JESSE R. RODERICK
ROCKETDYNE
Kenmore
32
years of professional experience
Senior Instrumentation, Controls, and Test Professional with 30+ years of hands-on technical experience in instrumentation, industrial automation, electrical systems, calibration, troubleshooting, and specialized test operations. Extensive experience supporting complex industrial and aerospace test facilities, including rocket engine testing, vacuum chamber operations, data acquisition systems, and safety-critical process control systems. Highly experienced in diagnosing and resolving complex electrical, electronic, and instrumentation problems; calibrating precision measurement equipment; troubleshooting 4–20 mA instrumentation loops and PLC analog inputs; configuring data acquisition systems; and supporting Allen-Bradley PLC-based automation. Proven ability to lead technical teams, oversee critical test operations, develop practical solutions to challenging equipment problems, and maintain reliable and safe operating systems. Combines extensive hands-on technical knowledge with leadership experience and the ability to work independently on complex equipment and legacy control systems. Recognized for practical troubleshooting skills, adaptability, and the ability to take on difficult technical challenges.
Work History
Test Engineer / Lead Instrumentation Technician
25 Years 7 Months- Progressively responsible for technical leadership, instrumentation, electrical troubleshooting, calibration, control systems, and rocket engine test operations in a highly specialized aerospace test environment.
- Lead technical teams conducting rocket engine tests in vacuum chambers, ensuring equipment performance and compliance with customer specifications.
- Coordinate test activities and oversee personnel, instrumentation, equipment readiness, and operational procedures.
- Conduct test readiness reviews to verify that all instrumentation, control systems, equipment, and personnel are prepared for safe test operations.
- Review test documentation, technical requirements, and equipment configurations to ensure operational readiness.
- Witness rocket engine firings and vibration testing of test hardware.
- Oversee test setup and instrumentation verification to ensure accurate measurements and reliable test results.
- Monitor critical test operations, identify technical issues, and coordinate troubleshooting to maintain safe and reliable operations.
- Install, configure, calibrate, and troubleshoot a wide range of instrumentation and measurement systems used in aerospace testing.
- Perform pressure transmitter zero and span calibration using precision 4–20 mA current sources and calibration equipment.
- Test and verify PLC analog inputs by simulating 4 mA and 20 mA signals to confirm proper input response and full-scale measurement ranges.
- Troubleshoot 4–20 mA instrumentation loops, signal wiring, and PLC input channels to identify measurement and control system problems.
- Perform instrumentation signal checks and verify proper communication between field devices and control systems.
- Assist in the development, implementation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of Allen-Bradley PLC systems supporting fuel handling and process control operations.
- Diagnose and repair complex electrical and instrumentation systems, including PLCs, motor-operated valves, legacy computer controls, and specialized test equipment.
- Configure and operate data acquisition systems, signal amplifiers, and associated instrumentation.
- Maintain and troubleshoot control and safety systems associated with rocket engine firing operations.
- Calibrate pressure transducers, flow meters, electronic level indicators, and other precision measurement equipment.
- Install and configure load cells to measure rocket engine thrust under varying operating conditions.
- Spot-weld Type K thermocouples directly onto rocket engines for high-temperature measurement and monitoring.
- Troubleshoot, repair, solder, and repin electrical connectors and instrumentation wiring.
- Improve chemical leak detection systems to enhance facility safety and operational reliability.
- Fabricate specialized components, equipment, and instrumentation solutions to meet unique test facility requirements.
- Maintain and troubleshoot specialized equipment and legacy control systems where practical replacement solutions are limited.
- (formerly known as Aerojet Rocketdyne)
- Test Engineering and Technical Leadership
- Instrumentation, Electrical, and Controls
Simulator Technician
3 Months- Maintained three-axis flight simulators and associated hydraulic, electrical, and control systems.
- Calibrated flight controls and utilized load-testing equipment to measure control stick forces.
- Troubleshot and repaired electronic circuit boards using Huntron Tracker and other electronic test equipment.
- Performed soldering and component-level circuit board repairs.
