Curriculum Vita

Education

Master of Science in Electrical Engineering August 2010

Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 

  • Related Courses: Optimal Control, Kalman Filtering, Digital Feedback Control, Linear Systems, Nonlinear Systems, Project Management, Digital Signal Processing, Systems Engineering and Analysis
  • Thesis: "Using an autothrottle to compare techniques for saving fuel on a regional jet aircraft"
  • Thesis Committee: Umesh Vaidya (Major Professor), Qingze Zou, and Baskar Ganapathayasubramanian

 

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering May 2005

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, Indiana

  • Minor in Mathematics
  • Related Courses:  Electrical Systems, Circuits & Systems, Electromagnetic Fields & Waves, Analog Electronics, Signals & Systems, Digital Systems, Linear Control Systems, Control Systems I & II, Nonlinear Control Systems, Digital Signal Processing, Communication Systems, Engineering Statistics I & II, Quality Methods
  • Graduated with cum laude honors, Eta Kappa Nu honor society

  

Professional Experience

Senior Systems Engineer, Automatic Flight Control Systems June 2005 - Present

Rockwell Collins, Inc., Cedar Rapids, Iowa

  • Tested control law designs with computer simulations and with prototypes in laboratories
  • Maintained Generic Aircraft Simulation in Matlab for multiple users
  • Updated control algorithm requirements and design for new flight control computer
  • Designed new control algorithms for the new Pro Line Fusion autothrottle
  • Researched Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circulars and other international guidance and standards for a new automatic flight control function
  • Developed state machines for the automatic flight control system and validated the design with formal methods
  • Worked with customers to define high level requirements for three different programs
  • Produced human-centered interface requirements for the flight control system by interviewing pilots
  • Managed a three day training course on automatic landing systems
  • Represented Rockwell Collins at college and national conference career fairs
  • Guided teams of engineers to produce flight control systems for two airplanes
  • Managed schedule and budget on four different projects
  • Earned Lean Associate Certification in September 2011
  • Promoted to Senior System Engineer on January 1, 2011

 

Electrical Engineering InternJune 2004 - August 2004

Pacific Bearing Company, Rockford, Illinois

  • Assisted in new product testing and documentation
  • Researched and worked with three types of DC motors and controllers: rotary stepper motors, brushless rotary servomotors, and brushless linear motors

 

Electrical Engineering InternJune 2003 - August 2003

Marathon Ashland Petroleum, LLC, Robinson, Illinois

  • Worked with instrumentation and control systems within the refinery
  • Created and maintained documentation for electrical equipment
  • Trained in leading small projects and the Marathon Project Management Process for leading capital projects

 

Information Systems Intern June 2002 - August 2002

Inalfa Roof Systems, Inc., Auburn Hills, Michigan

  • Managed the computer help desk and related projects
  • Debugged local and wide area networks containing AS400 and Windows servers, phone system, Xerox Document Centres, and desktop computers
  • Documented both solutions and information collected about systems

 

Publications

  • R. M. Johnson, "Using an Autothrottle to Compare Techniques for Saving Fuel on a Regional Jet," AIAA Infotech@Aerospace 2010, Atlanta, Georgia, Apr. 20-22, 2010, AIAA-2010-3495
  • R. M. Johnson, "Using an autothrottle to compare techniques for saving fuel on a regional jet aircraft,'' M.S. thesis, ECpE Dept., Iowa State Univ., Ames, IA, 2010
  • Authored five white papers at Rockwell Collins that contain proprietary information
  • Co-authored system and software requirements documents for the Pro Line Fusion Automatic Flight Control System at Rockwell Collins

 

Presentations

  • "We are all systems engineers and why that is important," Society of Women Engineers Annual Conference (WE12), Houston, Texas, Nov. 9, 2012
  • "Automatic flight controls at Rockwell Collins: Control law development, simulation, and flight test overview," Guest Speaker in ECE 320 Linear Control Systems, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, Indiana, Jan. 26, 2012
  • "Autoland History and Regulatory Requirement Overview," Presenter in Introduction to Autoland for Flight Control Systems Engineers, Rockwell Collins, Inc., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, August 9, 2010
  • "Using an Autothrottle to Compare Techniques for Saving Fuel on a Regional Jet," AIAA Infotech@Aerospace 2010, Atlanta, Georgia, Apr. 22, 2010
  • "Automatic Flight Controls at Rockwell Collins: Introduction to Control Law Development and Flight Test," Guest Speaker in ECE 320 Linear Control Systems, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, Indiana, Oct. 9, 2008
  • "Introduction to Automatic Flight Control Design and Testing at Rockwell Collins," Guest Speaker in ECE 320 Linear Control Systems, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, Indiana, Oct. 7, 2007
  • "Introduction to Control Law Design and Flight Testing at Rockwell Collins," Guest Speaker in ECE 320 Linear Control Systems, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, Indiana, Jan. 24, 2007
  • "Automatic Flight Control Design and Testing at Rockwell Collins," Guest Speaker in ECE 520 Control Systems I, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, Indiana, Jan. 26, 2006
  • Several presentations of Automatic Flight Control Systems functions to internal and external customers at Rockwell Collins

 

