Aircraft Systems Engineer with 20+ Years Experience

Thomas Clisham

Las Vegas, NV

Professional Summary

Experienced Aircraft Systems Engineer with 20+ years of experience in the design, development,

integration, and testing of aircraft systems, including avionics, electrical power distribution, multi-

purpose displays, weapons, fuel/ECS, and engine propulsion. Proven ability to lead cross-functional

teams, manage aircraft systems infrastructure, and ensure compliance with industry regulations (FAA).

Seeking a challenging role to further develop expertise and contribute to the development of safe and

reliable aircraft systems.

Willing to relocate: Anywhere

Work Experience

sUAV Drone Pilot/UAS Systems Engineer

Independent Contractor-Las Vegas, NV

May 2020 to Present

* Responsible for controlling the flight and

operation of a multi-rotor P17 FPV

Quadcopter Drone for aerial photography,

videography, property inspections, virtual

tours, and aerial surveys.

* Conducted pre-flight drone inspections and

safety tests to ensure safe operation.

* Responsible for pre-flight planning and risk

assessment including airspace restrictions,

weather conditions and mission objectives.

*. Used the P17 FPV Quadcopter Drone Remote

Ground Control System during flight

navigation to monitor drone performance

and making necessary adjustments to ensure

safe flight and maximize utilization of the

drone’s capabilities.

* Adhered to FAA sUAV (small Unmanned

Aerial Vehicle) regulations under Part 107.

* Responsible for collecting data using the

onboard camera and sensors.

* Processed and analyzed collected data for

quality, accuracy, and relevance.

* Responsible for performing routine post-

flight inspections and maintenance; ensuring

safety and drone longevity.

* Responsible for the inspection of the frame,

propeller, motors, and camera for damage

and debris.

* Maintained and repaired drone electrical,

electronic, mechanical components,

equipment and systems to ensure proper

functionality

Semi-Retired

Planned Career Break-Las Vegas, NV

January 2015 to May 2020

# Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

Took a career break to deal with a personal health and a family issue.

* Utilized time to update sUAV Drone Pilot

skills and gain familiarity with Drone

Photography, Mapping, Surveying, and

Inspections.

* Became familiar with Drone Systems and

Payloads, including multispectral, thermal,

and LiDAR sensors. Gained knowledge of

Aerial Infrared Thermography.

Aircraft Systems Verification and Validation Engineer 4

Northrop Grummam-Palmdale, CA

June 1999 to November 2014

Responsible for software requirements verification and validation of all system and sub-system

functionality tests to ensure individual components function correctly, meet their functional requirements

and align with customer needs using

DOORS (Requirements Management and Traceability Tool); for a United States Air Force classified

Unmanned Aerial

Vehicle (UAV) developmental program including Ground Control Stations (GCS).

Avionics Engineer

Continental Airlines-Los Angeles, CA

March 1988 to June 1992

* Developed Aircraft Avionics/Electrical System Integration schematics, wiring diagrams, wire harnesses,

and installation drawings for systems upgraded modifications to existing aircraft, (727, 737, 747 and

DC-10).

* Prepared technical documentation in support of Aircraft Interior/Cabin Upgraded Modifications including

Interior

Lighting, Galley, and

Electrical/ Electronic Draftsman

Jade Corporation-Southampton, PA

December 1984 to June 1987

Technical responsibilities in support of IBM Semiconductor Bonding Equipment including:

* Design and development of schematics, wiring diagrams, equipment panel layout, interconnection wire

harness and cable assembly drawings.

* Layout of printed circuit board schematics, logic diagrams, art master tape-up, silk screen, fabrication,

and assembly drawings.

* Layout and detailing of electrical control enclosures and panels used in automated production of

Semiconductor

Bonding of I.C.

Chip Manufacturing.

Mechanical Draftsman

* Layout and detailing of electrical control enclosures and panels.

* Electro-Mechanical Packaging and Design.

Mechanical Draftsman

Budd Company (Railcar Division)-Philadelphia, PA

February 1978 to July 1982

Technical responsibilities in support of Passenger Rail Car Manufacturing including:

* Developed detailed and assembly drawings from mechanical structural design drawings and

specifications.

* Developed sheet metal assembly and detailed drawings of control cabinets, enclosures and equipment.

* Development and layout of electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, harness and cable assembly

drawings for Passenger

Rail Car electrical control systems for Amtrak Train and Subway Cars.

* Knowledge of Production and Manufacturing assembly line environment.

* Knowledge of Sequence of Operations for Production Builds.

* Familiarity with Reading and Interpreting Mechanical Blueprints.

