Syncopated Systems®
Comprehensive Computer Technology Solutions
Recreate reality™ with OddGods.com

John R. Carlsen

(512) 698-4310

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< http://www.syncopate.us/contact >

Objective

To continue delivering exceptional value developing remarkable computer-related products and a quality-driven organization through long-term employment in or near Austin, Texas or Palo Alto, California

Core Skills

Extremely strong analytical, diagnostic and problem-solving skills, demonstrating ability to adapt quickly to diverse and rapidly-changing business, social and technical challenges, to work independently and to perform research (primary and secondary), synthesizing new ideas and communicating results

Computer software development – BSCS degree plus >3 full years experience (1990-present):
  • C (1 year, 1993-1996) and C++ (1.25 years, 2003-present) with OOP, MFC, multi-threading, XML
  • GNU, Unix, Windows, Visual Studio and many other languages, operating systems, tools
  • cross-platform/embedded development, GUIs, file and device I/O, parsing
Computer hardware development – >9 full years experience spanning 20 years (1988-2008):
  • Circuit and PLD design, bring-up, analysis, remediation, documentation (3 years, 1988-2008)
  • Component engineering, qualification and purchasing, BOM and AVL creation (1989-2008)
  • PCB layout and verification, outsourcing fabrication and compliance testing (2 years, 1991-2005)
  • IC layout and verification of sub-micron custom CMOS (3 years, 1996-1999)
Business – BBA and AA degrees plus >5 full years experience (1983-present) as independent contractor

Education

St. Edward's University (Austin, TX) 2001-2003
Computer Science BS and Management BBA degrees: double major, NSF scholarship recipient
De Anza College (Cupertino, CA) 1991-1993 & 1997-2000
AA degrees in Accounting, Business Administration, General Studies, Liberal Arts, Technical Communication; earned Marketing Management and Tax Practitioner certifications
Also studied Engineering at San José State University, Interpersonal Skills at Summit Workshops, Japanese at Austin Community College

Career Highlights

Syncopated Systems (TX) 2003-present
Created and operated corporation, provided outsourced engineering services to clients including:
  • Georgetown Rail Equipment Co. (Georgetown, TX): Created architecture, hardware and multi-threaded software for large-scale portable real-time wireless industrial control system to quickly replenish railroad ballast, from conceptual and prototype development through post-deployment support and updates (using C++, EIA-232, GDI, GPS, MDI, MFC, STL, UML, USB, XML, Windows-based notebook PCs with touch screens)
  • ionDesign (Austin, TX): Corrected hardware design and BOMs, added new feature, supported manufacturing for major supplier of processor upgrade kits for PowerPC-based Apple computers; created prototype circuits for MP3-based satellite radio receiver and others
  • Sony Computer Entertainment (Foster City, CA): Reporting to Commodore Amiga and Atari Lynx co-creator R.J. Mical, developed software for PlayStation Portable and pre-release PlayStation 3, assuring quality of BluRay and UMD disc interface optimization SDK and creating interactive software to demonstrate its performance
  • World Congress on Information Technology (Austin, TX): Created software to normalize records in large CRM database while protecting confidentiality of sensitive personal data of world and industry leaders contained therein; provided other IT support as needed
SigmaTel (Austin, TX) 2000-2001
Lone PCB Layout Designer, working closely with marketing VP, managers, CEO of >100 employees:
  • Designed printed circuits for all products including AC97, ADSL, IrDA and MP3 ICs
  • Created and revised reference and customer designs to reduce costs
  • Outsourced PCB fabrication, assembly and regulatory testing
Altera (San Jose, CA) 1996-1999
IC Layout Design Engineer:
  • Designed and verified custom sub-micron layout for large CPLD integrated circuits
  • Documented layout rules for new fabrication processes
  • Authored training program (with complete IC design exercise) and mentored college graduates
Iguana Entertainment/Acclaim Studios (CA and Austin, TX) 1991-1996
Lone engineer (as contractor 1991-1993) and de facto COO (1993-1996) reporting to CEO since inception, enabled video game software development and growth to >150 employees on 2 continents by:
  • Designing and manufacturing interchangeable software cross-development ICE interfaces between host PCs (including Amiga) and target video game consoles (analyzing/reverse-engineering systems including SNES and Sony PlayStation and designing extensive PCBs and PLD logic), additional hardware as needed
  • Creating Windows-based software resource editors and analysis tools in C
  • Evaluating, qualifying and purchasing electronic components and equipment for entire enterprise, evaluating and maintaining facilities, establishing operational policies and operations department
Media Vision (Fremont, CA) 1991-1992
Responsible for bring up, developmental and FCC regulatory compliance testing, manufacturing support of first CD-quality consumer PC sound cards and other audio/video devices by:
  • Designing extensive circuits, PLD logic, support software
  • Supervising PCB layout, Microsoft Windows with Multimedia Extensions first CD-ROM publication
  • Qualifying components and assemblies for purchase
Nolan Bushnell companies: Aapps, Axlon, Bots (CA) 1988-1989
On-site contractor to one of Silicon Valley's greatest entrepreneurs, developing hardware for:
  • First consumer PC television card, MacWorld Boston best-of-show product: Aapps MicroTV
  • Autonomous mobile robots delivering food and beverages to restaurant patrons
  • Point-of-sale order-entry system with embedded networked PCs, touch screens, ticket printers
Other employers include Atari, IBM (Almaden Research Center), Mediagenic (Activision/Infocom), Acclaim Coin-Operated Entertainment, Newisys, Nagle Research, Dell

Affiliations

Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), Bay Area ACM SIGGraph

IEEE, Central Texas Consultants Network web master, past Program Director of SJSU Student Chapter

International Game Developers Association (IGDA), Austin Game Developers (AGD)

Mathematical Association of America (MAA), Texas Section

Society for Technical Communication (STC)

References

Available immediately to qualified requesters