Visiting the Grand Canyon in 2016.
This Is Just The Beginning!
What do I mean by that? If you’re on the right career track whether it’s a Veteran Space Engineer (like myself) who happens to on the side help US Veterans, STEM professionals, and others (a.k.a. +300 to date) with career services, it’s not hard to find if you keep going for it.
To understand this better, I’ll draw upon my own LinkedIn profile to give a biography of my professional road . . .
Holding my Christmas SR-71A Blackbird model that I got for Christmas when I was 8.
Obviously, my passions started at a young age.
My 19th Birthday while earning my Associates in Electronics.
I received my Associates Degree in Electronics Technology from Muskegon Community College. I then pursued a relevant Engineering Bachelors Degree from Wayne State University (NOTE: I am presently working on my Masters in Systems Engineering, and will mention more shortly).
The site of my Electrical Engineering Internship in Auburn Hills, MI.
While still attending Wayne State, I served as an Electrical Engineering Intern at Continental (formerly Siemens) assisting the staff engineers in validating and circuit analyzing automotive body controllers. This gave me great insight into the engineering world’s day-to-day operations and rhythm which greatly prepared me for my post-college future.
Wayne State University’s “Old Main” building in Detroit, MI.
I graduated from Wayne State with my Bachelors in Electrical Soon afterward.
For the first ten years, I worked at a series of Automotive Engineering positions, most notably what is now Fiat Chrysler until I received the opportunity of a lifetime.
The Rocket garden at Orbital ATK (Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems).
Orbital ATK (now called Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems as of 2018) was my first foray into the Space Exploration initiative. At this point in my career, I realized that the Automotive industry, although worthy of its place, was not my career passion. Aerospace has been my true calling and I decided to apply for an Electrical Design Engineer IV position at Orbital ATK to get in on the NASA Space Launch System (SLS) Booster Project.
★ Once hired, I worked on system, sensor, and cable designs for SLS boosters.
★ I wrote specifications and requirements for avionics units and flight vehicle sensors and conducted trade research of suppliers for SLS Development Flight Instrumentation (DFI), leading to engineering-efficient transducers and avionics units and production cost savings.
★ I also collected sensor inputs, producing a comprehensive list of sensor measurements for booster and PDR. I personally designed 60+ cable harnesses for the SLS boosters, ensuring cost savings on in-house design and development.
This at the time was my greatest achievement in my career, but my skills and experiences gained there would lend themselves well to my next (and even greater) assignment at United Launch Alliance where I would continue the work on SLS and work on the EFT-1 Flight of NASA’s Orion.
Delta IV Heavy with the first NASA/Lockheed Orion spacecraft ready for the 2014 EFT-1 launch.
After leaving Orbital ATK (again, it’s Northrop Grumman now), I took a Senior Electrical Engineering position at United Launch Alliance (or ULA). To date, this is my favorite and the highest-achieving position. The following is a list of my activities and achievements:
★ I led the technical review and avionics flight-worthy disposition for flight designation EFT-1, NASA’s first Orion Test Flight in 2014, a significant achievement.
★ I led laboratory and pre-flight launch Test Investigations and ensured avionics fail test Root Cause Analysis and Corrective Action implementation, instilling large customer (USAF, NASA) confidence and buy-in.
★ I developed and delivered the Anomaly and Engineering Review Board (ARB/ERB) presentations to present failure analysis and risk mitigations along with design proposals to make Flight-Critical Avionics stand further in line with real operational requirements.
★ I prepared electronic ground tests (OMRS) for NASA’s SLS Second Stage avionics and sensors to verify on-pad functionality and pre-flight checks.
★ I identified Add-On-Instrumentation (AOI) sensor inputs for the SLS Second Stage’s Interface Control Drawing (ICD) and assisted 3D modelers with installation positioning.
★ I analyzed the Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) for SLS Second Stage’s cable harnesses, verifying the identification of all potential fault modes and worst-case failure effects.
★ I wrote Variances for use of existing avionics components, assuring compatible launch vehicle components.
My family and I at a ULA employees day event with “Rocky”, the Delta IV Rocket.
★ I built Customer Confidence for Flight-Critical Delta IV avionics via presentation of in-depth technical knowledge at Avionics reviews and ARB/ERB’s, and Continuous Improvement training, Mission Assurance/Success concepts and Error/Mistake Prevention drills. This engendered customer (USAF, NASA) trust and reliance on the team for future support, technical consult and avionics issue resolution.