Aircraft Software Requirements Engineer 3 (4 Years)

Performed duties for B-2 Stealth Bomber Aircraft Program including:

* Developed avionics software requirements, in an embedded real-time environment for a multi-purpose

display system

(Glass Cockpit

Display); including avionics control and sub-system status monitoring of Tactical Data Link (Link-16) and

Smart Bomb

Rack Assembly (SBRA) system integration and functionality utilizing CEI CMM Level 5 Software

Development Processes.

* Provided technical support to Software Developers, participated in design reviews, supported software

and flight test, assisted with system integration and resolving discrepancies.

* Generated test and discrepancy reports.

Aircraft Field Test Liaison Engineer

Entertainment Systems.

* Evaluated Avionics/Electrical discrepancies and developed repairs on aircraft avionics and electrical

systems for both wide body and narrow body fleet (727, 737, 747, DC-10, Airbus), in support of field

maintenance, vendor, and hanger check lines.

* Coordinated/Interfaced with aircraft equipment component installers, suppliers, and FAA personnel to

plan and execute

Installation/

Subsystem Test Engineer 4

Air Vehicle System

Responsible for software requirements testing of system and sub-systems for a United States Air Force

classified unmanned vehicle development program.

* Developed and executed test procedures for sub-systems that included: Electrical Power Distribution,

Fuel/ECS, and

Engine Propulsion.

* Executed, tested, analyzed and justified subsystem level requirements in a laboratory environment

combining Hardware

- in - the Loop

(HTL) software linked to hardware models and flight control simulations.

* Assisted with Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) to determine the Reliability, Maintainability and

Safety of the

Aircraft System Design to determine potential failures and resulting effects.

* Utilized windows, Microsoft word, excel and DOORS (Requirements Management Tool) to create test

procedures and generate accurate test reports.

Aircraft Software Requirements Test Engineer

Performed duties for B-2 Stealth Bomber Aircraft Program including:

* Developed Satellite Communication (SATCOM) software requirements testing of system designs and

procedures that verified avionics software requirements, system integration and software code.

* Created software system trouble reports (SSTRs) that revealed software anomalies during testing

phase.

Education

Certificate in Aerospace Engineering

University of Kansas-San Diego, CA

May 2005 to May 2005

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems

Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineer Electrical

California State University Long Beach-Long Beach, CA

January 1994 to December 1998

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Drexel University-Philadelphia, PA

September 1980 to June 1985

Studied Structural Engineering

Skills

• Familiar with 737, 747, DC10 and Air Bus A320 Aircraft. Mechanical Engineering

• DO-178 Aircraft Certification Processes Writing Technical Documents including Work Instructions

• Assembly Drawings from requirements

• Bills of Materials (BOM)

• Reading and Interpreting Mechanical Blue Prints Knowledge of Production/Manufacturing Assembly

Processes.

• UAV Payloads, Communications, Control Stations, Architectural Development and Life Cycle Costs.

• Aircraft Environmental Control Systems (ECS) Aircraft Cabin Systems Aircraft Cabin Lighting

• Design and development of Wire Harness and Cable Assemblies Functional Requirements

• Problem solving Sales training Conflict resolution techniques Customer Service Safety Organization

• Knowledge of Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) MATLAB, Python, Java, JavaScript, C, C++

• Positive Reinforcement Command Training Behavior Modification Dog Training Innovative skills

• Ability to work under pressure Multitasking Organization skills Outgoing Time Management

• Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Windows Understanding of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Regulations

• Translating user Requirements into System Requirements

• Fault Tree Analysis Techniques Aerospace Validation and Verification Standards for Airlines

Communication skills

• Direction Taking Ground Control Stations (GCS) MIL-STD-1553B/188/184 Satellite Communication

(SATCOM)

• Aircraft System Safety System Integration Lab (SIL) Avionics Displays Weapon Systems

• DOORS Requirement Management and Traceability Tool. Aircraft Avionics. Electrical Software

Testing.

• Federal Aviation Administration FARs Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Fuel/ECS Systems

• Electrical Software Requirements Validation & Verification. Interpreting Schematics Wiring Diagrams

• System Safety Standards for Airlines. Aircraft Display User Interface (UI)

• Familiar with Manufacturing Processes Electromechanical Panel Assemblies Mechanical Assembly

Drawings

• Efficiency Detail Oriented Collaboration Improvement Positive Attitude Marketing

• Technical Documentation Knowledge of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) in accordance with 14 CFR

Part 39.

• Six Sigma Process Improvement Electro-Mechanical Packaging and Design

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