Training Engineer
Resume:
Dennis Wightman, Ph.D.
Marathon, Florida 33050
***************@*****.***
SUMMARY
• Over 30 years of experience supporting Federal projects with in depth knowledge of DoD and DHS acquisition process
• Senior level government research management experience
• Systems engineering lifecycle and process development skill set including requirements development and elicitation
• Extensive human systems integration & ergonomics experience, with emphasis on simulation, training, aviator performance, personnel integration, and nuclear detection
• Great team player with management and team leadership skills
• Very strong verbal and written communications skills
• Seasoned scientific professional with extensive publications
EDUCATION:
• University of South Florida, Ph.D., Industrial/Organizational Psychology
• University of South Florida, M.A., Psychology
• University of Central Florida, B.A., Psychology
WORK EXPERIENCE:
2011 – Present Chipton Ross (Boeing)
Systems Engineer/Senior Ergonomics Engineer
Under contract with Chipton Ross, Incorporated, I support the Boeing Research and Technology Ergonomics program at the Boeing Corporation. I am conducting a research program examining the role that ergonomics and worker safety issues play in the design and development of manufacturing and assembly processes. This program addresses ergonomics issues in the manufacturing process to improve worker safety and increase productivity. I am also engaged in a program of research into data visualization to develop a common data analytic model for evaluating production system information in order to identify the causal factors that lead to worker injuries. In addition I am working on digital human modeling efforts to define ergonomically effective approaches in manufacturing processes across the Boeing enterprise.
2008 – Present ManTech International Corporation
Senior Human Factors Engineer/Subject Matter Expert
Provide systems engineering and human factors subject matter expertise support across all product areas for the Systems Engineering Support Program (SESP) for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO). Provided training for the SESP staff on the DHS acquisition process (Directive 102-01) and systems engineering lifecycle. Guide engineering staff in the development of end user involvement and participation in the definition of system requirements. Develop measures of effectiveness for and contribute to the definition of analyses of alternatives for mission needs and operational requirements. Advise and consult on human factors and ergonomics considerations for proposed and existing radiation detection systems. Engage stakeholders in the definition of valid systems requirements. Wrote the strategy for engaging the commercial sector’s participation in DNDO acquisition programs.
1997 – 2005 U. S. Army Research Institute for Behavioral and Social Sciences.
Chief - Supervisory Research Psychologist
Served as Chief of the Rotary-Wing Aviation Research Unit of the Army Research Institute for the Social and Behavioral Sciences (ARI), the Army agency charged with conducting personnel and training research and development. I had administrative and technical oversight for a program of human factors, aviator performance, flight training and simulation research. I exercised complete responsibility for planning, organizing, and directing research assignments for the research unit. Areas of responsibility included research program management and coordination, program development, conduct of research and studies, program planning, representing ARI, supervising personnel, and contract monitoring.
1989 – 1997 U. S. Army Research Institute for Behavioral and Social Sciences.
Team Leader - Research Psychologist
Responsible for planning and conducting complex research concerning aircrew performance and training for the ARI Rotary Wing Aviation Research Unit. Monitored and directed the simulator engineering and support staff in defining simulator conditions for experiments. Directed the activity of a team of research psychologists, engineers, and computer scientists in the execution of the program. Wrote technical reports and delivered briefings to professional and management groups. Presented invited papers and addresses to conferences concerning research results and future plans.
1984 – 1989 Naval Air Warfare Center, Training Systems Division
Engineering Psychologist
Served as director of the behavioral research program of the Navy’s Visual Technology Research Simulator (VTRS). Directed human factors research, development, and consultation for training systems in the Human Factors Division of the Naval Training Systems Center. Tasks performed included planning, execution, and interpretation of training systems design and instructional research. Authored, co-authored, or directed the authorship of technical reports and journal articles. I made presentations of research results. I worked with fleet pilots, academic researchers, researchers from other government agencies and engineers concerning the research, design, and employment of training systems and simulators.
I served as a consultant concerning the design and evaluation of training systems being acquired by the Navy.
1980 – 1984 Naval Air Warfare Center, Training Systems Division
Research Psychologist
Responsible for the behavioral science research program on the Navy's Visual Technology Research Simulator (VTRS). Planned, developed, and implemented experiments designed to identify critical factors of visual displays and instructional features for flight training simulators. Made presentations concerning technical information and research findings in order to facilitate the transition of technology in order to solve applied problems. Conducted field assessments and evaluations of training programs and systems.
1978 – 1980 Naval Air Warfare Center, Training Systems Division
Research Psychologist
Conducted research using the Navy’s Visual Technology Research Simulator. Planned, developed, and implemented experiments designed to identify critical factors of visual displays and instructional features for flight training simulators
MILITARY EXPERIENCE:
U.S. Army: 1966-1969 E-5 Personnel Management Specialist
TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Fort Rucker, Alabama Branch, 1990 and 1991
Troy State University, Fort Rucker, Alabama Branch, 1992
University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida (adjunct), 1989
Courses Taught:
Basic Psychology, Statistics, Research Methods, Industrial Psychology, Group Dynamics,
Abnormal Psychology, Human Factors, Training and Development, Applied Psychology, Simulation and Training Systems, Field Research Methods, and Program Evaluation.
Sample Publications (complete list available on request)
Wightman, Dennis C. & Lintern, Gavan (1985), Part-task training for tracking and manual control. In Cooke, Nancy J. & Salas, Eduardo (Ed.), Best of Human Factors: Thirty Classic Contributions to Human Factors/Ergonomics Science and Engineering. Santa Monica, CA: Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, 2008.
Salas, Eduardo, Wilson, Katherine A, Burke, C. Shawn & Wightman, Dennis C. (2006), Does Crew Resource Management Training Work? An Update, an Extension, and Some Critical Needs, Human Factors, 48, 392-412.
Kruk, Ron, Wightman, Dennis C., & Howse, William. (2000). System and research in networked tactical training. In Flight simulation - The next decade; Proceedings of the Conference, London, United Kingdom; 10-12 May 2000. pp. 28.1-28.12. 2000
Reviewer for:
Human Factors (the journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society)
Military Psychology (journal of Division 19 of the American Psychological Association)
International Journal of Aviation Psychology
MEMBERSHIPS
Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES)
International Council on Systems Engineering (ICOSE)
Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)
Program Management Institute (PMI)
TRAINING
Defense Acquisition University (Currently DAWIA ACQ Level I equivalent for Systems Engineering and Science and Technology Management course listing provided upon request)
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