1. Oliver Spires
7940 S. Glasgow St., Tucson, AZ 85747 (850) 240-1897 ojspires@email.arizona.edu
Experienced flightline avionics tech seeking to repurpose fast-paced technological problem-solving skills into
a new career in optical engineering. Areas of interest include test and design in aerospace, large telescopes,
and illumination.
SKILLS & TRAINING
Trained on proper cleanroom, antistatic, and laser safety protocol
OSC Practical Optics Workshops: Interferometry Workshop and Lens Cleaning Workshop
Security clearance eligible (US Citizen; held DoD Secret between 2002-2008)
Software: MS Office, MS Project, SolidWorks, Inventor, CodeV, TracePro, Final Cut Pro
Programming environments: MATLAB, LabView, CNC G-code
Basic circuit design and troubleshooting, interfacing stepper motors and actuators
Precision measurement/test equipment: ZYGO VeriFire, CMM, PSM, power meters, oscilloscopes, etc.
EDUCATION
BS, Optical Science and Engineering, University of Arizona, GPA = 3.7 / 4.0 2012 – 2016
Opto-Mechanics Track, Mathematics Minor, Graduating May 2016
AAS, Avionics Systems Technology, Community College of the Air Force 2007
PROJECTS
 Opto-Mechanics Lab: encoded interferometer rail system, automated CGH inspection adapter,
DKIST primary mirror subsystems: networked stepper controller for 4m tip/tilt system, SMR-placement
tool for CGH alignment, breadboard interferometer to test Interferometer-Assembly Mount.
 Senior Design: illumination subassembly of polarization ice detection camera system: modeled in
TracePro and SolidWorks, designed and assembled its electronics.
 Optical Systems Engineering (OPTI424): marble sorting machine working based on difference in
transmitted light intensity between different colors, frequency and waveform-detecting system for
locating a randomly-placed pulsed LED in a large field
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Student Engineer, OSC Opto-Mechanics Lab, University of Arizona 2013 - Present
 Lead design engineer on several projects, detailed in Projects section. Held design reviews and
documented design procedures.
 Cleanroom upkeep, and minor assembly on OSIRIS-REx PolyCam
 Wrote usage and test procedures for optics test equipment: CMM, PSM, Lens-Centering Station, ZYGO
VeriFire and White Light Interferometers
 Machinist: manual and CNC milling, lathe, etc.
Avionics Technician, Bombardier Customer Services, Tucson, AZ 2011 - 2014
 Depot maintenance of Canadair Regional Jets’ aircraft: modifications, troubleshooting, & testing
Avionics Technician, Sikorsky Global Helicopters, Coatesville, PA 2010
 Completions on S-92 helicopters - installation of avionics and customer options
Aircraft Avionics Specialist, Alsalam Aircraft Co., Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 2008 - 2010
 Performed avionics modification installation on Royal Saudi Air Force F-15C/S fleet
F-15 Avionics First-line Supervisor, USAF: RAF Lakenheath, UK & Eglin AFB, FL 2006 - 2008
 Trained F-15 Avionics Technicians, performed pre- and post-flight troubleshooting, supervised shift
maintenance operations, monitored communications security program

2. EMPLOYMENT HISTORY (continued)
F-15C/D/E Avionics Technician, US Air Force: Nellis AFB, NV, RAF Lakenheath, & Eglin AFB
 2001 - 2008: Replaced, modified, aligned, serviced, and tested avionics systems including automatic flight
controls, optical and FLIR targeting pods, video/data recorders & sensors, air data and navigation systems.
 2003 - 2004, 2005-2007: Monitored Aircraft Structural Integrity program
 2005 - 2007: Lead flight controls/instruments tech: certified training and managed shifts
 2004 - 2005: Maintained Technical Data library, Precision Measurement Equipment calibration, and
Building Custodian programs
HONORS AND ACTIVITIES
Honors: Dean’s List with Distinction (2 semesters), Dean’s List (1 semester), Academic Year Academic
Distinction (1 year), Honorable Mention (3 semesters)
Member of Board of Directors, Freethought Arizona, 501c3 educational organization
Planning Committee for Optics Fun Day, designed and built one demo and worked on another
Tau Sigma National Honor Society member
Member, OSA
OTHER APPLICABLE SKILLS AND TRAINING
Fluent in French, Competent in Spanish
Studied abroad, 11 months in Chambéry, France
Completed Leadership and Management, Managerial Communications, and Total Quality Management
Classes at Mathies Airman Leadership School, RAF Feltwell, UK, December 2005