Robert R. Ratcliff
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Deliver multi-tier solutions based on sound design principals with maximum use of existing technologies to reduce time to market
Over a decade of experience in designing and developing multi-tier solutions from the database schema design and implementation, to the messaging and middleware to the GUI
Rapid Java Swing GUI development (over 20 applications developed in the last decade.)
Note: I've listed skill and (years of experience, last year used)
Domain Experience — GIS (19 years, 2018), Database Modeling (19 years, 2017), 3D Graphics (10 years, 2018), Military Applications (22 years, 2018), Three tier systems (20 years, 2018), Aerospace Engineering Applications (29 years, 2018)
Software Architecture and Design Experience — UML and ERD (19 years, 2018), Feature Driven Development (19 years, 2018), Agile (16 years, 2018)
Language Experience — Java (24 years, 2018), SQL (19 years, 2018), HTML (24 years, 2018), Tcl/Tk/Tix/IncrTcl (23 years, 2018), C/C++ (10 years, 2018), JavaScript (5 years, 2012), TeX/LaTeX (12 years, 2013), FORTRAN (17 years, 2006), Perl (3 years, 2003).
Java APIs — JDK 7, Swing, Web Services using JAXWS and JAXB, REST based services using Jersey, NASA World Wind, Pi4J,SNMP4J, JOGL, Android, JacORB, OpenMap, RMI, DIRMI, Java Sound, Java2D, JDBC, Hibernate, JNDI, JEE, EJB, JPA, Servlet, JSP, JavaMail
Developer Tools — Together Architect UML and database designer, ERWin, NetBeans, Eclipse, IntelliJ, Hibernate, Vi, OpenESB XML Schema, WSDL and BPEL editor, Version control using Git, SVN & CVS
Application Servers — Glassfish, OpenESB, Tomcat
Databases — MySQL, Oracle, MS SQL Server, Access
Business Software — MS Project, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access, QuickBooks, TurboTax
Operating Systems — UNIX - Raspbian, Linux, Solaris, HPUX, IRIX (27 years, 2017), Windows 8 (3 years 2017), Windows 7 (1 year, 2013), Windows XP (7 years, 2013), Windows 2000 (7 years, 2007), Windows '95/NT (5 years, 2002), VMS (2 years, 1991), MVS (2 years, 1988), and VM (1 year, 1988).
CAD Experience — Catia, Boeing Aerodynamics' Geometry System (AGPS), Naval Surface Warfare Center's DT_NURBS B-Spline Geometry Library.
CFD Code Experience — Multiblock Navier Stokes Design and Analysis (TLNS3D/DISC), Overflow, Tranair, Two Dimensional Euler Design and Analysis, (Giles/Drela code), Full Potential Wing Design and Analysis (Boeing code and TAW5D), Three Dimensional Panel Method.
Cofounded WWW software consultation firm providing software and web design, management, and support in 1995.
Managed all phases of projects for including customer contact, initial proposal, statement of work, software development, product reviews with customer, and final billing. The customers included startups to Fortune 500 companies.
Add multi-threaded support to the Combat/C++ TCL bindings for the MICO CORBA ORB
Migrate database system to the latest MySQL and configure SSL and password support for secure communication
Consulted on an enterprise wide process and data management system
Designed a database model and associated Java mapping using JPA for a multi-element aerodynamic analysis code. Created a JPA annotated Java class to IDL Value Types converter and an reflective based serializer/deserializer.
Developed a distributed engineering analysis system framework for Boeing Phantom Works used for preliminary design. It was implemented using a TCL/TK/ITCL/Tix GUI, MySQL relational database and a CORBA communication layer (2000-present). (See "Multidisciplinary Design Optimization System Using Higher Order Analysis Codes "and A Modern CORBA-Based Approach to Ad Hoc Distributed Process Orchestrations Applied to MDO)
Developed a TCL/TK GUI and infrastructure for a distributed engineering analysis system for Boeing using a proprietary "CORBA-like" communication layer based upon the PVM, Parallel Virtual Machine, technology. (2001).
