Rick Zuber
Richard Zuber
This site provides an overview of my technical background. Please reach out to rick at rickzuber.com if you have any questions.
Quick facts about Rick
- Goes By: "Rick", or often at work just "Zuber". Uses "Richard" in formal writing.
- Location: Syracuse, NY
- Citizenship: US
Career
Hidden Level, Inc (2019 - Current)
Background
Hidden Level has been an exciting ride so far. Being an early employee, I've gotten to experience the challenges of having a total green field to tackle with limited resources (both financial and human) to watching the company triple in size in a year and working to adapt to new challenges and responsibilities.
Roles
Senior Software Engineer (2019 - Current)
- Early seed stage employee
- Developed Cloud based Airspace Monitoring Service (AMS) infrastructure for sensor data processing and fusion
- Modeling, analysis, and simulation tooling
-
Engineering infrastructure
- AWS (Amazon Web Services) Admin
- Export Control Process
- Gitlab Server Admin
- Perforce Admin
- Postgres Database Admin
- Wiki
SRC, Inc (2007 - 2019)
Background
SRC (at the time Syracuse Research Corporation) was my first "real job" out of school. I learned a lot over my 12 years with SRC and still keep in touch with many of my former colleagues. They are top rate company which provides interesting projects and is full of some of the smartest and motivated people I have met.
Roles
Senior Software Engineer (2018 - 2019)
Background
Gryphon Sensors was folded back in to SRC proper in 2018. I was honored to be asked to be one of the key technical leads continuing the project under new management.
Highlights
- Product lead for Skylight system of systems
- Lead software engineer of the R1400 radar system
Lead Software Engineer, Gryphon Sensors (2014 - 2018)
Background
In 2014 I was asked to join a select team to start a new wholly owned subsidiary of SRC. I was employee number 7 of the new venture, and had the unique opportunity to build and grow a team outside the typical corporate structure.
Highlights
- Functional area lead in a fast paced startup style environment
- Developed a real time processing architecture in C++ for the greenfeild R1400 radar
- Managed 11 engineers at peak
- Made interviewing, hiring, and separation decisions
- Performance reviews, 1 on 1s, staff development
- Made key technology selection decisions
- Designed green field real-time radar processing architecture
- Primary database designer / architect
- Integration & test activity at customer sites throughout the country
Systems Technology Engineering Leadership Rotation (STELR) Engineer (2010 - 2013)
Background
The STELR program was a selective process within SRC which allowed engineers to rotate into new functional areas and products. This was a unique opportunity to learn about different technology areas within the company and broaden my technical horizons beyond software engineering. To this day I still gravitate towards Systems Engineering due to the influences here.
Highlights
- Received mentorship from senior engineering and business leaders
- Classical systems engineering, signal processing, wireless
communications, RADAR theory
- Rotated through various projects/programs. Highlights include:
- EPM - GPS / PNT
- Engineering lead for a 6 month $1.2M effort
- Algorithmic development
- Resulted in Patent US10267923B2
- MyRIAD – Lead Software Engineer
- System of systems / fusion processing
- AirWASP
- High performance parallel computing utilizing GPU processing (CUDA)
- Co-authored an IEEE Paper on the processing approach
Software Engineer (2007 - 2010)
Background
Early member of the design team for TPQ/50
Highlights
- Radar dwell scheduling, processing, built in test (BIT)
- Significant experience working at US Government testing facilities
- Organized LcxR breakfast session
Education
Syracuse University
Background
Through SRC's (awesome) tuition support program, I was able to complete two master's degrees at Syracuse University. It was a hard road -- staying on top of my professional work, coursework and starting a family at the same time. Looking back, I'm glad I persevered through it. It gave me a better rounding in hardware design and the higher level business side that has helped me to continue to be an effective engineer.
Masters of Business Administration (2016)
Masters of Science, Computer Engineering (2011)
St. Bonaventure University
Background
I attended St. Bonaventure University for my undergrad education. While SBU isn't an engineering school by any stretch, a generous scholarship package (and an undecided 18 year old mind) helped pave the way. While the CS department was small, the professors were dedicated and thorough in their education. I still apply the knowledge and wisdom passed on in those classes to this day.
Bachelors of Science, Computer Science (2007)
Tech Stack
Core Technical Skills
These are skills I use on a routine basis.
- Python
- C++
- Database Design / SQL
- Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- Linux System Administration
- Full stack Web Development (NGINX, Flask, Javascript (ES7+), PostgreSQL
- CM Tools (Git, Perforce)
- MATLAB
Secondary Skills
My contributions to a team go beyond programming. I enjoy the whole engineering process!
- Field Integration
- Flight Data Analysis
- Technical Reports
- Technical Presentations
- RADAR Theory
- Good bug reports (example)
Other Technical Experience
These are areas I've dabbled in, but wouldn't call myself an expert.
- Azure
- Terraform
- SaltStack
- CUDA
- QNX
- C#
- MPI library for High Performance computing
- Fixed Point DSP SYS/BIOS6
- Thick Client Application Development (Java, C#, Visual Basic)
Favorite Software Engineering Books
Those who know me know I love to read. Here's a selection of software books that have shaped my career to date.
- Designing Data Intensive Applications
- Mythical Man Month
- Peopleware
- Software Estimation - Demystifying the Black Art
- Code Complete