Nicholas Schafer Email & Phone Number

Research, design, and production of airborne sensor systems: integration of sensors (GPS, INS, EO Camera, IR Camera, LiDAR, ...), firmware development, software integration, mechanical CAD and CAM, parts sourcing, documentation (ICDs, technical manuals, user manuals, ...).WAMICam3 Project• Managed mechatronics team producing novel ¼ Gigapixel Wide Area Motion Imagery (WAMI) system• Ported firmware to new microcontroller ecosystem• Tested multiple vendors Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) to select for optimal SWaP and performance• Prototyped novel Pinion Gimbal concept across multiple scales• Flight tested Pinion Gimbal designs• Designed and conducted tests on multiple EO cameras to select for optimal performance and integration• Designed and conducted tests on multiple IR and low light cameras to evaluate practicality for system• Oversaw design, construction, and integration of 12inch prototype system for developmental flight testing• Reengineered, built, and tested flight version of power system• Designed, manufactured, and installed cabling• Researched, sought quotes, and purchased mechanical and electrical COTS parts for system• Created ICDs, technical, and operator manuals for system• Conducted field testing, first installs, and evaluation test flights of complete 15inch system• Delivered Prototype 15inch ¼ Gigapixel WAMI SystemAir-to-Ground Link• Developed and installed gimbaled tracking system to improve Air-to-Ground link for WAMI testing• Researched, sought quotes, and purchased mechanical and electrical COTS parts for tracking systemAircam Demonstrator Integration• Designed mounts for 12inch prototype system to be moved to Aircam Demonstrator Plane• Manufactured and installed systems components onto Aircam• Confirmed proper function through initial flight tests

Albuquerque, New Mexico Area

WAMICam2 Project• Integrated new cameras into C++ Software• Integrated new GPS into microcontroller code• Designed mechanical gimbal structure • Manufactured prototype parts from printed materials and machined aluminum• Resolved EMI issues affecting communications and GPS link• Designed, populated, and tested iterative versions of interface PCB• Designed and prototyped protective composite layup skid• Conducted pre-delivery installation, check-outs, and flight testing• Delivered four WAMICam2 systems to customerMulticamera System• Designed, prototyped, and tested multicamera WAMI gimbal• Performed flight test of system for multi-camera capture and coordinationMultispectral Evaluation System• Evaluated and sourced power electronics to fulfill system SWaP• Developed code for capturing data from multiple sources: EO Camera, IR Camera, GPS, and LIDAR• Designed and manufactured mechanical prototype• Customized firmware for system with distinct sensors and flight profile

Tutored students in Algebra, Calculus, and Test Preparation (ACT, SAT, GRE)

Dortmund Area, Germany

Researched Multipath Transmission Control Protocol (MPTCP) for application with simultaneous low and high bandwidth links to robots and drones, created test-bed for evaluation, defined metrics, and performed tests

Dortmund Area, Germany

Organized Close Encouters - Robot Proxemics project group. Implemented mobile robot-human interaction with the use of a Pioneer 3-DX and Robot Operating System.

Instructor for freshman success class covering essential college skills –personal responsibility, critical thinking, and time management–, tutor and mentor for Mechanical Engineering freshmen.

Liaison between students and faculty, student representative in department meetings, assisted in preparations for ABET accreditation review.

Student Intern through DAAD RISE program. Performed work on Holonomic Drive project: reviewed project literature, checked calculations, assembled prototype, and assisted on other projects.

Performed mechanical and electrical computer drafting as well as support work for engineering and production staff.

Worked as part of a building staff and special program planning staff. Developed dorm community, organized programs for residents, and enforced policies.

Conducted initial research for cubesat project (Dotsat) ground station and wrote tutorials for Digital Electronics Lab at NMT.

Wrote tutorials for the UNM Digital Electronics Lab.

Bachelor Of Science, Mechanical Engineering, Minor In Electrical Engineering, 3.99/4.00

Activities and Societies: Tau Beta Pi, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Engineers Without Borders (EWB)

M.Sc. (Incomplete), Automation And Robotics, 3.5/4.0

Extensive graduate course work