Resume
Work
Experience
2023 - Present
SPRK Electric Boats
Technology Lead
At SPRK I oversee all technical aspects of our design and prototyping process. The electrical systems are my primary design contribution but I also manage research, work planning, and design implementation. I have to be flexible and knowledgeable in a variety of technical fields to enable the creation of a beautiful product.
2021 - 2023
Jaza Energy
Electronics Design Engineer
Jaza Energy delivers affordable and renewable energy to communities in Tanzania and Nigeria. I was hired by the company to develop their next generation of battery packs. This work involved technical and market research, extreme levels of design cost optimization, and significant troubleshooting. Jaza has produced over 5000 circuit boards that I designed and plans to produce tens of thousands in the coming two years. I took over hardware design at the company and consequently was responsible for many aspects of design, testing, and management.
2020 - 2021
XOCEAN Canada
Research and Development Engineer
At XOCEAN I managed the construction of a prototype autonomous survey vessel. This involved extensive technical communication and organization, as well as design verification and testing. I worked with electricians, fabricators, and welders to deliver the final product. My daily activities frequently included work plan creation, hands-on testing, and design implementation. Technical troubleshooting was a key part of my duties and I excelled at identifying and resolving functional issues. I showed flexibility and dedication by making myself responsible for the work of everyone I directed. I learned many valuable lessons about interdisciplinary cooperation and project management.
2018 - 2019
Independent Electronics Engineering Contractor
After graduating from my Engineering degree at university I worked as a design contractor for a year. I worked on many hardware and software design projects, and honed my communication and organization skills. Working on my own schedule forced me to optimize my time and constantly set my own goals and targets. I also worked with Dalhousie university to design and teach a two part lecture series about hardware design and prototyping. I was a guest lecturer for the third year design class as well, focusing on the prototyping process and PCB basics.
2017 - 2018
NewAE Technology
Electronics Design Engineer
​Working as a designer at NewAE developed my skills and passion for PCB design. From cost-optimized two layer boards to six layer mixed signal designs, I found many nuances in both the electrical and physical design processes. A large part of my job was designing application specific development boards for security testing and research, as well as building the tools for that process. Extensive hardware testing and prototyping was also a large component of my work. This position provided the push for me to specialize in electronic design and prototyping, while also teaching me many skills that only come from practice and reinforcement.
2016 - 2017
Nova Scotia Power
Junior Telecommunications Engineer
At Nova Scotia Power I worked in two different positions. First I worked as a software designer developing a prototype application for maintenance data collection. My second position was on the telecommunications team doing both system design and maintenance. I worked with large TCP/IP systems doing network troubleshooting and designing new hardware installations. I also developed installation procedures for upcoming projects and managed maintenance and procurement activities. This job also provided me with an opportunity to travel to the Bahamas to assist the local power utility in their recovery efforts after a hurricane
Education
2014 - 2019
Dalhousie University
BSc. Electrical Engineering
A degree in Electrical Engineering from Dalhousie University exposed me to a wide variety of technical skills. From programming in C++ and assembly to digital signal processing and control systems. Analog and digital circuit analysis, as well as embedded programming and high frequency design were covered in various courses. Design projects were used to demonstrate project management skills and teamwork ability.
Skills
& Expertise
Electronic Hardware
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Electronics design of analog, digital, and mixed signal systems
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Extensive experience with rechargeable battery protection and management
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Designing embedded systems using both micro-controllers and FPGAs
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Experience in marine applications of complex embedded and RTOS systems
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Extensive PCB layout skills and experience using ECAD software
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Troubleshooting devices using measurement and analytical processes
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Analog and digital circuit analysis and construction, Soldering
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Experience working with high voltage circuits, sensitive lab equipment
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Extensive experience building and troubleshooting personal computers
Software
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Extensive experience with object-oriented programming languages like C++ and Python
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Experience with application and microcontroller programming in C, Assembly, and VHDL
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Experience with analysis and computational software like Matlab, Simulink, Pspice
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Proficient in various ECAD packages including Altium Designer and KiCAD
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Proficient in physical CAD packages including Solidworks and FreeCAD
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Analytical debugging skills within individual computers and networks
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Experience in network administration and troubleshooting, protocol analysis
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Familiar with database systems and interactions, SQL
Organization
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Managing task delegation and scheduling in an R&D environment
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Technical document creation for work plans and design implementation
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Maintaining multiple projects with different clients
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Drafting project proposals, contracts, and invoices
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Communicating technical information to non-technical clientele
Hobbies
& Interests
Camping and Hiking
I sometimes struggle with the overwhelming stimulation of modern day life, with infinite possibilities for work, entertainment, and interaction. It can be easy to get stuck in complex decisions or to find yourself paralysed by choice and information. I find being out in nature to be the perfect antidote for these feelings. Hiking and camping offer me clear short term goals while limiting my intake of new information. Putting one foot in front of the other, gathering firewood, and setting up a tent are all things that contract my world and help me feel present in the moment. The beauty of our natural world also brings me joy that I can't easily put into words. Solo journeys I have undertaken include climbing mountains in New Zealand, venturing into the Patagonian Andes in Argentina, and sea kayaking in the North Atlantic. My adventures have helped me build my confidence and decision making skills, and have kept my logistics and risk management skills sharp.
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Cooking
I am lucky enough to usually eat three meals a day. Each time we sit down for a meal can be an opportunity for enjoyment, discovery, and learning. In my mind, wasting these chances by eating mediocre food is a tragic misuse of time. I love to eat dishes from different places and prepared by different people. Culture is so eminently shaped by cuisine, I've learned so much and made so many connections around the table. Experimenting with new ingredients and uncovering their capabilities feels like an adventure to me. My favourite cuisines to cook are Italian, Indian, and French; though I love trying new things as well. It is a privilege to have so much food available in my day to day life. I am very grateful for all the joy it brings me. ​
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DIY
​Fixing things has been a passion of mine since I was a child. The first Christmas gift I can remember was a woodworking bench from my grandfather. Some of my first jobs were landscaping and painting work. I get a lot of satisfaction from working with my own hands and seeing the results of my labour. Now as an adult I love to do my own car repairs and household maintenance. Gaining new useful skills always feels rewarding. Doubly so when those skills can be later applied to help friends and loved ones.