Seth D.
Electronics Engineering Technologist Technician
San Antonio,TX
Summary
Principal Electronics & Engineering Technologist Technician with over 20 years of expertise in electronics, radar, and space systems. Currently excelling at Southwest Research Institute, a renowned leader in space exploration and development. Specializes in designing, integrating, and testing spacecraft and systems for groundbreaking missions like PUNCH, a polarimeter project that advances solar corona and heliosphere research. Demonstrated success in managing complex electronic systems, including leading teams at the U.S. Department of Defense to oversee 750+ automated target systems across seven live-fire ranges, ensuring operational excellence and reliability. Military veteran with NASA, government, and EPA certifications. Dedicated to pushing the boundaries of scientific and technological innovation in space and beyond.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
11
11
Certifications
Work History
Principal Electronics Technician
Southwest Research Institute
11.2023 - Current
- Facilitated spacecraft systems integration and environmental testing for PUNCH mission.
- Collaborate with design engineers, integration leads, and project managers to develop and execute detailed assembly, integration and test (I&T) plans in ISO 8 cleanroom environments and above, adhering to strict NASA standards
- Support space hardware throughout integration phases, including thermal vacuum, vibration, and electromagnetic interference testing, resolving technical issues to maintain project timelines
- Document all operations with precision, generating comprehensive historical records for traceability and compliance with space flight hardware protocols
- Track and manage facility assets, ensuring availability of specialized tools and materials (e.g., NASA-certified soldering stations, clean room equipment) for seamless task execution
- Operate in a fast-paced, multi-shift environment, providing timely and accurate updates to cross-functional teams to maintain project momentum
- Maintained operational integrity of complex electro-mechanical components.
- Ensured compliance with NASA requirements during the integration of wiring and electronic components.
Lead Electronics Technician & Team Leader
U.S. Department of Defense, Army
05.2021 - 11.2023
- Led technician team supervising over 750 automated target systems on seven live-fire ranges.
- Oversaw planning and execution of more than 200 maintenance tasks each month, boosting system performance significantly.
- Led first- and second-echelon maintenance on gasoline, electric, and hydraulic-powered infantry and stationary target lifting devices, including hardwired and remote-operated systems
- Diagnosed and repaired complex electronics using power tools, hand tools, and diagnostic equipment (e.g., multimeters, oscilloscopes), reducing downtime by 25%
- Coordinated with upper management as senior technician, preparing daily, weekly, and monthly status reports and presenting operational updates in strategic meetings
- Managed vendor relations and equipment compatibility to lower yearly inventory costs by 20%.
- Optimized workforce selection processes by evaluating candidates and advising hiring decisions.
- Maintained comprehensive maintenance records to meet DoD standards.
Airway Transportation System Specialist
Federal Aviation Administration
01.2017 - 05.2021
- Executed maintenance and certification on ARSR-4 and ATCRBS BI-6/6m ensuring seamless operation of NAS through three strategic sites.
- Performed periodic and corrective maintenance on radar, communication, power, HVAC, and UPS systems, troubleshooting faults to restore services within critical timeframes
- Provided first-level technical support to operations managers, addressing field concerns and implementing solutions to maintain NAS efficiency and safety
- Certified systems for compliance with FAA guidelines, initiating timely repairs and reconfigurations to minimize service interruptions while prioritizing safety-critical functions
- Oversaw NAS Defense Program (NDP) equipment supporting Western and Eastern Air Defense sectors, maintaining COMSEC standards under military oversight
- Ensured accurate safety metrics through effective use of logging and remote monitoring tools.
- Performed upkeep of FAA towers at heights beyond 90 feet as a certified rescue climber & utilized fall protection training and equipment.
- Maintained active SECRET security clearance, following strict protocols in all operations.
Electronic Industrial Controls Mechanic
U.S. Air Force
03.2014 - 12.2016
- Installed, maintained, tested, troubleshot, repaired, and calibrated electronically controlled HVAC systems across multiple automated buildings on McGuire AFB, ensuring optimal environmental conditions for mission-critical operations
- Planned and executed work from electrical and electronic block diagrams, wiring diagrams, schematics, and technical orders, ensuring compliance with Air Force standards
- Performed pretest, operational, and final testing, including final tuning, alignment, and calibration of moderately complex electronic control systems, components, and subassemblies
- Overhauled, repaired, and modified electronically controlled industrial equipment, addressing moderate complexity in design and function, such as temperature regulation and energy-efficient systems
- Conducted preventive maintenance, including disassembly, cleaning, reassembly, and calibration, reducing system downtime by 25% through proactive servicing
- Programmed control components to maintain building heating and cooling at base standards, optimizing energy efficiency and reducing operational costs by 15%
- Utilized a variety of hand tools, power tools, and diagnostic equipment (e.g., multimeters, oscilloscopes) to troubleshoot and repair HVAC control circuits and subsystems
- Adhered to safety and security protocols, maintaining a clean and secure work environment in compliance with established regulations
Electronics Mechanic
U.S. Department of the Navy
03.2013 - 03.2014
- Repaired, overhauled, and modified complete Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment (ALRE) systems, subsystems, and components, ensuring operational readiness for naval aviation
- Disassembled, repaired, assembled, and tested ALRE and support equipment, using oscilloscopes, multimeters, and power supplies to diagnose and resolve malfunctions
- Assembled cables and wiring harnesses from technical drawings and schematics, supporting product development programs for naval systems