★ I addressed avionics control unit quality issues and schedule backlog; Boosted first-time quality and reduced backlog and cycle time of product data review, development, and production processes, improving performance and assuring adherence to the schedule and quality standards.
★ Finally, I provided technical review and flight-worthy dispositions on avionics for Delta II and Delta IV mission flights for the USAF, National Reconnaissance Office, and NASA; this included attending and leading avionics Pedigree Reviews and addressing USAF customer technical questions related to operational flight-worthiness.
With the discontinuation of the Delta avionics system I was working on, I turned for a time to other aerospace projects.
At Sierra Nevada Corporation, I took the role of Systems/Avionics Engineer, I provided consultation and custom-avionics design for advanced proprietary aircraft avionics systems.
★ A highlight of this role was my creation of a custom analog actuator controller, and assuring efficient integration, previous controller option retirement, and substantial cost savings.
★ I collaborated on the avionics team using data protocols such as MIL-STD-1553, Controller-Area-Network (CAN) and ARINC-429, successfully defining avionics communication protocols between units.
★ I also defined sensor technologies and messaging for aircraft fuel systems, and collaborated on aircraft electrical power systems.
Iteknowledgies International is located in Scottsdale, Arizona.
I presently serve as an Electrical Engineering STEM Consultant at Iteknowledgies International for aerospace, power, and industrial process engineering for external corporate clients.
★ I provide consultation for the development and integration of avionics, communications, controls and propulsion for commercial operations for aerospace, power, and industrial process engineering.
★ I also provide advisory assistance with the development of new upstart engineering firms for aerospace, power and industrial process engineering applications.
Rocky Mountain Resumes LLC is a company that I have used for writing resumes and Linkedin Profiles.
As a small offshoot of my Engineering and Technical history, I started a career service called Rocky Mountain Resumes LLC, a venture which serves US Veterans, STEM-professionals, and other professional clients in producing an Ideal Résumé and Ideal LinkedIn Profile to pursue and maintain their Niche Career. I have the Certified Professional Résumé Writer credential from the PARW/CC (or Professional Association Of Résumé Writers & Career Coaches).
★ My greatest specialty includes the use of my Engineering and STEM-background, namely focusing on coaching new Engineering college graduates, mid-career Technical professionals, and US Veterans via experience with having served previously on résumé review and interview panels at past companies.
Again, This Is Just The Beginning!
UCCS campus in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Space Engineering for me is not in the past. It very much part of my life and future.
Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus Rocket line.
Presently, I am enrolled in the Masters of Systems Engineering program at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs with a focus on Spacecraft Avionics and Electrical Subsystem/Component functional development. And along with my STEM Resume efforts, I still have plans/designs on Space Exploration efforts. The “Sci-Fi’s” the limit shall we say.
NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS).
That’s why I’ve been a part of the efforts in Human and Unmanned Space Flight, and I always will be. Whether it’s coaching on the resume for an entry-level engineer or physicist or doing systems engineering design on an advanced spacecraft, one has to help make a difference for the modern Race for Space.
The new space race is commercial! Want to join?
Do you have a career passion? Is there something that you love to do better than a certain salary amount number? Something you’d do for free, but could produce an income and become viable because YOU can offer something unique? Pursue it! Take a class or school program.
Getting to see Shuttle Atlantis at the KSC visitor center was incredible!
I see many professionals going back to obtain advanced degrees later in life not just for paying bills but the love of knowledge. Each place you’re at in your career is a stepping stone to even greater things as long as you find your passion in it and take no (with respect to professionalism) for an answer.
R2-D2 and I at a Star Wars event in Colorado Springs.
For the Great Galactic Space Gimmick, I’m Gimmick Commander Ben Faltinowski! 🙂
© Ben Faltinowski and The Great Galactic Space Gimmick, 2018, authorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Ben Faltinowski and The Great Galactic Space Gimmick with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
DISCLAIMER: The images used here came from various public sources. Other images utilized are strictly for educational purposes and promotion of the aerospace and space sectors. No royalties were collected or sought for this article, and this article is free to the public. It is believed that this constitutes fair use.