Lead developer of a RaptorX plugin to support RF analysis
Developed RaptorX plug-in to manage and display contoured heat maps derived from solutions based on sensor information
Developed RaptorX plug-in to control a drone and display streaming data from on-board sensors on a 3D NASA World Wind globe
Developed OpenESB bidirectional translation server between services for a county government
Lead developer of a CORBA (TAO and JACORB) and Swing-based sensor network integration demo. Created a demo that integrated system using a proprietary binary protocol with a CORBA-based framework using the CORBA notification service and associated translators as a bridge between the two. Create a Swing-based GUI that allowed user-interaction with audio data pulled via serial communications from a local radio and timestamped with a local Microsoft GPS fob. Displayed results in real time in Google Earth via the COM API and a CORBA server.
Developed a client/server architecture to quickly reboot or gracefully shutdown a large clusters of computers and to monitor their operational status. The client was based on the NetBeans rich platform and the communication was built using a next generation RMI library called DIRMI. The associated UPSes were also monitored using SNMP and the computers were automatically shutdown if the battery became nearly depleted.
Lead developer of a NetBeans plugin to display live sensor data within a NASA World Wind globe
Lead developer for a Swing-based GUI built on the NetBeans modular platform to display status and configure and control a Cisco router and INMARSAT modem
Lead developer for a Swing-based GUI built on the NetBeans modular platform and a custom DIRMI service to allow an operator to quickly shutdown a dozens of Unix and Windows computers
Architect and lead developer for a mission services proxy service based on Glassfish OpenESB
Senior engineer for the server-side capabilities (persistence, algorithm implementation, business logic, application server clustering) of a web-based mission planning and sensor placement optimization service using Glassfish, Hibernate, GWT, MySQL, servlets, EJB.
Lead developer of Swing Application Framework GUI and custom client communication layer for a world wide sensor system
Lead developer of a Swing-based signal acquisition GUI and server simulator. This project required lots of optimization of the GUI code to handle the large amounts of streaming audio and spectral power data. Deployed as an applet as well.
Lead engineer for a team that developed a Java Swing-based GUI to control a network of distributed sensors and display the engineering results in near real-time on plots, tables and world maps. My role was to lead the design and development of the software from the ground up, build the development team, provide technical vision, manage the distribution of work amongst the developers, track the requirements, provide estimates and schedules, facilitate problem solving and trouble shoot difficult performance and memory issues. I led the effort from initial requirements gathering, rapid prototyping, development to deployment, as well as, supported technical issues found in the field.
Managed the development of 4 other spin-off thick client products based on the original code base.
Managed the technical development of a feature release of the core product. This was cross-cutting management task that spanned the various technical disciplines.
Educated and promoted the use of new or standards-based software technologies
Developed a Web based Publication/Video inventory and ordering system for a Non-Profit Washington State funded organization called "The Alcohol and Drug HelpLine" using MS SQL Server, JDBC, Java Servlets, Style Sheets, HTML and TCL. (2000).
Developed industrial strength web based radio show scheduling application using HTML, Style Sheets, Java Servlets, JDBC, RMI, MS SQL Server Database, TCL and CVS. (1999).
Developed Web based notebook binder label generation program, Binder, using LaTeX and Perl.
Authored Java based client and C++ server Trivia game and game administration tools. (See Seajug Presentation for more info.) (1998).
Created prototype for new NetMarket web site for CUC International Inc. (1997).
Created web based On-Line Ordering System for an international software company, Sierra On-Line Inc. (1995).
Led a group of developers through the design and development of a web-based consulting resource and contact management system. Technologies used were JFC, HTML, XML, JDBC, RMI, JavaBeans, Servlets, SQL and an Oracle database. An EJB-like data layer was designed using JDBC and RMI
Prototyped an intranet portal for a pharmaceutical company using JSPs and Oracle 9i Portal
Performed technical interviews for over thirty candidates for Java programming positions
Prepared and taught a 40 hour introduction to Java and object oriented programming class for Motorola.
