, and investigating the use of low-fidelity sensors for more rugged, low-cost localization and navigation.Vehicle management tasks include developing safe and efficient testing procedures for all aspects of development (vehicle control, sensing, perception, localization, etc.), maintaining the vehicle fleet during an increase in size, and working with the production development team to transition the fleet into production level technology.

Dearborn, Michigan, Us

Worked in transmission calibration, utilizing pressure control strategies to optimize shift quality, fuel economy, and performance in six speed, mid-level torque, front/all wheel drive vehicles such as the Ford Explorer and Lincoln MKZ. Specific projects included multi-vehicle clutch characterizations and real-time adaptive clutch touch point control for improved cross-platform performance with less variation and individual tuning of calibrations. Additionally worked with Ford's AVL Drive (purchased driveability software) team to analyze raw data and compile full reports to validate transmission shift quality, ultimately supporting cost, quality, and timing initiatives for all Ford and Lincoln platforms.Previously worked on a technical review team to improve implementation of an externally purchased dual clutch transmission into low-level torque platforms. Tasks included leading Eight Disciplines Problem Solving (8D) review sessions and then designing and conducting independent experiments to verify the supplier's findings. Primary experimentation focused on the electro-mechanical performance of the transmission controller and shift motors, but also focused on clutch and sealant performance. The review team's work resulted in over a 600% decrease in Things Gone Wrong (TGWs) bringing Ford's overall transmission quality rating from last to 3rd among all major automotive manufacturers.

University Park, Pa, Us

Completed research, design, fabrication, and publications on many projects including a fully autonomous truck, a full-scale 360 degree 6-axis vehicle simulator, a remote operated construction site, an inductive guidance land robot, an auto-tracking turret, and a remote driven go-cart. Conducted both simulations and live testing of tele-operated and time-delayed vehicle control, high speed tire deflation, and applying zero moment point analysis for vehicle rollover detection. Led multiple children's science camps and demonstrations to promote early interest in STEM fields.

University Park, Pa, Us

General adviser for over 950 undergraduate students in the Penn State Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Department. Duties included student scheduling, Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accreditation completion, records keeping, and advising in Penn State's First-Year Testing, Consulting, and Advising Program (FTCAP). Also coordinated and led tours and demonstrations for prospective students and donors.

Tutored multiple students in classes that are prerequisites for engineers such as engineeringmechanics, physics, and math. Responsibilities included creating lesson plans for students that help them learn the concepts of the class and establish effective study habits for future success.

Reston, Va, Us

Worked on multiple aspects of the Digital Video Surveillance System project including partdesign, CAD modeling, environmental quality testing, and product fabrication. Performed work on other projects including ruggedized monitors and the MRAP simulator.

M.S., Mechanical Engineering

B.S., Mechanical Engineering