Joseph M. Lafata is a highly experienced aerospace professional with over 25 years in avionics and systems engineering, seeking a permanent position to apply his extensive technical skills. His background includes project management, quality assurance, and systems integration across various military and civilian aircraft, along with adherence to FAA regulations. Lafata has held multiple consultant roles with prominent companies, showcasing expertise in avionics software, flight tests, and engineering documentation.

1. (321) 427-2200 Joseph M. LaFata JMLaFata1@gmail.com
SUMMARY Well experienced and dedicated professional with over 25 years of avionics and field systems
engineering, technical aviation, quality management, leadership and training experience in the
aerospace industry. Pursuing a permanent position to utilize my skills of avionics, flight test,
leadership, and customer quality acceptance of system requirements within your company.
• Engineer / Management Titles: Avionics / Flight Test / Systems Integration / Field Service / Test / Quality / Safety
• Federal Aviation Administration Regulations: FAR 14 CFR Parts: 21, 23 25, 29, 39, 43, 121, 145
• Airworthiness Directives (Ads) / OEM Service Bulletins / Airline Technical Operations and Support Systems
• Project Management / Leadership of Team Members / Technical Database / Aircraft OEM Components
• Avionics Aircraft Systems / Defect Analysis / Troubleshooting / Modifications / Installation / Final Testing
• Train Team Members / Training Programs / Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
• QA Certifications/Standards: ISO 9001/AS9100 / AS9110 / DO-178B / DO-160 / DO-260B / DO-317 / DO-181
• Software: DOORS / SAP / SLATE / ClearCase / ClearQuest / ARINC 429 / Six Sigma / Labview / PowerPoint / Visio
• Military Standards/Mil-Specs: 470B / 471A / 472 / 882 /ARP-4754A / IPC-A-610
• Multiple Aircrafts: Flight Test / Check-Out / Instrumentation / Maintenance / Avionics / Electrical / Mechanical
• Security Clearance: “Secret” - Department of Defense / FAA Medical Certificate Class III / Passport Operative
• Overseas Operative / Customers: Japan / Saudi Arabia / Taiwan / Philippines / Hong Kong / Micronesia Islands
• United States Coast Guard Veteran - Honorable Discharge 09/1982 - 08/1987
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Project Manager / Lead Systems Field Engineer - Independent Consultant (small business owner) 06/2003 - Present
Create client contracts and managed projects with assigned staff. Planned corporate and private programs organizations.
Maintained quality management. Budget responsibility. Supervised and direct customer programs, including logistics
operations and subcontractors. Integrated photographic with project requirements.
• Customer Quality Management
Lockheed Martin / Orlando, Florida 03/2016 - 05/2016
Systems Test Engineer III - Consultant; short-term contract
Support flight simulation programs. Designs, develops, and implements testing methods and equipment. Performs
system integration and verification of simulators to ensure all customer requirements are met. Performs Customer
Acceptance Tests on simulators. Perform installation at various sites both CONUS and OCUNUS to ensure that
simulators are properly installed, tested and accepted.
• F-35 Aircraft Flight Management System Simulators
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation / Stratford, Connecticut 11/2012 - 12/2012
Senior Avionics Systems Integration Engineer - Consultant; short-term contract - holiday assistance
Performed avionics software requirements on Flight Management Systems by following acceptance test procedures
in developed avionics laboratory Civil/Military applications. Avionics Integration, Requirements Analysis,
Allocated Systems / Subsystems Integration.
• S70i International Military Blackhawk Program
Avenger Aircraft and Services / Auburn, Maine 04/2011 - 07/2011
Lead - Systems Integration Engineer - Consultant; short-term contract - over-budget
Responsible of fuel, hydraulic, flight controls and oxygen flight systems. System Layout, Configuration, Parts,
Testing, Procedures, and Systems Validation. Review engineering drawings, specifications and FAA Certification
documents. Interacted with customer effectively and deliver business presentations.
