Experienced firmware development engineer with close to 50 years' in the embedded electronics industry. I'm interested in utilizing my engineering knowledge and skills to contribute towards new product development where single/multi microprocessor and/or PIC technologies are utilized. I have developed a multitude of products throughout my career ranging from static single processor devices to multi-processor systems utilized in robotics and motion control.

During my career I oversaw all phases of development from product concept through manufacturing and field installation.

ePortage, LLC

Embedded Design Engineer - Independent Contractor / CEO January 2018 to present

Provide in product conceptualization, design, development and prototyping of microprocessor controlled devices.

Supported Technologies:
Nordic nRF52 series (BLE), Intel, Motorola, Renesas
MicroChip PIC Microcontrollers
RPI (Linux OS), ESP-WROOM-32 (WIFI & BLE)
PyCharm (Python & Android Studio), Segger IDE, MPLAB IDE, Arduino IDE, SlickEdit, SourceSafe, Matlab, Blender, Kicad
Single / multi - processor system designs
C, C++, Python, Kotlin, PHP, CSS, Flash, Perl, JAVA, SQL
Android Studio - Android App design
SolidWorks - Bambu Lab printer
Hardware design - Digital/Analog
Schematic capture / PCB layout
SMT prototyping, layout and build
3D design and printing

Honeywell

Sr. Engineering Manager December 1998 to January 2018 (Retired)

Oversaw the engineering research and development, technical operations, budgeting, and site management for Honeywell’s Silent Knight and FireLite brand fire and mass communication panels. Facilitated design reviews of hardware, mechanical, firmware and PC Software. Bridged staffing growth by actively performing firmware development supporting new products and features.

J. Gordon Electronic Design (Honeywell Contractor)

Principal Software Designer September 1997 to December 1998

Designed and coded scheduling and communication interface firmware for Honeywell thermostats designed for commercial retailers. Motorola and Intel processors utilizing Echelon components and protocol, C and Assembly. Developed Microsoft Visual Basic Diagnostic Tools.

Silent Knight (acquired by Honeywell - 2000)

Product Development & Support Manager July 1995 to September 1997

Managed two engineering teams, developing base product platforms for commercial and residential security industry. Each project had varying numbers of engineers and support staff.

Aetrium

Senior Software Engineer April 1994 to July 1995

Created and implemented motion control firmware that powers a pick-and-place device handler. Small-pitch integrated circuits were sorted following testing with a networked IC tester. Firmware operated on a distributed Z-80 networked platform - code written in C and assembly. Diagnostic software written in Microsoft C/C++.

MCT

Senior Software Engineer
Software Development Manager April 1985 to April 1994

Designed and coded motion software for MCT 4610 “Dual Test Site Handler.” The software process code was set up as a finite state machine using five embedded 8032 processors. Machine ran asynchronous between twin test sites. Designed and wrote AC/DC parametric test on 128 pin IC tester – utilized by Intel’s manufacturing of their Pentium processor. MCT delivered the projects on time, enabling years of strong product profitability for the company.

Anderson Cornelius

Senior Software Engineer July 1983 to April 1985

Conceptualized, designed then developed operating system, command interpreter and device drivers for communication card installed in IBM PC. The code was written in both assembly and C. The hardware used an 8086 processor and featured a proprietary line interface for collecting data via administrator-recorded audio messages and touch-tone keypad responses. A dedicated hard drive stored speech patterns and collected or shared data. The product helped manage environmental conditions across multiple hotels and gathered production data at the Ford Motor plant in St. Paul, Minnesota.

MTS Systems

Engineering Electronic Technician September 1978 to Jul 1983

Assisted in design and tasked to build and write firmware on multiple Intel 8080 based manufacturing test fixtures. Programmed manufacturing test equipment included Zentel. Wrote and maintained organization of test procedures - aided manufacturing test as needed.

Personal

- A lifelong enthusiasm for electronics and software technology

- Maintain electronic design / prototyping lab

- Line test equipment (oscilloscope, function generator, logic analyzer, power supply, etc.)

- SMT design, layout, and assembly skills

- Firmware / Microcontroller development - hardware integration

- Refurbishment of antique radios and test equipment

- Amateur Radio (HAM Radio) - Extra Class

- Active in local clubs

- TCDXA - Twin City DX Association

- SARA - Stillwater Amateur Radio Association

Past president (two years) and director (two years)

- Associations

- AWA - Antique Wireless Association

- Collins Collectors Group

- Classical Pianist – Continuing instruction and daily study
- Education – University of Minnesota 1976-1978

Professional Experience Can Be Found Via LinkedIn Here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-howard-8bb32213/

Amateur Radio details can be found here:
https://www.qrz.com/lookup/N0GRM

ePortage Repair can be found here:

http://www.eportage.com/HM