William Gourlay Email & Phone Number

Shelburne, Vt, Us

Detroit, Mi, Us

Firmware development for new technology with a Boston area startup.• Design, implement, and debug embedded firmware in C.• Refactoring and code improvement to transition from proof of concept to production-readiness.• Expansion of custom serial protocol to support additional functionality and diagnostics.• Integration and modification of 3rd party libraries to suit application and architecture.

Detroit, Michigan, Us

Developed new calibration methodology and process for electrified vehicle propulsion system and controls, working horizontally between vehicle programs to improve team coordination and corporate learning. • Designed and performed analysis, simulation, and testing to validate and refine powertrain controls capability. • Calibrated and developed controls software to achieve desired system behavior.• Created method for automating the hybrid optimization calibration to ensure maximum efficiency across conditions with significantly less calibration effort and cost.• Developed method to automate feature/event recognition and correlation of vehicle and simulation data, drastically reducing post-processing effort.• Developed automation scripts to execute batch testing common to multiple test environments (simulation and physical test). • Initiated and maintained new cross-department process for organizing advanced program capability assessments and verification/validation plans, to better understand overlap, impacts and tradeoffs.• Chaired weekly meeting pertaining to multiple advanced programs to vet and allocate new items, and update progress on ongoing projects as part of the above process, increasing collaboration and coordination and enabling greater visibility of concerns.• Developed test verification and validation strategy to systematically ensure that advanced programs will have hardware, software and calibration in place to meet high level requirements.

System integration of prototype CAES grid-scale storage systems, collaborating with mechanical, electrical, software, commissioning and technology development teams. • Designed, implemented, debugged and maintained machine control software (PLC) and user interface (PLC and SCADA). • Designed self-diagnostic algorithms for improved machine monitoring and diagnosis. • Characterized prototype machine performance to inform next mechanical and control design including: - Design and execution of testing at hardware system-level and sub-system level. - Data acquisition, signal processing and data analysis. - Empirical and theoretical analyses using Matlab/Octave, Excel and Python, for system level, plant level, and component level studies. • Created SimScape based hydraulic, pneumatic, and mechanical machine model to characterize issues and performance, rapidly and effectively informing control strategies and mechanical design. • Created PLC based machine simulation and interface used for test of new control algorithms resulting in significant reduction in development time, expense and risk. • Maintained and expanded python-based script for automatic generation of low-level IO code, driver level code, and simulation elements and interface. • Supported on site commissioning of grid-connected prototype as responsible engineer on site during testing and upgrades. • Created stochastic dynamic programming (SDP) optimization tool as part of a joint professional/academic project resulting in potential improvements to system.

Hinesburg, Vermont, Us

Debugged and diagnosed product prototype issues with respect to firmware, electrical design, data acquisition, and communication. • Developed embedded firmware in C environment at the driver/hardware level up to the application level with emphasis on very low power consumption. • Reduced system power consumption through analysis, hardware testing, and firmware driver lever development. • Developed and troubleshot distributed wireless sensor network, solving communication issues, ensuring data integrity and low power operation. • Performed battery thermal characterization testing for on-board SOC determination. • Collaborated on the development of a software management process using principles of Agile and lean product development.

Detroit, Michigan, Us

Integrated and characterized hybrid system hardware and controls.• Calibrated hydraulic control software for optimal powertrain efficiency, performance and driveability• Investigated root cause of anomalies in hybrid powertrain software and hardware• Created genetic optimization algorithm for automatic vehicle calibration earning recognition for the concept• Named on patent for novel hydraulic system control algorithm• Modelling and simulation of components and system level hybrid operation including: − Motor thermal analysis and simulation to predict and/or prevent motor over-temperature condition− Hydraulic pump modelling of pressure, flow, and power requirements, used to determine pump drive requirements and duty cycle − Drive cycle and hybrid system analysis to determine optimal system operating mode and control strategy on next generation unit• Automatic computation of hardware and theory based calibrations across multiple platforms, reducing re-calibration effort with design changes and/or new systems

Designed and implemented data acquisition and data analysis software and methodology for end-of-line engine test systems. • Conducted root cause investigations into system irregularities resulting in new design standards and cost savings to the company. • Designed and implemented machine control software (PLC) including human-machine interface and machine control sequence. • Developed PID controlled mass flow leak test system eliminating mechanical drift over time and increasing station flexibility. • Team earned Ford Supplier Excellence Award in 2004 for manufacturing test development • Performed run-to-run and part-to-part variability analysis together with test stand correlation prior to and after factory installation. • Collaborated on the development of a software management team implementing the Carnegie Mellon CMMI model for software management. • Compiled sales portfolio used company wide by cataloguing and documenting test methodologies and systems.

Master Of Engineering (M.Eng.), Energy Systems Engineering

Bse, Electrical Engineering

Study Abroad Program, Computer Science And Philosophy