Related
October 16, 2018
Comments From Gimmick Command: This Is Just the Beginning!
Visiting the Grand Canyon in 2016.
This Is Just The Beginning!
What do I mean by that? If you’re on the right career track whether it’s a Veteran Space Engineer (like myself) who happens to on the side help US Veterans, STEM professionals, and others (a.k.a. +300 to date) with career services, it’s not hard to find if you keep going for it.
To understand this better, I’ll draw upon my own LinkedIn profile to give a biography of my professional road . . .
Holding my Christmas SR-71A Blackbird model that I got for Christmas when I was 8.
Obviously, my passions started at a young age.
My 19th Birthday while earning my Associates in Electronics.
I received my Associates Degree in Electronics Technology from Muskegon Community College. I then pursued a relevant Engineering Bachelors Degree from Wayne State University (NOTE: I am presently working on my Masters in Systems Engineering, and will mention more shortly).
The site of my Electrical Engineering Internship in Auburn Hills, MI.
While still attending Wayne State, I served as an Electrical Engineering Intern at Continental (formerly Siemens) assisting the staff engineers in validating and circuit analyzing automotive body controllers. This gave me great insight into the engineering world’s day-to-day operations and rhythm which greatly prepared me for my post-college future.
Wayne State University’s “Old Main” building in Detroit, MI.
I graduated from Wayne State with my Bachelors in Electrical Soon afterward.
For the first ten years, I worked at a series of Automotive Engineering positions, most notably what is now Fiat Chrysler until I received the opportunity of a lifetime.
The Rocket garden at Orbital ATK (Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems).
Orbital ATK (now called Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems as of 2018) was my first foray into the Space Exploration initiative. At this point in my career, I realized that the Automotive industry, although worthy of its place, was not my career passion. Aerospace has been my true calling and I decided to apply for an Electrical Design Engineer IV position at Orbital ATK to get in on the NASA Space Launch System (SLS) Booster Project.
★ Once hired, I worked on system, sensor, and cable designs for SLS boosters.
★ I wrote specifications and requirements for avionics units and flight vehicle sensors and conducted trade research of suppliers for SLS Development Flight Instrumentation (DFI), leading to engineering-efficient transducers and avionics units and production cost savings.
★ I also collected sensor inputs, producing a comprehensive list of sensor measurements for booster and PDR. I personally designed 60+ cable harnesses for the SLS boosters, ensuring cost savings on in-house design and development.
This at the time was my greatest achievement in my career, but my skills and experiences gained there would lend themselves well to my next (and even greater) assignment at United Launch Alliance where I would continue the work on SLS and work on the EFT-1 Flight of NASA’s Orion.
Delta IV Heavy with the first NASA/Lockheed Orion spacecraft ready for the 2014 EFT-1 launch.
After leaving Orbital ATK (again, it’s Northrop Grumman now), I took a Senior Electrical Engineering position at United Launch Alliance (or ULA). To date, this is my favorite and the highest-achieving position. The following is a list of my activities and achievements:
★ I led the technical review and avionics flight-worthy disposition for flight designation EFT-1, NASA’s first Orion Test Flight in 2014, a significant achievement.
★ I led laboratory and pre-flight launch Test Investigations and ensured avionics fail test Root Cause Analysis and Corrective Action implementation, instilling large customer (USAF, NASA) confidence and buy-in.
★ I developed and delivered the Anomaly and Engineering Review Board (ARB/ERB) presentations to present failure analysis and risk mitigations along with design proposals to make Flight-Critical Avionics stand further in line with real operational requirements.
★ I prepared electronic ground tests (OMRS) for NASA’s SLS Second Stage avionics and sensors to verify on-pad functionality and pre-flight checks.
★ I identified Add-On-Instrumentation (AOI) sensor inputs for the SLS Second Stage’s Interface Control Drawing (ICD) and assisted 3D modelers with installation positioning.
★ I analyzed the Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) for SLS Second Stage’s cable harnesses, verifying the identification of all potential fault modes and worst-case failure effects.
★ I wrote Variances for use of existing avionics components, assuring compatible launch vehicle components.
My family and I at a ULA employees day event with “Rocky”, the Delta IV Rocket.