- Diagnosed and repaired power supplies and associated electronic equipment.
- Maintained and troubleshot legacy vacuum-tube electronic systems.
Field Service Engineer
6 Years- Provided field engineering, technical support, installation, commissioning, and troubleshooting services for industrial conveyor systems and specialized mining equipment throughout the United States and internationally.
- Provided on-site and remote technical support, diagnosing and resolving complex electrical, electronic, hydraulic, and control system problems.
- Traveled domestically and internationally to support installation, commissioning, alignment, and startup of large-scale mining conveyor systems.
- Assisted in the development, installation, and implementation of electrical and hydraulic control systems.
- Worked extensively with Allen-Bradley SLC 500 PLCs, DeviceNet smart bearing systems, and specialized control systems incorporating Controlled Start Transmission (CST) technology.
- Performed maintenance operations involving racking 4,160-volt circuit breakers in and out of service to support maintenance and operation of high-voltage motors in mining environments.
- Fabricated and assembled electrical and hydraulic control systems to meet specialized application requirements.
- Performed extensive testing, troubleshooting, and calibration of hydraulic control systems.
- Resolved challenging customer equipment issues and supported improvements in system performance, reliability, and operational efficiency.
Education
- Allen-Bradley PLC Software Training
- Electronics I and II
- Gas Turbine Systems A & C
56 weeks
- Advanced Operator Training
4 weeks
High School Diploma
Skills
Instrumentation Installation
Calibration
and Troubleshooting
4–20 mA Instrumentation Loops and Signal Verification
Pressure Transmitter Zero and Span Calibration
PLC Analog Input Testing and Troubleshooting
Instrument Loop Checks and Verification
Industrial Controls and Process Automation
Allen-Bradley PLC Systems
Electrical and Electronic Troubleshooting
Pressure
Temperature
Flow
and Level Instrumentation
Data Acquisition Systems and Signal Conditioning
Test Equipment Setup
Calibration
and Verification
Control System Installation and Maintenance
Electrical Schematics and Technical Documentation
Hydraulic Electro-Mechanical Systems
Equipment Fabrication
Modification
and Repair
Technical Team Leadership and Test Operations
Safety Systems and Process Control
Instrumentation and Calibration
Pressure Transmitters and Transducers
4–20 mA Instrumentation Loops
Transmitter Zero and Span Calibration
Instrument Loop Checks and Signal Verification
Flow Meters and Electronic Level Indicators
Load Cells and Thrust Measurement Systems
Type K Thermocouples and Temperature Measurement
Instrumentation Calibration and Verification
Signal Conditioning and Amplifiers
Data Acquisition and Measurement Systems
Allen-Bradley PLC-5 and SLC 500
RSLogix
RSView
and RS Trend
PLC Analog Input Troubleshooting
Industrial Process Control Systems
Motor-Operated Valves
DeviceNet
Hydraulic Control Systems
Legacy Computer-Based Control Systems
Control Panel Assembly and Wiring
Electrical Schematic Interpretation
Circuit Board Diagnosis and Component-Level Repair
Electrical Connector Repair
Soldering
and Repinning
High-Voltage Motor and Circuit Breaker Systems
Electrical Test Equipment
Equipment Fabrication and Modification
Dewesoft
RSView
Various Data Acquisition Software Platforms
Microsoft Office
Microsoft Teams
Zoom
DOS and Linux
Affiliations
International Society of Automation (ISA) — Member
Timeline
Test Engineer / Lead Instrumentation Technician
ROCKETDYNE
04.2001 - CurrentRead More
Simulator Technician
SIMULATOR TRAINING, INC.
08.2000 - 11.2000Read More
Field Service Engineer
ROCKWELL AUTOMATION
08.1994 - 08.2000Read More
R.A. Long High School
High School Diploma
Read More
Naval Training Center
from Advanced Operator Training
Read More
Naval Training Center
from Gas Turbine Systems A & C
Read More
Renton Technical College
from Electronics I and II
Read More
Allen-Bradley
from Allen-Bradley PLC Software Training
Read More