Steven Kelley
Livingston,TN
Summary
Professional and dedicated UAS expert with over 15 years of experience in the field. Possesses extensive knowledge of Quattro and Piccolo flight management systems, including integration, tuning, flight testing, telemetry review, simulation, mishap analysis, and operations in contested GNSS environments. Over 5,000 hours of UAS Pilot in Command (PIC) time across multiple platforms, with extensive experience acting as manual pilot for Quattro FW, hybrid, and Piccolo Elevate based aircraft. 3D modeling and additive manufacturing capabilities round out my experience, offering a comprehensive skill set for advancing UAS aircraft development. Seeking a position that allows me to continue growing my skillset and pursue my passion of bringing cutting edge capabilities to unmanned aircraft.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Pilot
AeroVironment
07.2021 - Current
- Autopilot SME (Subject Matter Expert) supporting Quattro and Piccolo equipped Jump-20 UAS
- Perform the role of Liaison between AV and Applied Navigation to support rapid development of priority capabilities
- Create autopilot related documentation to capture new features and capabilities as they are integrated
- Analyze autopilot telemetry to support flight test efforts
- Conduct mishap analysis and create reports that determine root cause and recommended corrective actions
- Serve as primary technical POC for internal/external customers for autopilot related subjects
- Perform autopilot tuning and configuration to optimize multiple aircraft configurations
- Develop TTPs and autopilot configurations to support contested GNSS operations
- Utilize autopilot SIL/HIL environments to validate autopilot software releases prior to flight testing
- Primary Jump-20 manual pilot, qualified for fixed wing and hybrid configured aircraft.
F-16/F-35 Flight Line Avionics Specialist
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE/AIR NATIONAL GUARD
11.2004 - Current
- Uses Technical Manuals, Fault Isolation manuals, and wiring diagrams to troubleshoot and repair avionics systems malfunctions
- Tests, troubleshoots, repairs and maintains AT Lightening EO/IR Targeting pod systems
- Download FLIR failure data from malfunctioning pods using field test equipment; analyze system functionality through operational testing
- Performs navigational system checks and maintenance including INS, GPS and TACAN systems
- Systematically checks and repaired fly-by-wire flight control systems
- Monitors the functionality of and maintains radar systems including radar altimeter, radar threat warning and counter measure systems
- Implements COMSEC procedures
- Responsible for maintaining multiple cryptographic systems.
Flight Test Engineer
Applied Navigation
11.2020 - 07.2021
- Provided guidance on real world operational requirements to guide autopilot development
- Created flight test program to facilitate autopilot development and testing
- Assisted with Quattro FMS integration into new customer platforms
- Designed and built custom model aircraft to support autopilot development including fixed wing, hybrid, and rotary wing vehicles
- Created Sim models for aircraft using OpenVSP
- Performed extensive autopilot testing utilizing a SIL/HIL environment.
Piccolo Autopilot Subject Matter Expert
Collins Aerospace/ Cloud Cap Technologies
04.2018 - 11.2020
- Provided vehicle integration support
- Performed flight controller gain tuning for customer vehicles
- Created and conducted Piccolo FMS Operator training
- Designed and built aircraft hybrid model aircraft to support autopilot flight testing
- Conducted autopilot telemetry review and mishap analysis
- Provided customer flight support in critical real world operations
- Performed the role of manual pilot to support internal and external flight testing efforts.
Aerosonde UAS Site Lead/Operator/MC/Maintenance Lead
AAI CORPORATION
01.2013 - 04.2018
- Site lead- responsible for personnel management, site survey and setup, inventory management, flight safety, and all aspects of flight operations spanning multiple sites
- Served as the interface between the customer and program management
- Extensive experience with Piccolo based auto pilot and command center (PCC)
- Completed daily reports (SITREPS) for management and tracks flight operations to insure adherence to the contract
- Certified Aerosonde Operator with over 4000 PIC combat mission hours
- Certified Aerosonde Maintainer and Maintenance Lead
- Conduct launch and recovery operations.
ScanEagle UAS Pilot/Operator/Maintainer
INSITU UNMANNED SYSTEMS
- 12.2012
- Shift lead- responsible for safety of flight, and managing site operations
- Subject matter expert on ground control station operation, maintenance, diagnostics, and repair
- Responsible for parts inventory, sortie entry, and fleet status tracking
- Certified ScanEagle Operator with over 1500 mission flight hours, more than 100 launches and recoveries
- Launch and recovery operations
- Performed pre-flight inspections of EO/IR sensors
- ISR operation.
Skills
- Extensive experience in RC Aircraft including fixed wing/ helicopters/ multi-rotors
- Competent in the use of MATLAB to review data and create reports
- Experience in 3D design and manufacturing
- Comprehensive track record of successfully working with a diverse set of internal and external customers in challenging environments
- Current US Government SECRET level Security Clearance
- Extensive experience with and knowledge of Microsoft Office and other computer based tasks
- References, USAF and UAV Certificates available upon request –
Training
- Completed Avionics 7 Level Craftsman training and certification
- F-16 Avionic Systems Apprentice
- Radio Communication System Theory
- Flight Control System Theory
- Electronic Warfare System Theory
- Electronic Principles
- Introduction to Digital Electronics
- AC Circuits
- DC Circuits
- Basic Solid State Theory
References
References, USAF and UAV Certificates available upon request
Timeline
Chief Pilot
AeroVironment
07.2021 - Current
Flight Test Engineer
Applied Navigation
11.2020 - 07.2021
Piccolo Autopilot Subject Matter Expert
Collins Aerospace/ Cloud Cap Technologies
04.2018 - 11.2020
Aerosonde UAS Site Lead/Operator/MC/Maintenance Lead
AAI CORPORATION
01.2013 - 04.2018
F-16/F-35 Flight Line Avionics Specialist
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE/AIR NATIONAL GUARD
11.2004 - Current
ScanEagle UAS Pilot/Operator/Maintainer
INSITU UNMANNED SYSTEMS
- 12.2012
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