★ I built Customer Confidence for Flight-Critical Delta IV avionics via presentation of in-depth technical knowledge at Avionics reviews and ARB/ERB’s, and Continuous Improvement training, Mission Assurance/Success concepts and Error/Mistake Prevention drills. This engendered customer (USAF, NASA) trust and reliance on the team for future support, technical consult and avionics issue resolution.
★ I addressed avionics control unit quality issues and schedule backlog; Boosted first-time quality and reduced backlog and cycle time of product data review, development, and production processes, improving performance and assuring adherence to the schedule and quality standards.
★ Finally, I provided technical review and flight-worthy dispositions on avionics for Delta II and Delta IV mission flights for the USAF, National Reconnaissance Office, and NASA; this included attending and leading avionics Pedigree Reviews and addressing USAF customer technical questions related to operational flight-worthiness.
With the discontinuation of the Delta avionics system I was working on, I turned for a time to other aerospace projects.
At Sierra Nevada Corporation, I took the role of Systems/Avionics Engineer, I provided consultation and custom-avionics design for advanced proprietary aircraft avionics systems.
★ A highlight of this role was my creation of a custom analog actuator controller, and assuring efficient integration, previous controller option retirement, and substantial cost savings.
★ I collaborated on the avionics team using data protocols such as MIL-STD-1553, Controller-Area-Network (CAN) and ARINC-429, successfully defining avionics communication protocols between units.
★ I also defined sensor technologies and messaging for aircraft fuel systems, and collaborated on aircraft electrical power systems.
Iteknowledgies International is located in Scottsdale, Arizona.
I presently serve as an Electrical Engineering STEM Consultant at Iteknowledgies International for aerospace, power, and industrial process engineering for external corporate clients.
★ I provide consultation for the development and integration of avionics, communications, controls and propulsion for commercial operations for aerospace, power, and industrial process engineering.
★ I also provide advisory assistance with the development of new upstart engineering firms for aerospace, power and industrial process engineering applications.
Rocky Mountain Resumes LLC is a company that I have used for writing resumes and Linkedin Profiles.
As a small offshoot of my Engineering and Technical history, I started a career service called Rocky Mountain Resumes LLC, a venture which serves US Veterans, STEM-professionals, and other professional clients in producing an Ideal Résumé and Ideal LinkedIn Profile to pursue and maintain their Niche Career. I have the Certified Professional Résumé Writer credential from the PARW/CC (or Professional Association Of Résumé Writers & Career Coaches).
★ My greatest specialty includes the use of my Engineering and STEM-background, namely focusing on coaching new Engineering college graduates, mid-career Technical professionals, and US Veterans via experience with having served previously on résumé review and interview panels at past companies.
Again, This Is Just The Beginning!
UCCS campus in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Space Engineering for me is not in the past. It very much part of my life and future.
Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus Rocket line.
Presently, I am enrolled in the Masters of Systems Engineering program at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs with a focus on Spacecraft Avionics and Electrical Subsystem/Component functional development. And along with my STEM Resume efforts, I still have plans/designs on Space Exploration efforts. The “Sci-Fi’s” the limit shall we say.
NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS).
That’s why I’ve been a part of the efforts in Human and Unmanned Space Flight, and I always will be. Whether it’s coaching on the resume for an entry-level engineer or physicist or doing systems engineering design on an advanced spacecraft, one has to help make a difference for the modern Race for Space.
The new space race is commercial! Want to join?
Do you have a career passion? Is there something that you love to do better than a certain salary amount number? Something you’d do for free, but could produce an income and become viable because YOU can offer something unique? Pursue it! Take a class or school program.
Getting to see Shuttle Atlantis at the KSC visitor center was incredible!
I see many professionals going back to obtain advanced degrees later in life not just for paying bills but the love of knowledge. Each place you’re at in your career is a stepping stone to even greater things as long as you find your passion in it and take no (with respect to professionalism) for an answer.
R2-D2 and I at a Star Wars event in Colorado Springs.
For the Great Galactic Space Gimmick, I’m Gimmick Commander Ben Faltinowski! 🙂
© Ben Faltinowski and The Great Galactic Space Gimmick, 2018, authorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Ben Faltinowski and The Great Galactic Space Gimmick with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
DISCLAIMER: The images used here came from various public sources. Other images utilized are strictly for educational purposes and promotion of the aerospace and space sectors. No royalties were collected or sought for this article, and this article is free to the public. It is believed that this constitutes fair use.
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