Daren Scot Wilson
Escondido, CA
720-253-2646
darenw@darenscotwilson.com
Physicist – R&D in Electronics, Graphics, Test & Calibration
Image Processing, Signal Processing, Instrumentation, Test Automation, Troubleshooting,
Technical Writing, Web development, Photography, Video/Audio Production, 2D/3D Animation
Outstanding Accomplishments
Created image chosen by National Geographic for cover, Dec 2006
Designed rugged waveform generator for student physics laboratory use
Solved “impossible” problems with image calibration for a NASA spacecraft
Pioneered practical interactive 3D rendering of CT scan data for neurosurgery planning
Made a data acquisition system functional, saving a major manufacturer a quarter million dollars
Electronics: Hands-on digital and analog design, prototyping, troubleshooting. Simulation using SPICE, QUCS. Lab
equipment including high precision scales, multimeters, oscilloscopes, etc. Components, systems and areas of
interest include audio, video, high efficiency power conversion, sensors, data acquisition, nuclear and high energy
physics, radio astronomy. design and prototyping with microprocessors, static and dynamic RAM, ROM, I/O
interfaces, ADC/DACs using TTL, NMOS, CMOS, ECL logic technologies. University electronics lab instructor (as
grad student).
Graphics and Visual Arts: 2D Vector and raster image creation with GIMP, Inkscape, Photoshop, hand-written
algorithms in Python, IDL or D. 3D scene and animation creation in Blender. Experience in audio video and film
production, including camera, lighting, chroma key, editing, color correction, audio mixing and editing, and (very
amateur) acting. Familiar with essential principles of photography including focal depth, relation of ISO, f-stop,
shutter speed, exposure and noise.
Software Development on Linux using Python, D, C, C++, IDL (Interactive Data Language, not the other one), Perl,
and various other languages. Toolkits, libraries and systems used include OpenGL, OpenCL, Qt4, gtk+, VTK,
FFTW, NAIF SPICE toolkit, WCS, CASA (radio astronomy), more. Writing add-ons, plugins, extensions for Python,
Ruby, IDL, etc. Most effective in small single-person projects.
Math and Scientific Data Skills: Digital signal processing, numerical analysis, computer vision, algorithm
development, image and video processing, digital cameras. microprocessor architecture, advanced math – Fourier
transforms, differential geometry, Bayesian statistics, Monte Carlo methods, etc.
Web Development and Presentation Skills: HTML, CSS, Javascript. Personal website
www.darenscotwilson.com, webmaster (2003-2004) of ciclops.org, and maker of planets.ucf.edu using Drupal
(2009). Have series of public-level short presentations on Cassini imaging and other topics in astronomical data
gathering, under development.
Selected Employment
Static Analysis Engineer, Qualcomm, San Diego Calif.,
7/2013 - cur
Tuning source code analysis tools to maximize effectiveness in monitoring software product quality.
Characterization Engr., CareFusion, San Diego California
11/2012 - 3/2013
Measured air bubble size, flow through infusion pumps. Setup, perform experiments for air-in-line
sensor characterization. Analysis of data using Python, Numpy, Matplotlib. Uncovered flaw in
microstepping code.
Software Engineer, Volcano Corp., San Diego Calif.,
Developed prototype touch screen GUI components, UX concepts for 3D medical images using
4/2012 - 8/2012
C++, OpenGL, Qt4, PyQt.
Software Test Engineer, Qualcomm, San Diego Calif.,
3/2012 - 4/2102
Automation of Android multimedia testing using Python, Perl, ADB, breakout boards
Web Documentation Consultant, Del Rey Systems, San Diego California
1/2011
Rewrote search and navigation of offline HTML documentation for easier maintenance, flexibility.
Image Processing Software Developer, Malin Space Science, San Diego CA,
6/2011 - 11/2011
Created VICAR file format plugins for Photoshop CS5 on Mac Snow Leopard. Research on JPEG
file format error detection and repair. Provided Java code for MSL camera constraints to imaging
planning software based on Eclipse RCP.
Software Engineer, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Socorro New Mexico
6/2010 - 6/2011
Maintained CASA data calibration/plotting tool, written in C++ and Python, for astronomers using
the EVLA and ALMA radio telescope arrays.
Software Dev /Researcher, Univ of Central Florida, Orlando FL
6/2008 – 6/2009
Converted image analysis routines from IDL to Python/Numpy for Spitzer space telescope data.
Rendered animations, plots of data from CFD simulations using VTK, Mayavi, Paraview,
Matplotlib. Created planets.ucf.edu website using Drupal, PHP, HTML, CSS2.
Image Analyst, CICLOPS, Space Science Institute, Boulder Colorado
7/2003 - 6/2008
SSI is home for CICLOPS, a team of planetary scientists who process and archiving images from the
Cassini spacecraft at Saturn. Prepared images for public release, automated processing and
geometry calculations, solved calibration problems using IDL, C++, Python, and JPL’s NAIF data
and software toolkit on dual-monitor Linux workstations
Brake Test Software Engineer, Chrysler – Chelsea Proving Grounds, Chelsea Michigan
7/1997 - 2/2001
Created software for real-time data acquisition and automated plotting/reporting
system. Collaborated with Electrical Engineers to troubleshoot, develop
calibration procedures
Graphics/Industrial Software Developer, Essential Technology, MI
6/1989 – 6/1995
Key person in startup. Created salesperson-friendly CAD app for metal roof
project estimation. Reduced factory material waste significantly with
optimization program based on genetic algorithm.
3D Graphics Software Engineer, Tomo Medical – MI
6/1988 – 4/1989
Pioneered practical interactive 3D rendering of CT scan data for neurosurgery planning.
BPM Electronics Calibration Technician, Stanford Linear Collider, Palo Alto CA
8/1986 – 7/1987
Developed apparatus, procedures to test and calibrate 120+ custom designed CAMAC modules for
Final Focus beam position monitors.
Additional Experience
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Designed multipurpose waveform generator for physics student lab use. Requirements included short-proof
outputs, linear frequency dial, AM and FM inputs, sharp waveforms on scopes up to 1MHz. Designed discrete
bipolar transistor differential amplifier for high gain-bandwidth characteristics exceeding available ICs.
Electrical efficiency and elevated-temperature lifespan testing of thermoelectric generators and coolers.
Wrote test software, debugger and device drivers to test industrial machine vision products.
Installed solar PV panels on Zomeworks tracking mount
Assistant Director for live pledge drives, etc. for WTVS (ch 56), the PBS station in Detroit
Frequent contributor to Stack Overflow /StackExchange Q&A sites - http://stackexchange.com/users/6259/darenw
Education
Graduate Studies in Physics, Colorado State Univ.
Graduate Studies in Physics, Indiana Univ.
BS Physics, Oakland University
Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts – Radio/TV Production
RETS Electronics Schools – Industrial Electronics Technician