Resume

Download Resume in Word format.

Summary of Qualifications

Accomplished engineer skilled in aerospace/mechanical systems design, operation and integration. Experience spans idea generation, technology development, requirements definition and design-operations strategy for world-class organizations.

PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS

  • Systems Engineering
  • Integration/Test Engineering
  • System Training/Troubleshooting
  • Unmanned/Robotic Technologies
  • Electro-mechanical/Mechatronic Technologies
  • Guidance/Navigation/Control
  • Emergency Response Systems
  • Concept/Technology Development
  • Operational Influenced Design Problems
  • Parametric Operations/Design Aides
  • CAD Drafting and Computational Analysis
  • Industrial Design
  • Rapid Prototyping
  • Proposal/Technical Writing and Presentation

SELECTED ACHIEVEMENTS

Hands-on leader with award-winning expertise in converting user requirements into cost-effective, feasible design solutions.

  • Project Leader of award-winning unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) development team; contributed to administrative leadership, requirement generation, system development oversight, and testing phases of projects.
  • Lead mechanical designer in transitioning concept redesign to viable prototype for growth of incubator biomedical company.
  • Awarded for rapid response to resolution of flight work issues impacting NASA flight controllers
  • Co-lead of design team for Earth-Moon cargo transportation system and nextgen Space Station. Interfaced with NASA partners to expand beyond traditional technology development methodologies.

Creative thinker who leverages collaborative approach and in-depth industry knowledge to drive innovation and best practices.

  • Led mission-critical quality and testing initiatives in aerospace industry - awarded for performance.
  • Author/co-author of publications featured at national and international industry conferences on aerospace systems operation and design
  • Effective communicator with proven skill in proposal writing, technical demonstration, presentation and client relations.
  • Innovation enthusiast who considers innovative ideas from core relevant industry or influenced from Industrial/Product design & data visualization.

EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS

Masters of Science in Space Architecture (2005)
University of Houston, Houston, TX
Sasakawa International Center for Space Architecture
2004-05: Team member that designed Earth-Moon cargo transportation system concept supporting NASA’s vision for space exploration. Emphasis on graphics of system and their user/system requirements, design solutions, and design rationale.
2003-04: Project co-lead and technical advisor focused on design approach and systems engineering for next generation space station at request of former NASA astronaut Dr. Bonnie Dunbar. Design focused on life and biological sciences, autonomous features, and ease of assembly.

Bachelors of Science in Aerospace Engineering (2001)
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL
College of Engineering
Comprehensive engineering curriculum personally focused on design methods and feedback-control systems in both required and elective courses. Performed weights/balance and stability/control sizing for a multi-role naval aircraft in senior design team project.

Engineering Tool Experience
AUTOCAD • Pro/Engineer • Unigraphics • IGRIP/UGRIP
C • Scripting • MATLAB • Finite Element Analysis

Professional Memberships

Association of Unmanned Vehicles Systems Intl. (AUVSI, http://www.auvsi.org)

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA, http://www.aiaa.org)

Engineers Without Borders (EWB, http://www.ewb-usa.org, http://www.ewbhouston.org)

DESIGN/DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCE

Test Engineer (2009-'10)
L-3 Communications Unmanned Systems
Carrollton, IL
Test: Coordinated, supervised, and conducted functional, environmental, and performance testing of aircraft and sub-systems. Created all appropriate documentation to plan, execute, and document test efforts. Worked well with test facility personnel to ensure cost-effective testing was performed. Also ensured clear and useful communication of testing progress with project tech lead or designate.

Systems Engineer (2007-'09)
L-3 Communications Unmanned Systems
Carrollton, IL
Systems: Providing requirements specification and engineering leadership for design and integration of aircraft autopilot and related and electro-mechanical systems as well as air vehicle design and requirements verification/validation.
Contributor in process improvement efforts with focus on ISO and CMMI certification. Organized periodic “Lunch’n’Learn” sessions for exchange of technical expertise and industry news exchange within the company.

Founder/Project Administrative and Technical Lead (2000-'01)
University of Illinois - Aerial Robotics Club
Urbana-Champaign, IL
Developed expertise in UAV and ROV technology. Won engineering award for design of autonomous vehicles. Responsible for systems engineering and technical oversight as well as administrative leadership, propsoal writing & and fundraising.