Computer Skills

  • Proficient in LaTeX, MATLAB, Simulink, Microsoft Visio, Microsoft Project, Microsoft Access, Google Docs, Google Sites, Maple, Minitab, Joomla! (Content Management System), Microsoft Windows, and Microsoft Office
  • Familiar with C++, Java, HTML, Verilog, VHDL, LabVIEW, and AutoCAD

 

Associations

  • Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
  • IEEE Women in Engineering
  • IEEE Robotics and Automation Society
  • IEEE Control Systems Society
  • Society of Women Engineers
  • Cedar Rapids Area Delta Delta Delta Alumnae
  • Eta Kappa Nu

 

Professional Service

Section RepresentativeJuly 2011 - Present

Society of Women Engineers, East Central Iowa Section

  • Developed section reorganization plan with president
  • Led discussions to create section goals and strategic plan
  • Planned multiple fiscal year calendar of events for the section
  • Launched new section website
  • Authored news updates for section website
  • Facilitated information sessions at Rockwell Collins to ensure women colleagues knew what opportunities were available as a member of the Society
  • Prepared and assembled section reports for the Region H Governor
  • Mentored new leaders in the section to be more self-aware
  • Participated in an Engineering Panel for high school women interested in engineering
  • Organized an afternoon of engineering based activities for Girl Scouts

 

Curriculum Committee MemberOctober 2012 - Present

Society of Women Engineers

 

IEEE Program EvaluatorMarch 2012 - Present

Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission, ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology)

  • Evaluator for Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technology programs
  • Evaluator for Systems Engineering Technology programs

 

Communications SecretaryJuly 2010 - July 2011

Society of Women Engineers, East Central Iowa Section

  • Created a new website for the section
  • Managed social media for the section

 

Communications ChairOctober 2006 - December 2009

Rockwell Collins Women's Employee Network in Cedar Rapids

  • Maintained TeamSpace site for all of the members of the network in Cedar Rapids
  • Created the TeamSpace site for collaboration of the leadership team of the network
  • Sent notifications of all network events
  • Sent monthly updates to the network members

 

Community Service

E-media Chair March 2010 - Present

Cedar Rapids Alumnae Chapter of Delta Delta Delta

  • Created a new website for the chapter
  • Mentored new leaders in the chapter
  • Coordinated with other officers to execute chapter plan for the year

 

PresidentMarch 2011 - March 2012

Cedar Rapids Alumnae Chapter of Delta Delta Delta

  • Led officer retreat for the chapter
  • Mentored new leaders in the chapter
  • Coordinated with other officers to execute chapter plan for the year

 

Vice PresidentMarch 2010 - March 2011

Cedar Rapids Alumnae Chapter of Delta Delta Delta

  • Planned chapter calendar for the year
  • Coordinated notifications of each event
  • Reviewed and updated chapter bylaws

 

Academic Experience

Lab Assistant, Department of Electrical and Computer EngineeringMarch 2005 - May 2005

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, Indiana

Homework Grader, Department of Electrical and Computer EngineeringAugust 2003 - May 2005

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, Indiana

Homework Hotline TutorMay 2002 - September 2003

Rose-Hulman Homework Hotline, Terre Haute, Indiana

 

Campus Leadership

SecretaryMay 2004 - May 2005

Eta Kappa Nu Honor Society

Vice-President of FinanceMarch 2004 - March 2005

Gamma Pi Chapter of Delta Delta Delta

Philanthropy ChairMarch 2004 - April 2005

Gamma Pi Chapter of Delta Delta Delta

Vice-PresidentApril 2003 - March 2004

Rose-Hulman Pep Band

 

Professional Development

  • WE12, Society of Women Engineers Annual Conference, November 8-10, 2012
  • All Iowa Conference, Society of Women Engineers, April 14, 2012
  • Region H Conference, Society of Women Engineers, February 17 - 18, 2012
  • Influencer, Rockwell Collins, November 2 - 3, 2011
  • WE11, Society of Women Engineers Annual Conference, October 12 - 15, 2011
  • Online Introduction to Artificial Intelligence, Stanford University, Fall 2011
  • Managing for Results, Integrity Integrated, Fall 2011
  • Crucial Conversations, Rockwell Collins, September 20 - 21, 2011
  • Crucial Confrontations, Rockwell Collins, August 18, 2011
  • Creating Professional Change, Integrity Integrated, Spring 2011
  • Region H Conference, Society of Women Engineers, February 4 - 5, 2011
  • Leadership Communication Skills, Integrity Integrated, Fall 2010
  • Learn LabVIEW in Six Hours, IEEE Cedar Rapids and National Instruments, August 28, 2010
  • Introduction to C++ Programming, Kirkwood Community College, Summer 2010
  • WE10, Society of Women Engineers Annual Conference, November 3 - 6, 2010
  • Emotional Intelligence, Integrity Integrated, Spring 2010
  • Region H Conference, Society of Women Engineers, January 29 - 20, 2010
  • Personal Leadership Program, Rockwell Collins, March 24 - 25, 2010
  • Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership, Integrity Integrated, Fall 2009
  • Project Management Fundamentals, Rockwell Collins, January 16 - 17, 2007