Architected web based solution to the hiring process. Further refined an Open Source Object/Relational mapping tool written in Java called TableGen. Technologies used were HTML, JFC, RMI, JDBC, JSP, Servlets and XMLC.
Analyzed an existing web site based on PHP and MySQL and created an estimate to revamp the site using a Java and Oracle based solution
Created Education Sign-up process for corporate web site using Java servlets and JavaMail: http://www.thinkspark.com/servlets/EducCourseReg
Participated in the production and preliminary design of a web based solution to commercial insurance brokering using a technology from Apple called WebObjects.
System Architect, GUI Designer for multi-disciplinary optimization/design system. (1999).
Managed (schedule, budget, statement of work, product review) significant subcontracted programming work. (1999).
Co-authored a winning proposal to the USAF involving multi-disciplinary optimization, CORBA type communication, GUI Design, and SQL database communication. (1998).
Designed and coded a 50 screen/30,000 line Graphical User Interface (more screen shots) written in TCL/TK and Tix for a complex wing/body optimization system: 3DOPT . (May 1996 to Present).
System architect for a UNIX based wing/body optimization system called 3DOPT. (May 1995 to Present).
Served as Computer Focal Point for Flight Aerodynamics Engineering Department (Jan 1996 to Present). Specified, ordered, installed, configured and maintained UNIX workstations (HP 735's, SGI Octanes), servers (SGI Origin 2000, DEC Alpha), PCs, and the applicable software.
Developed numerous data manipulation and presentation routines in "C" which were used in conjunction with UNIX Shell scripts to automate data presentation and design tasks. (1994).
Automated Interface to the BOEING Time Keeping System (Sept. 1994) -Wrote a TCL/Expect script, Hypersalco, which interacts with the TSO based interactive time keeping system. The script decreased the time the spent completing a time card from 5 minutes to 7 seconds.
Performed Inverse Aerodynamic Design of HSCT type wings for supersonic laminar flow applications (Dec 1993 to March 1995).
Performed Inverse Aerodynamic Design of a Supersonic Laminar Flow Glove for the F-16XL (Oct. 1992 to Aug. 1993). First in company to successfully use an inverse method to design a supersonic wing with severe aerodynamic, manufacturing, structural and systems constraints imposed.
Performed Transonic Wing Design for Hybrid Laminar Flow (Jan 1992 to Sept. 1992). First in company to successfully design a laminar flow wing in the presence of nacelles and recover the original wing alone pressures.
Performed Transonic Airfoil Design (Jan 1990 to Jan 1992). Designed high performance airfoils that exceeded the performance of previous designs. Pursued a patent on a proprietary airfoil design concept. Promoted the use of multi-point optimization to solve off design problems in transonic airfoils.
Awards
Nominated by Hall Kinion for Contractor of the Year for 2002
"Supplier Management & Procurement Achievement Award" recognizing exceptional performance as a subcontractor to Boeing Phantom Works (2001)
Sustained Performance Award for on time and under budget release of various deliverables for 3DOPT US Air Force Contract at Boeing Defense and Space Group. (1999).
Chosen as one of five employees recognized for adding future value to the Boeing Company by ensuring company growth through innovative and progressive thinking. (1999).
Team Excellence Award from NASA Langley Research Center for outstanding innovative and technical design, development, and demonstration of Supersonic Laminar Flow Control in flight, leading to significant benefits to supersonic transport aircraft. (Dec. 1996)
Sustained Performance Award during the 3DOPT US Air Force Contract at Boeing Defense and Space Group. (1997)
M.S. Aerospace Engineering Texas A&M University, August 1989. GPR = 3.75/4.0
B.S. Mechanical Engineering Texas A&M University, May 1986. GPR = 3.5/4.0, Cum Laude
B.S. Aerospace Engineering A&M University, May 1986. GPR = 3.5/4.0, Cum Laude
Conferences, Organizations and Short Courses
One of the Founding Leaders of the 1300 member Austin Java Users Group , May 2001 to Present. Organize sponsorship, coordinate meeting logistics, emcee meetings
First AIAA InfoTech Conference, Arlington, Virginia, September, 2005.