- Tested and troubleshot high-voltage regulators and overhauled complete systems, maintaining strict adherence to safety and performance standards
- Supported engineering teams in locating faults and repairing malfunctions, contributing to a 10% improvement in system reliability through meticulous testing
- Read, interpreted, and planned work from detailed technical drawings, ensuring accurate execution of repairs and modifications
Senior Electronics Engineering Technician
StarVision Technologies
03.2007 - 09.2008
- Served as Configuration Control Manager for autonomous aerial refueling system test flights at Yuma Proving Grounds, supporting a U.S
- Assembled, tested, and reworked printed circuit boards (PCBs) using through-hole and surface-mount components, ensuring functionality for optical and digital imaging prototypes
- Set up and conducted experiments for R&D teams, testing optical equipment and visual navigation systems (VisNav) for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
- Assembled aircraft wiring harnesses and cables, documenting new designs and changes using Microsoft Visio for clear technical communication
- Led calibration and testing of the VisNav system, improving navigation accuracy for UAV applications
- Completed wiring and component installation in UAVs, supporting projects like LandingNav and StarCam with hands-on technical expertise
Electronics Test Technician
O.I. Analytical
10.2006 - 03.2007
- Assembled and repaired analytical equipment for chemical analysis, using multiple hand and power tools to meet production deadlines in a lab environment
- Maintained strict safety rules and regulations in a chemical lab, preparing chemical solutions for system testing and calibration
- Manufactured production units and reworked faulty or damaged returns (RMAs), achieving a 95% repair success rate
- Conducted functional testing on completed units, ensuring compliance with quality standards and customer specifications
- Documented assembly and repair processes, contributing to improved workflow efficiency in a small-team setting
Electronics Technician
U.S. Department of the Navy
12.2000 - 12.2005
- Operated and maintained the AEGIS SPY-1B radar system (NEC 1119), performing preventive and corrective maintenance to ensure combat readiness aboard naval vessels
- Troubleshooted electronic components and replaced faulty circuit card assemblies, using soldering skills to restore system functionality under tight deadlines
- Measured circuit characteristics (AC/DC voltages, resistance, capacitance) with multimeters and oscilloscopes, maintaining radar and weapons control systems
- Inspected and serviced circuit cards, waveguides, ribbon cables, coaxial cables, and connectors, ensuring operational integrity of high-voltage systems
- Minimized equipment failures by meticulously servicing high-voltage and low-voltage power supplies, along with liquid cooling systems.
Education
Electronics Technology - undefined
01.2016
Military Training - Electronics and Radar Systems
01.2005
Skills
- Spacecraft Integration and Testing
- Radar Systems Expertise
- Electronics Troubleshooting & Repair
- Project Management
- Preventive & Corrective Maintenance
- Soldering NASA Certified (SMT, Through-Hole)
- Technical Documentation
- Inventory Management
- HVAC & Industrial Controls
- Wiring Harnesses NASA Certified
- Systems Engineering Support
- UAV/Drone Technology
- Electronics Systems/subsystems Assembly and Configuration
Certification
- NASA Certified Soldering & Wiring Harnesses with Space Addendum
- IPC-J-STD-001
- NASA-STD-8739.4
- AEGIS SPY-1B Radar
- FAA ARSR-4 Surveillance Radar
- FAA Beacon 6 Radar
- EPA Section 608 Technician Universal
- FAA HVAC Technician
- Cleanroom ISO-8 Environments and above
- CPT & First Aid
- Rescue Climber & Fall Protection
Accomplishments
- Spacecraft Assembly & Mission Success - Played a key role as part of the team building, assembling, integrating, and testing four spacecraft/satellites for NASA’s PUNCH mission, contributing to their successful launch aboard a SpaceX rocket in March 2025, advancing solar corona and heliosphere research.
- Automated Systems Reliability - Directed a team maintaining 750+ automated target systems across seven live-fire ranges at the U.S. Department of Defense, achieving a 98% operational reliability rate critical for training missions.
- Maintenance Efficience - Executed over 200 preventive and corrective maintenance tasks monthly on complex electronic systems, improving operational efficiency by 30% at Army Support Activity.
- Radar System Uptime - Maintained and certified ARSR-4 and ATCRBS BI-6 radar systems across three FAA sites, ensuring 100% National Airspace System continuity with zero safety incidents over four years.
- Energy Efficiency Gains - Programmed HVAC control systems at McGuire AFB, reducing operational costs by 15% and system downtime by 25% through proactive maintenance and calibration.
- Cost Savings Achieved - Reduced inventory costs by 20% annually through strategic vendor selection and parts procurement, optimizing resources for DoD Range Operations.
- UAV System Overhaul & Reliability - Led the complete redesign and rewiring of tanker and receiver UAV electronics for the VisNav project at StarVision Technologies, achieving 100% launch and recovery success after prior catastrophic failures and crashes in all test missions.
- Equipment Reliability - Overhauled Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment at the U.S. Navy NavAir, enhancing system reliability through precise troubleshooting and repairs.
- Combat Readiness - Maintained AEGIS SPY-1B radar systems aboard naval vessels, ensuring operational readiness and minimizing equipment failures during a five-year tenure.
Timeline
Principal Electronics Technician - Southwest Research Institute
11.2023 - Current
Lead Electronics Technician & Team Leader - U.S. Department of Defense, Army
05.2021 - 11.2023
Airway Transportation System Specialist - Federal Aviation Administration
01.2017 - 05.2021
Electronic Industrial Controls Mechanic - U.S. Air Force
03.2014 - 12.2016
Electronics Mechanic - U.S. Department of the Navy
03.2013 - 03.2014
Senior Electronics Engineering Technician - StarVision Technologies
03.2007 - 09.2008
Electronics Test Technician - O.I. Analytical
10.2006 - 03.2007
Electronics Technician - U.S. Department of the Navy
12.2000 - 12.2005
Rowan College - Electronics Technology,
U.S. Navy Various Locations - Military Training, Electronics and Radar Systems
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