Overview

At FIRST RF, I lead the development, testing, and qualification of conformal antenna systems for aerospace and defense applications. This dual-track role bridges the gap between high-level project strategy and deep-technical execution. I am currently leading two high-priority programs, managing the full lifecycle from proposal pricing and Statements of Work (SOW) to New Product Introduction (NPI). Simultaneously, I drive the mechanical architecture, focusing on advanced composite structures, metamaterial integration, and ensuring structural integrity under aggressive Radar Cross-Section (RCS) and extreme environmental conditions.

Role & Responsibilities

• Serving as both the Project Lead and Mechanical Design Lead for two major conformal antenna programs, balancing timeline and budget management with technical hardware development.
• Leading the concept development and design of composite and metallic structures, ensuring performance and manufacturability for next-generation aerospace arrays.
• Authoring technical requirements and Statements of Work (SOW), and coordinating internal and external phase-gated design reviews.
• Authoring comprehensive test protocols, managing test schedules, and analyzing results to ensure mission-critical reliability.
• Facilitating NPI activities and managing vendor technical communication, Bill of Materials (BoM), and procurement schedules to ensure successful transition to manufacturing.

Key Achievements

• Successfully executed a Critical Design Review (CDR) for a conformal array with aggressive RCS and extreme high-G environmental requirements.
• Reduced procurement lead times by 30% for specialized composite materials by establishing standardized vendor communication protocols and early engagement during the NPI phase.
• Led the mechanical development of specialized metamaterials, integrating them into composite structures to achieve unique RF performance goals.

Technical Details & Challenges

One of the primary engineering challenges in developing conformal antenna systems is the intense multiphysics coupling between structural stiffness, environmental high-G loading, and aggressive Radar Cross-Section (RCS) requirements. To overcome this, I leverage advanced simulation and iterative design to optimize the mechanical architecture. This involves balancing low-loss, RF-transparent composite layups with sufficient rigidity to withstand thermal and vibration regimes. A significant portion of my work focuses on the intersection of advanced composites and metamaterials, where I must deepen my intuition for fundamental RF design principles to proactively ensure structural decisions support electromagnetic success.