Hector.Velasco@colorado.edu
http://hector.velasco.me
Tel. (858)699-8811
Results-oriented Satellite Communications professional with extensive industry experience, managing and supporting government and commercial projects in 5 continents. Well versed in intercultural communications, 100% fluent in English and Spanish. Skilled in International Operations, Systems Engineering, Quality models and Project Management (PMI model). Customer oriented used to work on customer premises. U.S. Citizen. Secret Security Clearance .
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Satcom deployments expert
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Satellite Systems Engineering
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Quality tools
EXPERIENCE
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Team Building and Leadership
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Extensive International exposure
Face-to-face customer interaction
ViaSat, Carlsbad, Ca. 3/2013-present
Project Engineer
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Designed solution for aeronautical ISR missions using steerable beam on Ka-band. Modeled coverage using steerable beams in STK. Performed antenna Rf measurements used on government projects.
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Responsible for maintenance and performance of SOCOM hubs in Middle East for aeronautical missions.
Panasonic Avionics Corporation, Lake Forest, Ca. 3/2011-3/2013
Sr. Satellite Communications Engineer
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Analyzed capacity, coverage and interference in a multi-satellite network aeronautical application that provides In-
Flight Entertainment (IFE) worldwide. The network uses USAT terminals on Ku band, panel antennas, and iDirect
Automatic Beam Switching (ABS). Principal engineer responsible for the design of maps that drive the beam switching within the network. Responsible for identifying root causes that affected Rf performance.
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Responsible for analyzing and measuring metrics that affect SLA, and evaluating ground segment performance in teleports around the world using iDirect technology, in what was the largest commercial aeronautical satellite network
Space Systems/Loral , Palo Alto, Ca. 1/2010 – 12/2010
Mission Engineer / Sr. Systems Engineer
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Engineered end-to-end solutions and proposed new applications by identifying technology and trends for commercial and government customers that will drive the design of new generation satellites using Ka-band.
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Researched government acquisition processes and architected new solutions for the procurement of commercial satellite resources by DoD, based on the foresight of capacity demand
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Analyzed the performance of commercial terminals for COTM and AISR using link budgets and analytical tools in order to align satellite design with current and future capacity needs.
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Participated in the architecture of innovative solutions that include Ka band, spot beams, DVB-S2/RCS, IP based broadband solutions, ultra small antennas, multi-satellite networks and commercial modems. Supported proposal development for commercial and government missions. Analyzed Rf and interference issues for aeronautical applications.
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Participated in internal R&D initiatives proposing GSO and NGSO architectures considering geometries that could avoid or minimize interference. Extracted information from ITU space network systems databases. SATMEX
Qualcomm, San Diego, CA 10/2002 – 6/2009
Sr. Engineer / Project Manager
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Engineered VSAT architecture for the FLOTV network for broadcasting digital TV content, resulting in a robust solution reducing potential downtime in the network, including Rf analysis, trade-offs and link budgets
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Acted as SME on SATCOM issues; trained and coached junior members on satellite communications technology
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Evaluated and selected COTS equipment for satellite IP backhaul, including antennas for mobile and fixed applications, tracking antennas and IP over satellite platforms
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Responsible for site construction, commissioning and hand-over to operations, including HVAC, tower work, A&E, antennas and in-doors electronic equipment.
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Tested, commissioned and handed-over to operations group over 1 million dollars in equipment and assets per site on a bi-weekly basis, in a 300+ sites deployment.

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Developed strategy and metrics for the Field Engineering group based on a Business Performance Excellence (BPE) quality model that reduced the deployment time.
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Managed schedules and bug tracking for the development of hardware for mobile satellite communications platform, including ultra small antennas for COTM (OmniTracs)
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Acted as liaison between customer and different departments within the company
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Implemented a knowledge base that reduced field reworks and reduced learning curve for new team members
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Facilitated meetings with customers and technical staff resolving issues in a timely and effective manner
BroadTech International, San Diego, CA. 1/2002-9/2002
Program Manager
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Created strategic plan for start-up company entering the Latin America market, based on a Business Performance
Excellence (BPE) model where metrics were aligned with the vision/mission of the organization
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Evaluated wireless products and applications to implement in Latinamerica. Identified third party vendors and carriers for mobile applications, using a well balanced mix of technical background and business strategy understanding.