10th AIAA/ISSMO Multidisciplinary Analysis and Optimization Conference, 30 August - 1 September 2004, Albany, New York
"Object Oriented Analysis and Design Using the Unified Modeling Language", 40 hour course taught by Charles Richter, October 2000.
Java One Conference, San Francisco, CA, June 1999.
TCL/TK Conference and Tutorials, San Diego, CA, September 1998.
Java One Conference, San Francisco, CA., May 1998.
Member of Seattle Java Users Group , joined 1998.
Java One Conference and Java Tutorial, San Francisco, CA., April 1997.
"C++ programming", 40 hour course in Seattle, WA, February 1995.
"X-Windows programming using Motif", Boeing, September 1992.
Getting to Know OpenESB", Austin Java Users Group, May 3rd, 2011,http://www.austinjug.org/presentations/openesb-ratcliff-05032011.pdf
Google Earth Hacks", Austin Java Users Group, February, 2008,http://www.austinjug.org/presentations/GoogleEarthHacks.pdf
Robert R. Ratcliff, Designing Scalable High-Performance Rich Clients from the Trenches, presented at JavaOne 2007, Moscone Center, May 2007. PDF
Robert R. Ratcliff, Stephen T. LeDoux, William W. Herling, "A Modern CORBA-Based Approach To Ad Hoc Distributed Process Orchestrations Applied to MDO", presented at the first AIAA InfoTech, Arlington, Virginia, September, 2005, AIAA 2005-7143.
Stephen T. LeDoux, William W. Herling, Joe Fatta, Robert R. Ratcliff, "Multidisciplinary Design Optimization System Using Higher Order Analysis Codes", 10th AIAA/ISSMO Multidisciplinary Analysis and Optimization Conference, 30 August - 1 September 2004, Albany, New York, AIAA 2004-4567
"A Comparison of Three High-Performance Binary-Based Communication Platforms", Austin Java Users Group, October, 2005, http://www.austinjug.org/index.jsp?p=archive-20041026.
Keeping Your Swing Applications Responsive with Foxtrot and Friends, Austin Java Users Group, November, 2004, http://www.austinjug.org/index.jsp?p=archive-20041130
Intro to CORBA: Redheaded Stepchild or Extreme Web Services", Austin Java Users Group, February, 2003,http://www.austinjug.org/index.jsp?p=archive-20030225
"Java IDE Bake-off", Austin Java Users Group, March, 2003, http://www.austinjug.org/index.jsp?p=archive-20030325
William W. Herling, Stephen T. LeDoux, Robert R. Ratcliff, " Application Studies using the 3DOPT Integrated Design System", AIAA Applied Multi-disciplinary Optimization Conference, AIAA-98-4720, September 1998.
William W. Herling, Stephen T. LeDoux, Robert R. Ratcliff, David A. Treiber, and Matthew J. Warfield, " 3DOPT - An Integrated System for Aerodynamic Design Optimization", AIAA Applied Aerodynamics Conference, AIAA-98-2514, June 1998.
Ratcliff, R.R. and Carlson, L.A., "Direct-Inverse Transonic Wing-Design Method in Curvilinear Coordinates Including Viscous Interaction", Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 28, No. 12, Dec. 1991, p. 803-804.
Ratcliff, R.R. and Carlson, L.A., "Direct-Inverse Transonic Wing-Design Method in Curvilinear Coordinates Including Viscous-Interaction", presented at the AIAA Applied Aerodynamics Conference, Seattle, Washington, August 1, 1989.
Carlson, L.A., Ratcliff, R.R., Gally, T. A., "Inverse Wing Design In Transonic Flow Including Viscous Interaction", presented at the Transonic Symposium, NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia, April 19-21, 1988, NASA CP-3020, Vol. I, Part 2, p. 497.