• L1649 Lockheed Superstar Constellation Aircraft - Lufthansa Restoration Project
PE Systems - Wright-Patterson Air Force Base / Dayton, Ohio 04/2010 - 06/2010
Subject Matter Expert - Engineer/Technical - Consultant, home-based; project complete
Review engineering and maintenance documentation. Composed draft recommendations to pass FAA
Certification and reviewed Mil-Hdbk-516 Maintenance Procedures. Flight Test Operations, Functional Systems,
Systems Checkout, Validate Test Plans. Interacted with customer effectively and deliver business presentations.
• Global Hawk CRJ4 Aircrafts / Bombardier Global Express / Lear Jets / Orion * BACN (Battlefield Airborne Communications Node)

2. BAE Systems - Electronics & Integrated Systems / Nashua, New Hampshire 11/2008 - 03/2009
Systems Integration Field Engineer - Consultant; short-term contract
System Test Engineering on state-of-the-art ECM/Sat-Com/Radar Systems using infrared, millimeter-wave, and
laser technologies to design and fabricate missile seekers, guided munitions and target designators. Test, repair,
modify, maintained, troubleshoot components and assemblies. Flight Test Operations / Functional Systems
Checkout. Interacted with customer effectively and deliver business presentations.
• Beech Aircrafts: C12 / RC12 / UC35 * AAR-57 Common Missile Warning System
• ATIRCM Advanced Threat Infrared Counter-measures
Boeing - Space Shuttle Operations / John F. Kennedy Space Center, Florida 11/2007 - 08/2008
Systems Integration Engineer - Consultant; project complete
Prepared baseline configuration, interface control and compliance verification. Implemented requirements to
design features and specifications, includes create and wrote controlled documents. Analyzed test data.
Interacted with customer effectively and deliver business presentations.
• NASA: Space Shuttle Orbiters / Solid Rocket Boosters / External Tank
United Space Alliance / John F. Kennedy Space Center, Florida 05/2007 - 11/2007
Electrical Power Systems Specialist - NASA Space Shuttle Orbiters - Consultant; project complete
Performed electrical and mechanical functional power testing. Performed maintenance and power systems
Inspections. Installed integrated hardware. Troubleshoot electrical power and mechanical systems, along with
validation, modification according to maintenance procedures. Engineer Associate
Interacted with customer effectively and deliver business presentations.
• NASA: Space Shuttle Support Operations
Aircraft Engineering & Installation Services / Orlando, Florida 04/2007 - 05/2007
Quality Assurance Manager
Implemented quality assurance procedures. Performed inspections, audits and managed preventative actions.
Analyzed failure analysis and perform engineering change reviews. Verified test operations, validated and record
test data. OSHA / Safety Regulations / Configuration Management / ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems
Interacted with customer effectively and deliver business presentations.
• Government Contracts: Corporate Aviation
Northrop Grumman - Integrated Systems / Melbourne, Florida 12/2004 - 03/2005
Flight Test Engineer - STARS Program - Consultant; project complete
Flight Test / Test, repair, modify, and trouble-shoot components and assemblies of aircraft instrumentation systems.
Performed installation of field modifications, Pre-Flight Checks, Ground Test Operations and Flight Test Operations.
Interacted with customer effectively and deliver business presentations.
• STARS Program / USAF: E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar Systems
Cessna Citation Service Center / Orlando, Florida 12/2003 - 05/2004
Avionics Systems Specialist - Flight Line - Consultant; short-term contract
Operational checks, troubleshooting and repairs of avionics and electrical systems. Installation, modifications and
maintenance of avionics flight hardware, wire assemblies, functional checks. Perform ground and flight-test
procedures. Engineer Associate.
Pre-Flight Checks / Post Flight Checks / Flight Line Operations / Customer Relations.
