With over two decades of experience in electrical engineering and embedded software development I have worked on everything from ultra-low power electronics (Femtowatts) to ultra-high powered electronics (Megawatts). I've done digital design, embedded programming, custom Linux distros, and even programmed PLCs and CLPDs. On the hardware side, I've designed hundreds of PCBs from concept to schematic to layout, production, and testing. I've done custom RF hardware including discrete filters, mixers and amplifiers.
I enjoy working on ambitious projects that push the boundaries of engineering. I've designed my own hardware as well as lead small technical teams though complex requirements.
JDBC exists to help ambitious teams get a solid start on their highly technical challenges. We can take a concept and rapidly turn it into a working proof-of-concept (POC).
A Lifetime in commercial aerospace and telecommunications
Two+ decades of engineering, from rockets to electron microscopes to wireless broadband.
- 2005-2008 (Employee), 2009+ (Contractor)
Data Acquistion Engineer
XCOR Aerospace
Employee:
- EZ-Rocket (Long-EZ)
- Rocket Racer (Velocity)
- 3M9 Lunar Descent Engine Program (NASA)
- Lynx (XCOR)
- Designed bi-propellant high-voltage ignition system
- Designed ground tie-down telemetry rack
- 2006
Private Pilot Training
~40 hours logged (no PPL).
CFI: Dick Rutan
Aircraft: Long-EZ, Cherokee 180, Cessna 152, Citabria - 2008-2010 (Employee)
Avionics Electrical Engineer
SpaceX
- Responsible Engineer for Falcon 9 Stage Controller and associated interface cards
- Responsible Engineer for Remote I/O (RIO) Testbed
- Frequent Waco test site debug engineer
- 2010-2014 (Contractor)
Hardware Engineering Consultant
Astra Space (formerly Ventions, LLC)
Designed all vehicle electroncs
- Power distribution board
- Data acquistion board
- Brushless DC motor board
- Flight Termination System (FTS)
- IMU board
- Satellite radio board
- 2014-2016 (Contractor)
Hardware Engineering Consultant
Motorola Mobility (acquired by Google ATAP)
Lead HW Engineer for the Project Tango smartphone. Developed hardware using multiple 3D sensing technologies:
- Stereo vision
- IR projection
- Time-of-Flight (ToF)
- Stereo from motion
- 2016-2018
CEO
Signal Laboratories, Inc.
Bringing senior engineering expertise directly to ambitious teams.
- 2018-present
President
JD Brinton Consulting, Inc.
(Formerly Amaya Tech, Inc. DBA Electron Labs)Bringing senior engineering expertise directly to ambitious teams.
- 2022-2023
CTO
Red Leader Technologies, Inc.
Lead a small team that developed an ambitious high-performance LiDAR system.
- 2023-present
Principal Avionics Hardware Engineer
Relativity Space
Working on the design and development of the Terran-R rocket.
My Principles
These guide how I work and the outcomes I commit to.
Correct Architecture From Beginning
The right system or PCB design from the beginning can dramatically reduce the total scope of a project.
Constantly Remove Complexity
Its easy for an engineer to throw in a new processor, but how often do you remove one?
Don't Shy Away From Hard Designs
If its worth doing, its hard.
Integrated Solutions Can Often Be Less Work
Using someone's prebaked solution can seem attractive, but it often just shifts the complexity from first principles to someone's poor implementation.
Love The Crunch Times
No PCB in my career has ever been completed without crunch time. Do what it takes to get a design over the finish line!
Follow Process
PCB design is a long-lead time effort. The more process is in place, the fewer mistakes are made.
Ready to Build Something Exceptional?
Let's discuss how excellent electrical engineering leadership can accelerate your next project.
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