Personal statement

Embedded Software Engineer with twenty years of experience in developing products with complex hardware and software requirements. Work closely with test engineers to define and support effective automated test and calibration strategies. I am skilled at troubleshooting unexplained test failures and resolving customer issues when escalated back to product development.

Key Skills

· Proven ability to build and maintain positive and collaborative working relationships with colleagues

· AI Tools: ChatGPT subscriber for algorithm design and code reviews

· Embedded C / C++ Development: 9 years with STM32, 5 years with Atmel ARM. Remainder: ATMega, PIC

· Compilers / IDE: 2 years with STM32CubeIDE, 3 years with VisualGDB (CMake), 11 years with IAR

· Embedded RTOS / Network stacks: From 2006 – FreeRTOS, LwIP, uIP

· Debuggers: SEGGER J-TRACE (with Ozone), J-Link, ST-Link

· Schematic Design: From 1999 - Schematics and component selection for microcontroller and connected peripherals (Ethernet, memories, LED display, internal COMMS, SPI/I2C DAC and ADCs)

· Schematic Review: From 1999 - Review complete product schematic to ensure the software has required control and monitoring points

· PCB Layout: From 1999 - Guide drawing office through PCB layout for clock distribution, high-speed digital layout, ground planes and design for low noise (e.g. ADC converter)

· PCB design: [Not industrial experience] - Created my own IC breakout PCB boards – see jnewcomb.com

· Windows Application Development: From 2006 - Visual Studio C# .NET development for customer GUI, engineering tools and test apps.

· Cross Platform GUI: Android / iOS / PC using .NET MAUI

· SDK (Software Development Kit): Created for the customer to monitor and control the product through an easy-to-use API and provided as a NuGet package or LabView example

· Bootloader: Firmware updates using a custom protocol. STM32F and STM32G series

· SMT Soldering for PCB Mods: Track re-routes/termination, Kynar wire mods, IC pinout corrections, etc.

· Circuit Prototyping: Eval boards are connected via .1” patches to breadboard, Veroboard or wire wrap

· SAP ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning): I’ve used it for querying BOMs, component selection, pricing, adding new part numbers and assembles, checking orders, stock queries, change requests & more

Employment History (Refer to ‘Hobbies of Interests’ for gaps in employment)

Lead Firmware Engineer, Advanced Energy, Littlehampton (2006-2013,2014-2022)

Advanced Energy designs and manufactures network-controlled high-voltage power supplies from 5KV to 200KV. They provide standard and OEM solutions for system integration in a wide range of applications such as partial accelerators for scientific analysis, undersea cable power feed equipment, analytical X-ray systems, scanning electron microscopes and semiconductor fabrication equipment

· Schematic and C/C++ software development for new platforms, create new variants and support existing products. Designs based around STM2F4 and STM32G4 Microcontrollers

· Create SDK (Software Development Kit) to allow customers to interact with product (.NET and LabVIEW)

· GUI, Logging, CAL and test program development: Windows Application programming using .NET and .NET CORE Framework. LabVIEW applications for monitoring and control.

Senior Software Development Engineer, Tyco Safety Products, London (2001- 2005)

Tyco Safety Products designs fire protection and suppression solutions. The FLAMEVision FV300 is a premium infrared pyroelectric array-based flame detector used in industrial and marine applications

· Solely responsible for embedded software specification, planning and development

· Key team member at all stages from requirements specification to production release. The main areas of involvement are system architecture, electronics design, design studies, production test specification, test equipment approval, pre-production, field trials and production release

· Developed Windows GUI applications for internal operational visibility, data extraction, data processing, configuration and field support

Firmware Engineer, Electrosonic, Dartford (1999-2001)

Electrosonic UK designs top-of-the-range video wall processors. Vector, its flagship product is controlled over the network from a Windows application and can drive up to 256 independent display

· Project leader with a resource of 5 engineers tasked to adapt the Vector product for use in the LED display market

· Adding firmware support for new products, features requested and maintenance of existing firmware

Process Engineer, Hewlett Packard, Bristol (Jun 1996 - Oct 1997)

HP Bristol designs and manufactures Digital Audio Tape backup drives for small to medium-sized servers. Capacity ranges from 2GB to 144GB

· On-going development and documentation of the production test systems and test processes to improve effectiveness and efficiency

· Teaming with engineers from Field Returns and Repair Organisations to design, write and install a system to track the quality performance of repaired products

Other (non-industrial, Hobby)

Computer Controlled Polystyrene Foam Cutter: (at age 17) Cutting size 600 x 300 x 1200mm. Designed and built the mechanics and electronics. Four independent stepper motors move a thin wire under digital temperature control. Used in Liverpool College to teach CAD to students.

Computer-controlled lighting sequencer: (at age 18) Coordinated a team of three to develop a club lighting system. Serial information is passed out the computer down a line of strobe lights. The software allows sequences to be edited or created just before an event according to the layout. Used at major clubs and events in Bristol, London and Germany.

Education

University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol

(1994 –1998) 2.1 B.Eng. (Hons) in Digital Systems Engineering with a year in industry

Liverpool College

(1992–1988) ‘A’ Levels: Design & Technology B, Business Studies C. GCSEs: 8 - All Level ‘C’ or above

Honours and Awards

Sponsorship by HP: Received sponsorship for my final year at university
Gold Crest Award: For the design and construction of a computer-controlled polystyrene foam cutter. Awarded by the British Association for the Advancement of Science (Aged 17)
Silver Crest Award: For design & construction of an intelligent alarm system (Aged 15)

Hobbies & Interests

Cycle touring / Travel blogging / Photography / History / Skiing / Partnered dance
(Mar 2023 – Sep 2023) <Polarsteps Blog link> Cycle tour. Theme: Desert life. UK, Spain, West Africa
(May 2022 – Dec 2022) <Polarsteps Blog link> Cycle tour. Theme: Wine. UK, Spain, Italy, Balkans countries, Turkey.
(Mar 2013 – Aug 2014) <Polarsteps Blog link> Cycle tour and a month of training staff at Naivasha Technical Institute, Kenya. Countries traversed: France, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa
(Mar 2005 – Dec 2005) <Polarsteps Blog link> Cycle tour. UK to Central Europe, Balkans, Greece, Turkey, Tunisia.
(Jun 2001 – Aug 2001) Cycle tour, UK and France
(Jun 1998 – Jan 1999) Backpacking around SE Asia

References

From Advanced Energy (Previously HiTek Power Ltd), Hawthorn Road, Littlehampton, BN17 7LT. 01903 712400
Gary Byfield: Director of Technology
Dave Hopkins: Senior Engineering Manager