FAA Regulations FAR 14 CFR Part: 21, 23, 25, 29, 39, 43, and 145
• Avionics Instrumentation Systems - Corporate Aircrafts & Helicopters:
• Bell, Cessna, Citation, Challenger, Falcon, Gulfstream, Hawker, Lear, Piper, Sikorsky
ITT - Space-lift Range Systems Division / Patrick Air Force Base, Florida 11/2001 - 06/2002
Quality Assurance Specialist
Inspections of hardware and software integrated systems testing. Validate software test plans. Interface of software
development group and process. Develop test data and specific test acceptance criteria /Support Software
Configuration Management. ISO 9001 Quality Management System and performed Audits / Engineer Associate
Interface Computer Software Applications / Customer Relations
• Department of Defense: Range Safety Systems / Sat-Com

3. Dynacs Engineering / John F. Kennedy Space Center, Florida 07/2001 - 11/2001
Quality Assurance Engineer / Safety Engineer - Consultant; project complete
Inspections of systems hardware and test facility operations. Maintained Quality Assurance/Safety procedures and
perform audits. Failure Analysis and engineering change reviews. Analyze statistical data and establish quality
reliability objectives of finished product. Involve in test operations, evaluating, validate and record test data.
Interface Computer Software Applications / OSHA Safety Regulations.
ISO 9001 Quality Management System / Customer Relations
• NASA Launch Equipment Test Facility / Engineering Development Laboratory
United Space Alliance / John F. Kennedy Space Center, Florida 05/2000 - 05/2001
Electrical Flight Systems Specialist - NASA Space Shuttle Orbiters
Orbiter Flight Systems and Ground Test Operations. Test, repair, install, modify, troubleshoot flight hardware
components and assemblies in Flight, Avionics, Electrical and Instrumentation Systems.
Pre-Flight Checks / Flight Test Operations / Recovery Operations / Engineer Associate
Interface Computer software applications / Customer Relations
• NASA Space Shuttle Orbiters - OPF / VAB / Pad Operations
Lockheed Martin - Naval Electronic Surveillance Systems / Riviera Beach, Florida 08/1999 - 05/2000
Lead - Quality Assurance Specialist - Consultant; short-term contract
Lead Inspections of systems hardware and integrated systems testing. Develop test data and predefines specific test
acceptance criteria. Validate software test plans. Failure Analysis and engineering change reviews. Analyze
statistical data and product specifications to determine quality reliability objectives of finished product.
Lead Quality Assurance Team in performances and procedural documentation / audits.
ISO 9001 Quality Management System / OSHA Safety Regulations / Engineer Associate
Interface Computer Software Applications / Customer Relations
• Department of Defense: ORCA / RMS / AMNS / Remote Minehunting Vehicles
Jet Aviation - FBO / West Palm Beach International Airport, Florida 04/1998 - 08/1999
Avionics Flight Systems Specialist - Consultant; project complete
Operational checks, troubleshooting and repairs of avionics and electrical systems. Installation, modifications and
maintenance of avionics flight hardware, wire assemblies, functional checks. Perform ground and flight-test
procedures / Engineer Associate.
Pre-Flight Checks / Post Flight Checks / Flight Line Operations / Customer Relations
FAA Regulations FAR 14 CFR Part: 21, 23, 25, 29, 39, 43, and 145
• Avionics Instrumentation Systems - Corporate Aircrafts & Helicopters:
• Bell, Cessna, Citation, Challenger, Falcon, Gulfstream, Hawker, Lear, Piper, Sikorsky
Rockwell Collins International / Cedar Rapids, Iowa 01/1998 - 03/1998
Avionics Test Engineer - Consultant; short-term contract
Functional test state of the art avionics systems, along with supporting the integration. Development testing and
FAA Certification on aircraft at the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) with Proline Fusion integration and
support on integrated modular avionics systems. Write test procedures of implementation, validation of flight
hardware. Perform analysis, assessments, documentations and verifications of flight hardware.
Interface Computer Software Applications / Customer Relations
• Research & Development: State-of-the-Art Avionics Instrumentation Components
• DO178B, DO254, DO160 Documentation and Knowledgeable
Saudi Aramco / Dhahran, Saudi Arabia 11/1997 - 12/1997
Avionics Flight Systems Engineer - Boeing 737 / DeHavilland-8 Aircraft - Consultant; project complete
Modification and installations of Flight Systems. Troubleshoot and repair avionics and electrical systems.
