Nathan Vaughn

Nathan Vaughn

Product Engineer at Fisher Controls

Hi, I'm Nathan Vaughn. I have a degree in aerospace engineering with a minor in non-destructive evaluation from Iowa State University. I've worked professionally and personally on a variety of projects, from building my own high-performance computing cluster to writing software for commercial aircraft avionics. I'm a big fan of aviation, building computers, and also volunteer my time with robotics competitions for high-school students.

Work Experience

  • Product Engineer
    Aug 2022 - Present
    I am working as a Product Engineer in the Special Products Group of Fisher Controls in Marshalltown, Iowa. I am responsible for answering and providing engineering input to inquiries from sales and manufacturing around the world for a number of Fisher sliding stem product lines. Additionally, I work on engineering orders that are outside the scope of Fisher’s normal catalog, which often contain unique material, temperature, and/or pressure requirements.
  • Software Engineer
    Jan 2021 - Aug 2022

    I worked as a Python developer within Bell’s Innovation group, primarily focusing on fleet simulation and DevOps.

    • Rearchitected a SQL server data analysis workflow with Databricks and Azure Batch to save over $30k annually
    • Automated testing, static code analysis, and deployments with Azure Pipelines
    • Developed a process for repeatable mass deployments of mission software onto air-launched drones
    • Participated in test events and provided on-site customer support for mission-critical software
    • Simplified Python code distribution and re-usability using JFrog Artifactory
    • Volunteered with the Bell Vertical Robotics Competition for high-school students as the lead software engineer writing control software, documentation, and answering student questions
  • Software Engineering Intern
    Jun 2020 - Aug 2020
    • Performed systems tests of a new Citation Latitude simulator before and during customer acceptance to ensure simulator correctly replicated the behavior of the real aircraft
    • Researched alternative software to generate large certification documents and developed a proof-of-concept in LaTeX for greater engineering efficiency
  • Part-Time Solidworks Modeling
    Jan 2020 - Mar 2020
    • Modelled a prototype light guide apparatus for a research experiment in the Physics department
    • See Projects for more details
  • Systems/Software Engineering Co-op
    May 2019 - Jan 2020
    • Collaborated on a diverse Agile scrum team as part of the software design process for Military Avionics Fusion Flight Management Systems
    • Developed and maintained tests for Ada avionics software to ensure DO-178B certification conformity
    • Worked with requirements and traceability from high-level system functionality down to software code
    • Prototyped improvements to the KC-46 Remote Vision System, including developing a working air-to-air refueling scale model with a 5-axis robot
    • Co-invented a laser projection system to calibrate stereoscopic cameras (US11360375B1)
  • Residential Direct Load Control Intern
    May 2018 - July 2018
    • Inspected power supply control units at customer sites across Southeast Iowa
    • Provided remote support and traveled independently to customer sites representing power company
    • Developed new software independently to generate GPS coordinates from a list of customer addresses to reduce time spent driving
  • Engineering Intern
    May 2017 - July 2017
    • Converted existing 767 Large Display System flight deck retrofit into a brand-new supplemental type certificate for 757 aircraft
    • Updated old drawings to improve conciseness, maintainability, and readability
    • Engineered new parts and installations and drafted technical drawings
  • Programming Intern
    Feb 2016 - July 2016
    • Developed custom applications for engineering automation using Inventor API
    • Automated bill of material creation process to reduce engineering time by 192 times
    • Setup and configured new Autodesk Vault Pro server
  • Kennel Tech
    June 2015 - July 2016
    I was responsible for all cleaning tasks along with feeding and caring for the dogs

Skills

Skills

  • Autodesk Vault
  • Autodesk Inventor
  • SOLIDWORKS
  • 3D Printing
  • Engineering
  • Documentation
  • MATLAB
  • Python
  • SQL
  • Docker
  • Apache
  • HTML/CSS
  • Markdown
  • Git/Subversion
  • High-Performance Computing
  • Linux/Bash
  • Windows
  • Autodesk Vault
  • Autodesk Inventor
  • SOLIDWORKS
  • 3D Printing
  • Engineering
  • Documentation
  • MATLAB
  • Python
  • SQL
  • Docker
  • Apache
  • HTML/CSS
  • Markdown
  • Git/Subversion
  • High-Performance Computing
  • Linux/Bash
  • Windows

Certifications

Clubs

  • IT Manager
    Aug 2017 - June 2019
    • Implemented IT asset tracking and management software
    • Administered and managed Windows Server for team which ran Autodesk Vault
    • Devised new backup system for Autodesk Vault server
    • Coordinated with university IT to implement new wiki software for the team to help improve collaboration and knowledge transfer
    • Rebuilt website from scratch with new content management system software to improve speed, maintainability, and user experience
    • Created helpdesk and provided hardware and software support for team computers
    • Worked with university IT to create, deploy, and update standardized Windows images for team computers with SCCM
  • Mechanical Team Member
    Jan 2018 - May 2018
    • Developed airbrake system to allow rocket to precisely reach target altitude
    • Used computational fluid dynamics to evaluate potential airbrake performance at different altitudes, velocities, and deployment angles
    • Developed drafting standards and drafted mechanical components
  • Seats and Seatbelts Project Lead
    Aug 2016 - Aug 2017
    • Designed seatbelt anchorages and ran finite element analysis to meet race regulations
    • Communicated with numerous companies to secure seatbelt donation
    • Developed custom bracket assembly to convert donated office chairs into seats for the vehicle

Projects

Education

  • B.S. in Aerospace Engineering
    2016 - 2020
    • 3.17 GPA with 152 credit hours
    • B.S. in Aerospace Engineering
    • Minor in Non-Destructive Evaluation
  • General Studies
    2014 - 2016
    21 Credit hours in English, History, Government, and Sociology
  • Dripping Springs High School

    2012 - 2016
    • 4.0 GPA.
    • I was involved in band and robotics.

Contact