Collin R Pecora
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
Work History
Research Engineer
Army Research Laboratory
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD
04.2009 - Current
- Lead engineer for the U.S. Army Research Laboratory's Vertical Impulse Measurement Facility (VIMF). I designed experimental plans and procedures and supervised the execution of experimental programs related to research in the phenomenology of buried blast and the development of protection strategies against buried threats.
- Designed and implemented a data acquisition and control system for the sensor suite at the VIMF. The fiber optics-based data acquisition system significantly reduced signal to noise ratio.
- Designed a novel experimental fixture and optical tracking procedures to evaluate the performance of candidate energy absorbing material for use as under-body armor.
- Contributed as a member of a team to the development of standardized test methodology for evaluating the response of material to buried blast loading.
- Collaborated with the Navy in experimental programs designed to correlate the performance of non-ideal energetic formulations detonated while confined in water and soil.
- Developed unique computer vision tools to track the ballistic motion of targets subjected to energetic events.
- Conducted experiments to determine the viability of energy scaling methods for in-soil buried explosives. Designed and supervised research into the phenomenology of high strain rate loading of inhomogeneous media subjected to energetic loading.
- Subject Matter Expert to STANAG 4569.
- Contributed to the development of standardized practices for evaluating tactical vehicles subjected to buried blast used by the Army Test Center (ATC).
- Developed enhancements to ARBL TR02555
Test Engineer
ATAMIR WSMR
Las Cruces, NM
09.2007 - 03.2009
- Test Engineer at WSMR’s Joint Directed Energy Test Site (JDETS), Supported counter IED system design and testing as part of $100M Department of Defense contract. Designed, assessed, and executed directed energy system prototype testing plans in support of effort to develop means for military vehicles to defeat improvised explosive devices (IED), including directed energy systems utilizing such energy as microwaves, lasers, and electricity.
- Developed test plans in alignment with and specifically testing system requirements, performing and coordinating all aspects of test execution, data collection, and results analysis.
- Managed test plan specifications such as instrumentation, environment configuration, and parameter monitoring.
- Prepared documentation and communicated testing outcomes.
- Designed a fiber optic break wire system to deliver highly accurate positional data within extreme RF environments, specifically between test systems and hot bridge wire targets.
- Developed initial operating requirements for JDETS toward establishment of test track design, infrastructure requirements, and logistical planning.
- Instrumental in the development of three systems now successfully deployed in the field.
Engineer Assistant
National Radio Astronomy Observatory
Socorro, NM
04.2003 - 09.2007
- Served on the $1B Atacama Large Millimeter / Submillimeter Array (ALMA) project, an international collaboration spanning North America, Europe, and Japan to build an array of 50+ radio telescopes leveraging millimeter / submillimeter wavelengths to better understand cosmic origins; designed electronic housing and enclosures for the 12 meter telescopes, serving on a 20-member backend team.
- Developed designs that successfully reduced part count requirements and substantially improved air flow within the digital and analog back-end racks.
- Created and managed all CAD files for electronic housing / enclosures of the digital backend rack.
EOD technician
US Army
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD
04.1994 - 08.2002
- Performed disarmament and disposal of conventional and unconventional explosive ordnance including chemical, nuclear, and improvised explosive devices (IED), rendering devices safe and conducting as-needed demolition.
- Served as a consultant on energetic material testing for munitions.
- Directly assisted the US Secret Service in planning and execution of the VIP protection mission.
- Instructed both civilian and military personnel in unexploded ordnance (UXO) safety practices.
Infantryman
US Army
01.1990 - 04.1994
- Scout/Sniper team leader, dismounted infantryman
Timeline
Research Engineer
Army Research Laboratory
04.2009 - Current
Test Engineer
ATAMIR WSMR
09.2007 - 03.2009
Engineer Assistant
National Radio Astronomy Observatory
04.2003 - 09.2007
EOD technician
US Army
04.1994 - 08.2002
Infantryman
US Army
01.1990 - 04.1994