Flight Systems Functional Checkout / Engineer Associate
FAA Regulations FAR 14 CFR Part: 21, 25, 29, 39, 43, and 145 / Customer Relations
• Boeing 737 / DeHavilland-8 Aircraft

4. Boeing - Space Systems / Huntsville, Alabama 07/1997 - 11/1997
Electrical/Mechanical Flight Systems Specialist - NASA ISS - Consultant; project complete
Operational checks, troubleshooting and repairs of avionics, electrical, mechanical and fiber-optic systems.
Installation and maintenance of flight hardware and wiring assemblies and mechanical systems.
Flight Systems Test Operations
Interface Computer Software Applications / Engineer Associate / Customer relations
• NASA International Space Station: Laboratory Module “Destiny”
Orbital / Dulles, Virginia 03/1997 - 07/1997
Quality Assurance Specialist - NASA / Department of Defense
Inspection of systems hardware and integrated systems testing. Develop test data and predefines specific test
acceptance criteria. Validate software test plans. Failure Analysis and engineering change reviews. Analyze
statistical data and product specifications to determine quality reliability objectives of finished product.
Test operations, evaluating and record test data. Performed Audits / Configuration Management /
Engineer Associate / ISO 9001 Quality Management System / OSHA Safety Regulations
Interface Computer Software Applications / Customer Relations
• NASA / Department of Defense: X34 / PEGASUS / TAURUS Programs
Gulfstream Aerospace / Savannah, Georgia 08/1996 - 03/1997
Flight Test Specialist/Engineer - Gulfstream GV Corporate Aircrafts - Consultant; project complete
Flight Test/Ground Operations. Test, repair, modify, troubleshoot components and assemblies of aircraft
instrumentation systems, radar systems. Installation of field modifications.
Pre-Flight Checks / Flight Test Operations
Interface Computer Software Applications / Customer Relations / Engineer Associate
FAA Regulations FAR 14 CFR Part: 21, 25, 29, 39, 43, and 145
• Gulfstream GV Corporate Aircrafts
McDonald Douglas Aerospace / St. Louis, Missouri 07/1996 - 08/1996
Electrical Flight Systems Specialist - USAF F/A-18 - Consultant; advancement
Operational checks, modifications, troubleshooting and repairs of avionics and electrical systems. Performs a variety
of installation and maintenance of avionics flight hardware and wiring assemblies.
Functional Test Operations / Engineer Associate
FAA Regulations FAR 14 CFR Part: 21, 25, 29, 39, 43, and 145
• United States Air Force: Military Aircrafts: F/A-18
SubMicron Systems / Allentown, Pennsylvania 04/1995 - 07/1996
Lead - Systems Test Engineer / Field Service Engineer - International
Lead Semi-conductor tests and wet benches systems integration checkout. Validate test reports of hardware and
software configurations. Electronic, Electrical and Mechanical Functional Systems Checkout
Interface Computer Software Applications / Customer Relations
• GAMA Computer Robotic Modules - State-of-the-Art Silicon Wafers
Lockheed Martin - Information Systems / Orlando, Florida 06/1994 - 04/1995
Quality Assurance Inspector - CASS Program - Consultant; project complete
First Article Inspections of systems hardware and integrated systems testing. Analyze statistical data and product
specifications to determine quality reliability objectives of finished product. Test operations, evaluating and record
test data. OSHA Safety Regulations and performed Audits / Engineer Associate
Interface computer software applications. Configuration Management
ISO 9001 Quality Management System / Customer - Supplier Relations
• Department of Defense: CASS - Consolidated Automated Support System

5. Northrop Corporation - Advanced Systems Division / Palmdale, California 10/1990 - 04/1993
Electrical Flight Systems Specialist - B2 Stealth Bomber Aircrafts
Flight Systems and Ground Test Operations. Test, repair, install, modify, troubleshoot flight hardware components
and assemblies in Flight, Avionics, Electrical and Instrumentation Systems.
Functional Systems Checkout Flight Operations
Interface Computer software applications / Engineer Associate / Customer Relations
• United State Air Force / Department of Defense: B2 Stealth Bomber Aircrafts
Thiokol Corporation / John F. Kennedy Space Center, Florida 04/1990 - 9/1990
Electrical Flight Systems Technician/Retrieval Diver - NASA Solid Rocket Boosters
Operational checks, troubleshooting and repairs of avionics and electrical flight systems.
