My Work
Skyborne Technologies
At Skyborne Technologies, I've thrived in a fast-paced R&D environment surrounded by brilliant minds who push me to expand my capabilities daily. My role spans across multiple technical domains, giving me the creative freedom to tackle diverse challenges.
My proudest achievement has been leading the ISTAR Mugin project for Defence Science and Technical Group. Starting with bare Mugin 350 airframes and a collection of components (flight controllers, PDBs, ESCs, motors, and navigation systems), I designed the entire wiring installation and developed comprehensive schematics to integrate all systems. The biggest challenge was creating three fully serviceable aircraft under tight time constraints.
After successful field trials where I served as both safety pilot and technical support during defense exercises, I got the opportunity to strip the aircraft and rebuild them to meet my higher workmanship standards – creating a more maintainable and reliable platform.
I work extensively with Kicad for electrical schematics, integrate optical systems including LIDAR, design custom flight controllers and power distribution boards, and implement various propulsion and control systems. I've also become the lead technical documentation writer, creating the essential manuals and procedures for our specialized UAV platforms.
What I value most at Skyborne is the autonomy to pursue creative solutions and continuously learn new skills. No two days are alike, and there's always an opportunity to explore new technologies and approaches if you're hungry for knowledge.
Cobham Aviation Services Australia
At Cobham Aviation Services, I transitioned from the structured military environment of Bristow into the dynamic world of R&D for mission-critical systems. Working on the Australian Border Force's Coastwatch fleet of Bombardier Dash-8 aircraft and Bombardier Challenger 604 opened up new creative possibilities that fundamentally changed my approach to aviation electronics.
My responsibilities centered around designing and troubleshooting sophisticated mission systems including optical sensors, power distribution networks, communication radios, and weather radar installations. The environment was fast-paced, with technical documentation constantly evolving as requirements shifted which was a stark contrast to my previous military work.
One of my proudest achievements was developing the video distribution unit for the aircraft. I had complete ownership of the project, selecting components and creating the electrical schematic that allowed video signals from various mission systems to be dynamically displayed across multiple screens. This gave operators crucial flexibility during surveillance operations.
Another technical highlight came when I needed to integrate an obsolete VHF radio system with newer equipment. I designed a custom VHF radio programmer using an Arduino and C++, which automatically configured the radio at power-up. This project sparked my passion for programming and opened my eyes to how software could solve complex hardware challenges.
The retrofitting work for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority's search and rescue aircraft brought unique challenges—coordinating with defence personnel, adapting to changing requirements, and ensuring every system worked flawlessly in critical situations. These high-stakes projects taught me to maintain precision while working under pressure, a skill that continues to serve me today.
Cobham marked a pivotal shift in my career, from following rigid protocols to embracing innovation and creative problem-solving—a transition that perfectly aligned with my natural inclinations as an Aerospace Specialist.
Bristow Defence Industries
My aviation journey took a significant turn when I joined Bristow Defence Industries in Oakey, QLD as an apprentice. Fresh from earning my private pilot's license in South Africa, I was eager to channel my passion for aviation into a technical career, specifically in avionics due to my natural affinity for electronic systems.
At Bristow, I was immersed in the demanding world of military helicopter maintenance, working on Republic of Singapore Air Force aircraft. My responsibilities quickly grew to include flight-line maintenance (conducting critical pre and post-flight checks), avionics fault diagnosis and rectification, and eventually deep maintenance involving comprehensive system inspections.
The experience was invaluable—I learned to troubleshoot complex avionics issues under pressure, perform complete system overhauls, and understand the intricate relationship between electronic systems and flight safety. Working in a military aviation environment taught me rigorous attention to detail and the importance of procedural discipline—skills that continue to serve me in every technical role.