  • Project Co-Lead for Summer/Fall 2001 – Team created a fixed wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with basic guidance/navigation/flight control to prepare an entry for AUVSI International Aerial Robotics Competition.
  • Project Lead for Summer 2000 – Led team creating 2 autonomous vehicles in 8 wks, under budget. Performed systems architecture, technical oversight and conducted trade/feasibility studies.
  • Proposal, fundraising, recruiting, and external relations were performed throughout involvement; University of Illinois Engineering Open House (special student research project exhibition) Place Winner in 2001 (2nd place in Robotics).

Key Design Member (1999-'00)
University of Illinois - AIAA Design/Build/Fly Team
Urbana-Champaign, IL
Member of team achieving 1st pl. in 1997, 6th pl. in 1998, 9th pl. in 1999, 3rd pl. in 2000. Instrumental in design of competition model aircraft through trade and feasibility studies. Created CAD drawings for award winning reports.
University of Illinois Engineering Open House Place winner: 1997, 1998, 1999

Mechanical Design Consultant/Draftsperson (2000)
Cytometry Flow Services Inc.
Urbana-Champaign, IL
Redesigned a Cytometry Flow Sampling Station with Pro/Engineer to improve user experience of the biomedical equipment. Worked with seasoned engineer to create concepts and a physical prototype.

Project/Design Engineer (1999)
Pratt & Whitney
East Hartford, CT
Managed parts distribution for new aircraft engine build/test efforts and designed airflow parts (muffler plate, instrumentation bracket). Created computer simulation for an engine air-bleed system using Unigraphics and NASTRAN/PATRAN software.

Design Engineer (1998)
Lockheed Martin
Orlando, FL
Worked as intern with seasoned engineers to create 3D models of military helicopter parts using Pro/Engineer.

CAD/CAM Draftsman (1995, 1997)
Electro-Die, Inc.
Wood Dale, IL
Created CAD files for custom tool and die work performed by CAM/CNC machines.


OPERATIONS EXPIERENCE

Robotics Analyst (2002-'07)
United Space Alliance (NASA contractor)
Houston, TX
Developed clearance and configuration analysis products with CAD and analysis software tools for NASA Space Shuttle and ISS robotic arms. Dynamics analyses are conducted to determine loading and motion on robotic arm. Performed duties as ISO-9001/AS-9100 representative as well process improvement efforts for mass properties analysis tool.
Certifications: Robotics Kinematics and Dynamics Analyst
Awards:

  • Worksite safety award.
  • On The Spot Award – Received while still in training for quality, real-time communication with team to advance flight work efficiently while learning and analyzing new issues as they appeared.
  • Performance Award – Received for having led efforts to certify an updated mass properties analysis tool, creating a test matrix and interfacing with flight operations customers for quality assurance.

Volunteer Firefighter (2002-'07)
Nassau Bay Volunteer Fire Department
Nassau Bay, TX
Protecting life and property through firefighting, search/rescue and supporting efforts in teams under dangerous conditions. Training emphasize teamwork, safety, design of tools/equipment, best practices, mission priorities and command/control/communication/computers (C3/C4) system for incidents local to regional scale (National Incident Management System, NIMS). Former department administrative officer while also “learning the ropes” of the service.

Research Assistant (2001)
University of Illinois
Urbana-Champaign, IL
Conducted experiments on next generation air-conditioning/HVAC system for a Mechanical Engineering Ph.D. candidate. Used instrumentation monitoring software (HpVee/labVIEW) to interpret and adjust system performance characteristics. Also used Visual Basic and Excel for data transfer. Hands-on work in a lab environment.


PUBLICATIONS

National Space Society (NSS) International Space Development Conference (5/2005)
Lunar Development and Exploration: A Simple, Long Lasting and Functionally Adaptable Architecture, D. Barker, S. Mody, C. Kanver

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) 1st Space Exploration Conference (1/2005)
An Overview of Space Robotic Operations Principles for Human Spaceflight and Exploration, S. Mody, H. Bussey (AIAA 2005-2545)

AIAA Space 2004 Conference (9/2004)
The Life and Biological Sciences Facility: An Evolution in Space Station Design, D. Barker, S. Mody, C. Kanver, D. Whalen (AIAA 2004-5979)

To arrange an interview, please email me at contact@shalinmody.com