Installation and modifications of avionics flight hardware / Engineer Associate
Flight Systems Functional Test Operations / Retrieval Diver Operations
Interface Computer software applications / Customer Relations
• NASA Solid Rocket Boosters / External Tanks / Retrieval Ships
Lockheed Space Operation Company / John F. Kennedy Space Center, Florida 03/1988 - 12/1989
Electrical Flight Systems Technician - NASA Space Shuttle Orbiters
Orbiter Flight Systems and Ground Test Operations. Test, repair, install, modify, troubleshoot flight hardware
components and assemblies in Flight, Avionics, Electrical and Instrumentation Systems.
Pre-Flight Checks / Flight Test Operations / Recovery Operations / Engineer Associate
Interface Computer software applications / Customer Relations
• NASA Space Shuttle Orbiters - OPF / VAB / Pad Operations
Department of Transportation / United States Coast Guard 09/1982 - 08/1987
Engineer: Ship/Land / Crewman / Law Enforcement Boarding Officer / Emergency Medical Technician
Ships/Shore Installations, maintenance, repair and management of sophisticated electrical, electronic and
mechanical equipment. Power generation, distribution, control and monitoring. AC/DC motors, Programmable logic
controllers. Performed boarding’s on vessels to comply with Federal Laws and Safety Regulations. Station Medical
Representative - documentation, procedures and logistics. Patrol Boats / Buoy Tender Ship / Shore Stations
• Ponce De Leon Inlet Small Lifeboat Station - New Smyrna Beach, Florida
• USCGC Basswood (Buoy Tender) - Agana, Guam: South Pacific Micronesia Islands, Philippines, and Japan
• USCG Group Monterey - Monterey, California
EDUCATION University of Central Florida: Orlando, Florida / Bachelor of Science - Aerospace Engineer
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University: Daytona Beach, Florida / Associate Science
DBCC / BCC: Community Colleges: Daytona / Cocoa, Florida / Associate Science
NASA: John F. Kennedy Space Center, Florida - 120 Engineer / Orbiter Certifications
USCG Electrician Class A School: Yorktown, Virginia / Graduate with Distinction
USCG Emergency Medical Technician Class C School: Petaluma, California
CERTIFIED Avionics / Electrical / Mechanical Flight Systems: NASA Space Shuttle/B2 Bomber Aircrafts
Cockpit Spacecraft Operator: NASA Space Shuttle Orbiters/ B2 Stealth Bomber Aircrafts
Pyrotechnic Flight Systems: NASA Space Shuttle Orbiters / B2 Stealth Bomber Aircrafts
Fiber-Optic Systems: NASA International Space Station / Unmanned Underwater Vehicles
Ship / Boat / Land Electrical Engineer / Law Enforcement Boarding Officer: U.S. Coast Guard
National Registered Emergency Medical Technician – Ambulance
CPR - BCLS/ACLS Instructor: American Heart Association License
MIL-STD-2000A Solder Circuitry: USCG / NASA
Open Water Diver – PADI
State of Florida - Notary Public
HONORS Letters of Commendation: Engineering / Operational / Technical
Outstanding Performance Awards
Central Floridian of the Week - Citizen Distinguish AwardSQA Standard Certifications / Engineering / Reviews / Configuration Management / Assessments / Government / Regulations /Communication / Presentation / Specification / Readiness / RCCA / Documentation / Traceability / Supervisor / Implementation / Measurements / Procedures / FAA Schematics / Fly-by-wire / Inspection / CAP / Functional Checks / Troubleshoot / ASME / Techniques / Test Requirements / Compliance / Reliability / Blueprints / Line Maintenance / Diagnostics / Statistics / Hardware / Sourcing / Flight Operation / Research / Liaison / Logistics Team /
Leadership / Interface / Manual / Integrity / Test Reports / Evaluation / Policy / Evaluate / Test Plans / Monitor / Analyze / Audit / Testing / SAP-CRM / Depot / Methods / / OSHA-MSDS / ANSI / Passport / Sat-Com / Operative / FAA / Overseas / Secret Security Clearance / Travel / Develop / Equipment / Verification / Validation