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Kevin R. James - Resume

Kevin R. James

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🎯 Professional Vision

Inspiring transformative change by empowering organizations and individuals to achieve their fullest potential.

With a vision for a more connected, innovative, and sustainable world, I combine systems thinking, strategic leadership, and technical expertise to deliver impactful solutions. As a seasoned professional in systems engineering, software development, and project management, I excel in designing innovative systems, optimizing workflows, and mentoring teams to drive continuous improvement. My mission is to tackle complex challenges, align projects with strategic goals, and create lasting value for communities and industries globally.

📜 Professional Certifications

  • Architecture of Complex Systems — MIT XPRO, 03/2021
  • Leadership At All Levels — MIT XPRO, 05/2020
  • Data Science and Big Data Analytics — MIT XPRO, 06/2020

🎓 Education

  • Rice University
    M.S. Engineering Leadership & Management | Data Science Specialization (Expected May 2025)
    Relevant Coursework: Product Management, Project Management, Data Visualization, Engineering Leadership, Engineering Ethics

  • University of Oklahoma
    M.S. Electrical & Computer Engineering | 2009
    Thesis: Travel Time Prediction in Sparse Sensor Networks

  • Southern University and A&M College
    B.S. Computer Science | 2005

💡 Core Competencies

Product/Project Management

  • Strategic Planning & Roadmapping: Defining product and project roadmaps aligned with business goals.
  • Requirements Gathering & Prioritization: Engaging stakeholders to identify needs and prioritize feature development.
  • Risk Management & Mitigation: Proactively identifying and addressing potential risks to ensure project success.
  • Agile & Lean Methodologies: Expertise in Scrum, Kanban, and Lean practices to optimize project delivery and team efficiency.
  • Stakeholder Engagement & Communication: Building strong relationships and maintaining clear communication with all project stakeholders.

Full Development Lifecycle

  • SDLC Management: Comprehensive knowledge of each SDLC phase, from initial planning through deployment and maintenance.
  • Automated Testing & Continuous Integration (CI/CD): Implementing CI/CD pipelines to enhance release quality and frequency.
  • Requirements Engineering: Structuring and managing detailed technical and functional requirements.
  • Quality Assurance & Code Review: Ensuring product quality and maintainability through rigorous testing and peer reviews.
  • Documentation & Knowledge Transfer: Creating and managing clear documentation to support handoffs and long-term project sustainability.

Architecture of Complex Systems

  • System Design & Architecture: Designing scalable, modular, and resilient architectures to handle complex requirements.
  • Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE): Utilizing MBSE techniques and tools (e.g., Cameo) for detailed system modeling and traceability.
  • Integration & Interoperability: Ensuring system components work seamlessly within broader architectures and with external systems.
  • Performance Optimization: Enhancing system performance through efficient algorithms, architecture, and resource management.
  • Compliance & Standards: Ensuring systems adhere to industry standards (e.g., DO-178C) and regulatory requirements.

Leadership

  • Team Development & Mentorship: Guiding and developing team members to reach their full potential.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Working effectively with diverse teams, from engineering to business stakeholders.
  • Decision-Making & Problem-Solving: Making informed decisions and solving complex issues under pressure.
  • Change Management: Leading teams through change, ensuring alignment, and minimizing disruption.
  • Vision & Goal Setting: Setting clear objectives aligned with the organization's mission and driving towards achievement.

👔 Professional Experience

The Boeing Company – Houston, TX

Lead Engineer, Automation and Software Engineering | 2021 – Present

  • Implemented multithreading in data processing workflows, optimizing resource utilization across CPU cores and achieving a 50% improvement in processing time.
  • Designed thread-safe, concurrent systems using synchronization techniques (locks, semaphores) to ensure stability and prevent race conditions.
  • Led requirements sessions with cross-functional teams, implementing scalable architectures that reduced development time by 40% and saved 80 hours of manual work per week.
  • Mentored a team of junior engineers, introducing modern development practices and frameworks.

Lead Simulation Software Engineer, Starliner CST-100 Simulation Training Systems | 2021 – 2022

  • Developed a multithreaded simulation architecture, distributing tasks across cores to reduce latency and enable real-time response, resulting in a 40% reduction in simulation lag time.
  • Created a remote simulation infrastructure, cutting response time from over 3 hours to 1 hour and saving over $500,000 in costs.

Lead, Distributed Real-Time Control Systems for SLS | 2017 – 2021

  • Developed a DO-178C compliant control system for NASA’s Green Run Test, achieving rapid response times and reducing operational risks by 65%.
  • Applied multithreading in real-time systems to enhance responsiveness and reliability in critical testing scenarios.

SAIC – Oklahoma City, OK

Software Engineer, Federal Aviation Administration | 2013 – 2016

  • Developed air traffic control software with C#, utilizing multithreading to handle concurrent flight data processing, improving system throughput.
  • Reduced the bug backlog by 40% through implementation of architectural best practices.
  • Designed and tested concurrent data handling modules to improve system scalability and responsiveness.

NOAA – Engineering Intern | 2009 – 2011

  • Assisted with developing requirement specifications, concept definitions, cost analysis, and performance trade-offs for various FPGA system architectures, assessing the feasibility of converting legacy analog radar technologies to digital systems.
  • Generated parts lists, component specifications, Interface I/O documentation, electrical schematics, and functional simulations to support FPGA-based radar system development using Xilinx Spartan 6 FPGA and VHDL.
  • Contributed to the development of the NEXRAD system bus interface and Analog-to-Digital signal processing algorithms using Xilinx Spartan 6 FPGA and VHDL technology.
  • Analyzed electrical schematics for radar systems, soldered and repaired analog circuits, and performed circuit analysis using multimeters and Analog/Digital Oscilloscopes, ensuring hardware met schematic specifications.

🤝 Professional Memberships & Volunteer Experience

  • Vice President, NSBE Houston Professionals (2024-25) – Leading strategic initiatives in professional development and outreach.
  • Member: NSBE, IEEE, ACM
  • Volunteer: Boeing Mentorship Program, Habitat for Humanity, NSBE STEM Outreach