Mission Data Loader

1998 – 1999, Embedded Software Engineer

Delivering Mission Data to B-1 Bombers

After graduating with a degree in Mathematics from UCO, I was hired as an Embedded Software Engineer at Boeing’s Defense and Space Group in Oklahoma City. I joined the Controls and Displays team for the B-1 Bomber’s Block E software upgrade, a complete rewrite of the avionics system. My primary responsibility was to implement the Mission Data Loader, the core component responsible for distributing mission-critical data (including flight plans, target coordinates, and weapon configurations) to all other subsystems.

The central nature of this module required constant interaction with every other team on the 100+ person project. This forced me to quickly develop the professional communication and collaboration skills essential to a large-scale engineering effort. I designed and implemented a publish-subscribe interface for data distribution and became the go-to expert for debugging the system’s complex, multi-threaded codebase. As a result of this cross-cutting role, my work became highly visible, and my contributions were known throughout the project.

To this day, it’s a source of pride knowing that, for a time, every B-1 mission began with a crew member inserting a cartridge and running my code.

Key Takeaway

I learned how to be a professional programmer on this project. I was given a critical task, delivered on it, and earned my place as a core member of a high-performing team.

Languages (1)

Ada 95

Ada 95 is a high-level, structured, statically typed, object-oriented programming language designed for real-time, embedded, and distributed systems. It is an international standard language, and is the most recent version of the Ada language. It is designed to be reliable, efficient, and maintainable, and is suitable for a wide range of applications. It supports strong typing, modularity, generics, exception handling, and object-oriented programming. It also has a wide range of libraries and tools for development, debugging, and testing.

Operating Systems (1)

Solaris

Solaris is a Unix-based operating system developed by Sun Microsystems. It is designed to provide a secure, reliable, and high-performance computing environment for enterprise and commercial applications. Solaris is based on the UNIX System V Release 4 (SVR4) operating system and includes a variety of features such as support for multiple processor architectures, advanced networking capabilities, and a wide range of system management tools. Solaris is available in both server and desktop versions, and is used by many organizations around the world.

Devices (1)

B-1 Bomber

The Rockwell B-1 Lancer is a supersonic variable-sweep-wing heavy bomber employed by the U.S. Air Force for long-range strategic and tactical missions. It is commonly used for precision strike and conventional payload delivery, leveraging its variable-geometry wings and integrated avionics to adapt to diverse operational profiles.

Jobs (1)

Boeing, Defense & Space Group

1998 – 1999, Embedded Software Engineer

Embedded Software Engineer at Boeing's Defense & Space Group in Oklahoma City, developing avionics software for the B-1 Bomber's Block E upgrade