Software Development Embedded

Willie Benjamin Holmes

Previously Held Secret and Top-Secret Clearance (currently Inactive), Eligible for Reactivation

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY:

Engineering leader with years of experience in systems integration, testing, and certification across aerospace, defense, and telecommunications.

Specialized in safety-critical systems, avionics, and weapon system integration, with proven expertise in DO-178C/DO-254 certification, MIL-STD-882E safety analysis, and ARP 4754/4761 compliance.

Skilled at bridging software, electrical, and systems engineering disciplines to deliver mission-ready solutions. Adept in embedded software development, Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing, and lifecycle support for advanced defense platforms, including rotary-wing aircraft, bombers, naval systems, and nuclear-certified weapon delivery systems.

Collaborative communicator, experienced working with U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, certification authorities, and cross-functional engineering teams.

Previously held Secret and Top-Secret clearances (eligible for reactivation).

CORE COMPETENCIES & TECHNICAL SKILLS:

Systems & Software Engineering:

Requirements Development, Traceability & Verification

Software Development (C, C++, Ada, FORTRAN, Pascal, Visual Basic, PowerShell)

Real-Time Operating Systems: VxWorks, Integrity, Linux, Unix, Solaris, Windows

Integration, Simulation & HIL Testing

Software/Hardware Certification: DO-178C, DO-254, MIL-STD-882E, ARP 4754/4761

Tools: DOORS, IBM Rational Rhapsody, Matlab, Git, Bitbucket, Atlassian, JIRA

Electrical & Embedded Systems

Embedded Programming (C++11/Linux) with CAN, I C, SPI, UART protocols

Hardware/Firmware Development and Debugging

System Architecture & Electrical Hardware Analysis

Networking: TCP/IP, ATM, Frame Relay, OSPF, RIP

Weapon Delivery Systems, Missile Systems, Avionics Integration

Mechanical & Aerospace Systems

Flight Test Planning, Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs), Safety Assessments

Flight Simulator Re-architecture & Real-time Emulation

Satellite Communication & Orbital Communication Analysis

Space Station Test Environment Integration

System Safety, Airworthiness Certification & Compliance

Leadership & Collaboration

Cross-functional Team Leadership (IPTs, SMEs, Government Stakeholders)

Design Reviews, Program Reviews, Certification Audits

Process Improvement & Compliance Accuracy Enhancement

Full Lifecycle Support for Safety-Critical Systems

EDUCATION:

MBA, Strategic Management – Le Tourneau University

M.S., Technology Management – West Coast University

B.S., Computer Science – Chapman University

Certificate, Python programming and AI – University of Texas at Austin

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Bell Helicopter – Fort Worth, TX Aug 2021 – Jul 2024

Software Airworthiness Engineer (Contractor)

Supported software certification and airworthiness compliance for safety-critical avionics and mission systems in accordance with DO-178C (software) and DO-254 (hardware).

Conducted gap analyses and provided recommendations to improve testing methodologies, tool qualification, and certification processes, enhancing both accuracy and efficiency.

Collaborated with Integrated Product Teams (IPTs), certification authorities, and U.S. Army stakeholders to resolve technical issues, review compliance artifacts, and ensure operational readiness for rotary-wing platforms.

Performed technical evaluations of tool qualification packages, system-level objectives, and verification data to confirm adherence to regulatory and contractual requirements.

Contributed to design reviews, Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs), and compliance audits, ensuring that safety-critical standards and program milestones were met.

Hebco Inc. – Oklahoma City, OK Apr 2021 – Aug 2021

Senior Systems Engineer

Supported Boeing bomber and military aircraft avionics programs, providing system-level engineering analysis and technical guidance.

Evaluated hardware–software interactions to verify system performance against safety and functional requirements.

Participated in peer reviews, technical interchange meetings, and customer collaboration sessions, ensuring requirements traceability and compliance across development and integration phases.

Assisted in preparation of system documentation and compliance artifacts in support of certification and design assurance activities.

L3 Harris – South Hampton, MA. Dec 2020 – Apr 2021

Embedded Software Engineer

Designed, developed, and sustained Periscope and Optronic sensor software systems for naval defense platforms.

Programmed in C++11/Linux with low-level communication protocols, including CAN, I C, SPI, and UART, ensuring reliable hardware-to-software integration.

Conducted system debugging, unit testing, and hardware validation to identify and resolve critical integration issues.

Supported software updates, bug fixes, and feature enhancements, maintaining system reliability and alignment with mission-critical requirements.

The Boeing Company – Oklahoma City, OK Mar 2002 – Dec 2020

Senior Systems Integration and Test Engineer

Directed requirements development, test planning, and verification by deriving test cases and validation steps from high-level system specifications to ensure adherence to stringent safety and performance standards.

Led integration and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing for the Boeing B-2 weapon delivery platform, overseeing simulation activities and ensuring full operational readiness and safety compliance.

Guided the migration of nuclear weapon delivery software from Seattle to Oklahoma City, maintaining strict compliance with nuclear certification requirements and ensuring uninterrupted mission capability.

Drove software modernization efforts, including the transition from JOVIAL to C++ and the migration of the Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) from VxWorks to Integrity RTOS.

Supported the design, development, installation, and deployment of weapon system software, ensuring continuous certification against evolving defense and nuclear standards.

Performed electrical hardware analysis and troubleshooting for missile and weapon delivery platforms, supporting verification, safety compliance, and mission readiness.

Collaborated with the U.S. Air Force, certification authorities, and program stakeholders through design reviews, Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs), and program reviews, serving as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) on nuclear weapons systems.

Utilized IBM Rational Rhapsody, Matlab, MIL-STD-1553 messaging protocols, and automated scripting tools to perform integration, quality assurance, and compliance testing.

Delivered full lifecycle support for safety-critical systems, including firmware analysis, requirements traceability, verification planning, and system deployment.

Ensured all testing, integration, and safety activities adhered to DO-178C / DO-254 software and hardware assurance guidelines and MIL-STD-882E system safety standards.

Earlier Career Experience (condensed, details available with request)

Nortel Networks – Senior Engineer: Established VoIP global support lab, performed hardware/software troubleshooting, and taught Transmission Technology at DeVry.

Hughes Training Inc. (Raytheon) – Senior Software Engineer: Re-architected real-time flight simulator components; developed Visual Basic and GUI-based test tools.

AT&T – Contractor: Conducted system analysis and verification of CCS/SS7 switching software.

MCI (WorldCom) – Programmer Analyst: Designed ISDN and wireless network management applications.

Boeing/McDonnell Douglas – Senior Engineer: Integrated Space Station test environments, conducted orbital communication analysis, and developed DoD-compliant software engineering tools.

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