Nicholas Baker
Electrical & Computer Engineering Student | Senior Instrumentation & Controls Technician
Sandy Hook,VA
Summary
Seasoned instrumentation and controls professional with over 15 years of technical leadership in electronics maintenance and industrial controls. Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering while applying engineering principles in healthcare and research facilities. Expertise in designing, commissioning, troubleshooting, and optimizing complex control systems for reliable, high-performance solutions.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
6
6
Certificates
Work History
Senior Instrumentation & Controls Technician
University of Virginia Facilities Management
Charlottesville, Virginia
09.2021 - Current
- Promoted from Automation & Controls Technician to Senior Instrumentation & Controls Technician in recognition of technical expertise, leadership, and performance supporting mission-critical facilities.
- Supported enterprise Building Automation Systems (BAS) serving hundreds of buildings across mission-critical healthcare, research, academic, and administrative facilities.
- Troubleshoot, commission, and optimize electrical, electronic, and HVAC control systems supporting 24/7 mission-critical facilities.
- Configure and integrate BACnet field devices across multi-controller enterprise networks, performing controller programming and validating sequences of operation through functional testing and commissioning.
- Resolve complex controls and communications failures using advanced system diagnostics, calibration, and root cause analysis, minimizing downtime in mission-critical environments.
- Collaborated with engineers, contractors, and project managers on multi-million-dollar capital improvement projects modernizing campus control systems.
- Engineered and implemented BAS solutions for complex facilities, optimizing wireless network architecture, controller integration, and communication pathways.
- Mentor technicians by providing technical guidance, troubleshooting support, and best practices for commissioning, diagnostics, and controls engineering.
Senior Electronics Maintenance Supervisor
U.S. Army (Virginia Army National Guard)
Blackstone, Virginia
07.2009 - Current
- Lead maintenance planning, quality assurance, and equipment readiness programs supporting mission-critical electronic and communications systems.
- Supervise 36 Soldiers responsible for diagnosing, troubleshooting, repairing, calibrating, and sustaining complex electronic, communications security (COMSEC), and calibration equipment.
- Manage maintenance priorities, technical documentation, supply accountability, and repair resources to maximize equipment availability and unit operational readiness.
- Develop Soldiers through technical instruction, hands-on training, and mentorship, strengthening technical proficiency, leadership development, and maintenance effectiveness.
- Ensure maintenance operations comply with Army technical manuals, Department of Defense regulations, and National Security Agency COMSEC requirements while maintaining quality assurance standards.
- Progressed through increasingly responsible technical and leadership assignments supporting electronic maintenance, communications security (COMSEC), calibration, weapons systems, and air defense operations.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Electrical & Computer Engineering
12-2028
- Pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Electrical & Computer Engineering with a Mathematics minor.
- Expected graduation: December 2028.
- Applying engineering coursework directly to enterprise Building Automation Systems, industrial controls, instrumentation, and mission-critical facility operations.
- Areas of study include circuit analysis, embedded systems, digital logic, computer architecture, and control systems.
Bachelor of Arts - History
05.2001 -
Skills
Building Automation Systems (BAS)
Direct Digital Controls (DDC)
Control Systems
Instrumentation
Commissioning
System diagnostics
Electrical Troubleshooting
BACnet
Circuit Analysis
MATLAB
Root Cause Analysis
Calibration
Certification
BAS100: Building Automation Fundamentals
Timeline
HazMat Operations (NFPA 470)
12-2025
Hazardous Materials Awareness (NFPA 470)
12-2025
BAS330: Troubleshooting BAS Systems
12-2025
PROG100: BAS Programming Fundamentals - ALC
02-2025
BAS200: Control Sequence Fundamentals
11-2024
BAS100: Building Automation Fundamentals
08-2024
Senior Instrumentation & Controls Technician - University of Virginia Facilities Management
09.2021 - Current
Senior Electronics Maintenance Supervisor - U.S. Army (Virginia Army National Guard)
07.2009 - Current
James Madison University - Bachelor of Arts, History
05.2001 -
University of Arizona - Bachelor of Science, Electrical & Computer Engineering