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As a result of a disciplined strategic analysis, potential customers were narrowed down, avoiding time wasted on noncritical customers or on services that were not part of the scope of the company. First customers were identified in a quick manner and to this point they remain as company customers. Applied knowledge in Latin-American culture in order to avoid cultural barriers and effectively negotiated partnerships
Titan Wireless, San Diego, CA. 4/2001 –12/ 2001
Technical Program Manager
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Managed concurrent satellite communications projects in Guatemala and Africa in a cross-functional environment
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Managed engineering, procurement and deployment efforts for a Wireless Local Loop for VoIP project in Africa, with satellite teleports in Africa and the U.S.
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Responsible for deployment schedules, budget control, risk analysis and approval of technical requirements; participated in process improvement initiatives.
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Demonstrated intercultural awareness facilitating communication and empathy with customers.
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A well balanced of technical background and business strategy understanding allowed me to communicate well with customers and technical personnel, undertaking systems engineering tasks as required
Comtech EFData, Tempe, AZ. 12/1997 – 4/2001
Systems Engineer / Project Engineer
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Pre and Post sales engineering responsibilities. Performed Rf analysis, end-to-end solutions, network optimization, capacity, traffic and trade-off analysis in satellite networks for customers worldwide.
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Responsible for training customers worldwide on company products and satellite technology
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Responsible for testing satellite communications equipment on large uplink and downlink facilities
 Gathered customer’s requirements in order to work with R&D, operations and systems engineering teams to implement and test new solutions.
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Performed and directed testing at a systems level on equipment for satellite networks
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Implemented solutions for a diverse range of applications such as, maritime, telemedicine, TV teleports, VoIP
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Built strong relationships with overseas customers applying skills in intercultural communications. Spent long periods on customer premises working with their team
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Managed and led customer’s technical team overseas where I did not have direct authority.
Satellite Communications Engineer Contractor
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Integrated and deployed gateways and control centers for satellite communications networks
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1/1995 – 11/1997
Rf testing of large earth stations and VSATs ( 0.9 to 10 m antennas ) for diverse applications such as TV teleports, gateways, news gathering, telemedicine, DTV-DTH broadcast, cellular backhaul, voice and data.
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Companies served during this period were: Scientific-Atlanta, IDB, SDS, Samart (Thailand), CTI (Argentina),
PEMEX (Mexico), El Marin (Sweden), Deutsche Telecom (Germany), and TSA (Mexico)
Sistemas Infinity, Mexico
Operations Manager/Co-Owner
Installation and maintenance to VSAT terminals
10/1993 – 1/1995

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EDUCATION
Masters of Engineering Management
Masters of Science in Telecommunications
University of Colorado, Boulder
University of Colorado, Boulder
Electrical Engineering Degree
Black Belt, Six Sigma
Tec de Monterrey, Mexico
Stanford Advanced Project Management (SAPM) Stanford University
Professional Project Management Cert University of Colorado, Boulder
University of Colorado, Boulder
MANAGEMENT METHODOLOGIES and TOOLS
Six Sigma, Project Management, Business Process Excellence, Strategic Planning
SOFTWARE, HARDWARE, TECHNOLOGIES and BRANDS
MS Office suit, Visio. FDMA, TDMA, DAMA, SCPC, OFDM, WCDMA, GSM, WAN, LAN IP protocols, DVB,
MPEG, IRD, T1/E1, Routers, Amplifiers, Up converters, Down converters, BUCs, antennas, GPS, spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, VSAT, C/Ku/Ka bands, Prodelin, Patriot, Vertex, Channel Master, Scientific-Atlanta, SweDish, Cisco,
Codan, Comtech, EFData, Comstream, Tachyon, Direcway, iDirect, MIDAS, STK.
Satmex Mexico Boeing