Stephen Stegall
Systems Engineering & Model and Simulation Lead
Multi-Agent Swarming • Distributed Mission Autonomy • Modeling & Simulation
Active DoD Security Clearance
Accomplished Systems Engineering and Simulation Lead offering over 15 years of professional experience focused on multi-agent swarming topologies, algorithm logic, and distributed mission autonomy. Possesses extensive technical knowledge in containerized environments and Linux-based systems. Demonstrated success in guiding multidisciplinary teams throughout the product lifecycle, encompassing everything from the rapid prototyping of UAS swarms to the field-testing and deployment of mission and safety-critical hardware-software interfaces.
Core Technical Competencies
Modeling, Simulation & Analysis
Physics & Sensor Phenomenology
Sensor phenomenology modeling at varying fidelities, frame transformations, targeting, and guidance systems.
SITL / HITL Integration
Real-time Software/Hardware-in-the-loop simulation integrating multi-degree-of-freedom autonomous agents.
Distributed Simulation (DIS)
Multi-threaded constructive, virtual, and live distributed simulation environments.
Operational Analysis
Mission effectiveness and operational trade studies (STK, MATLAB, AFSIM, NGTS).
Autonomy, Swarming & Robotics
Robotics Middleware
Robotics Operating System (ROS2), Behavior Trees, and DDS QoS tuning.
Flight Stacks & Simulation
ArduPilot, PX4 flight controllers, MAVLink telemetry protocol, and Gazebo.
Distributed Consensus
Fault-tolerant consensus algorithms and decentralized coordination for autonomous swarms.
Software Engineering & Systems
Programming Languages
Rust, C++, C, Python, C#, Fortran, Shell scripting.
HCI & UI Development
Human Computer Interface development with GTK, Qt, and XAML.
Secure Linux Environments
GNU/Linux development, hardening, and deployment in secure and classified enclaves.
ML / AI Algorithms
Integration of modern machine learning and autonomous decision-making algorithms.
Infrastructure & Protocols
Containerization & Virtualization
Rootless Podman, Docker, OpenShift, and VMWare enterprise virtualization.
Network & Comms Protocols
UDP, TCP, DDS (Data Distribution Service) real-time middleware.
Avionics Bus Standards
MIL-STD-1553, ARINC-429, and mission-critical deterministic serial protocols.
Numerical Methods & Control
Modern Control Theory
Linear and nonlinear control systems for atmospheric aircraft and spacecraft.
Optimization & Numerical Methods
Complex mathematical optimization and trajectory generation for multi-agent formations.
Systems Engineering & Hardware
Full Lifecycle Verification
Requirements derivation (SYS I–IV), V&V, and FAA safety-critical certification.
Prototyping & Fabrication
Additive manufacturing, precision machining, and custom PCB design.
Recent Technical Projects
Distributed Swarm Consensus Architecture
Rust • ROS2 • DDS • Behavior Trees
Developed fault-tolerant consensus mechanisms for multi-agent autonomous swarms utilizing Behavior Trees and DDS QoS tuning to maintain topological integrity and mission objectives during simulated communication degradation and packet loss.
Resilient Swarm Coordination in Contested Environments
Containerized ROS2 • Linux • Distributed Consensus
Built a containerized ROS2 simulation sandbox to validate autonomous fallback behaviors and dynamic leader-follower re-election during simulated comms denial and electronic warfare jamming.
Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) Swarm Orchestration
ROS2 • Sensor Fusion • Heterogeneous Agents
Engineered heterogeneous swarm orchestration algorithms under simulated high-intensity EW jamming and adversarial radar environments, coordinating sensor fusion and dynamic task allocation.
Professional Experience
Northrop Grumman Corporation
Systems Engineer, M&S Lead
2020 – Present
- Architected a seamless constructive-to-real-time simulation environment integrating cutting-edge autonomy on unmanned platforms for System-of-Systems (SoS) verification.
- Engineered an automated Monte-Carlo verification framework (C++ / Python) to rigorously validate non-deterministic autonomous behaviors, significantly reducing regression cycles for FAA Safety-Critical Certification.
- Led safety-critical SITL/HITL integration of ACAS Xu into operational flight programs, enabling landmark first deployments in cooperative national airspace.
- Directed full-lifecycle verification (SYS I–IV) for autonomous flight safety, translating complex algorithmic metrics into cleared operational envelopes.
- Consulted on enterprise-wide Detect and Avoid (DAA) and M&S accreditation efforts.
M&S Advanced Development Lead
2015 – 2020
- Led integration, testing, and evaluation of multi-platform and multi-site distributed constructive, virtual, and live (LVC) M&S efforts across engineering disciplines.
- Executed rapid model updates during live field integration events, swiftly diagnosing and resolving hardware-software interface anomalies to preserve high-visibility test windows.
Internal Innovation Challenges / Competitions Lead
2014 – 2017
- Directed cross-functional engineering teams (10–30 members) in the rapid design, development, and tactical deployment of heterogeneous autonomous UAS swarms for competitive challenges, consistently achieving top-tier ranking.
- Architected an edge distributed processing architecture utilizing NVIDIA Jetson, Raspberry Pi, and Pixhawk autopilots—offloading heavy computer vision and sensor fusion to preserve real-time compute loops for edge tactical execution.
Systems Engineer, M&S
2009 – 2015
- Analyzed algorithms and modeled complex sensor phenomenology to estimate system performance and trade sense-and-avoid capabilities for High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) platforms.
- Led comprehensive Verification and Validation (V&V) activities across diverse M&S asset suites.
- Authored mission/combat effectiveness analyses and tactical scenario simulations.
Consulting (Straight Up Imaging / Hi-Tech)
Autonomous Systems & Payload Integration Consultant
2016 – 2019
- Integrated diverse dynamic payload drivers for rapid sUAS concept development with focus on sensor stabilization and hot-swappable architectures.
- Leveraged small-board computers and system-on-module units (NVIDIA Jetson TX2, Raspberry Pi) to satisfy demanding onboard edge compute requirements.
Education & Academic Research
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
2009
M.S. & B.S. in Aerospace Engineering
Thesis: Formation Feedback Control of UAV Flight. M.S. Concentration in Aeronautics; B.S. Concentrations in Aeronautics and Astronautics with Minor in Mathematics. Core research focus in Modern Control Theory, Optimization, and Swarm Dynamics.