Thomas R. Johnson
Summary
Core
Competencies
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A hands-on technical developer with twenty years of information technology experience.
Primary focuses in solar, embedded systems, databases, Internet, and enterprise
systems. Able to work with the customer to formulate requirements, develop achievable
plans, marshal resources and execute designs to bring a product concept into reality.
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Experience
TJ800X @ gmail.com
Unique expertise in solar energy monitoring and control systems including
DNP3, AN-, IEC 61850, SunSpec, UL1741 and IEEE 1547.
Embedded Systems: Bare-Metal, C, bash, bootloaders, System V Init, I2C, SPI,
serial, RS485, timers, PWM, Modbus, TCP/IP, Zigbee, plus analog and digital I/O.
Server Systems: Linux, Windows, Node.js, HTTP, ASP, ASP.NET, MVC,
Microsoft Entity Framework, COM, MS SQL, MySql, Postgres, Oracle, ORM.
Hardware: Prototyping, Schematics, PCB layout, component selection, hardware
debugging using oscilloscopes and logic analyzers.
Broad project management experience: stage-gate, project planning, scope,
requirements, prototype, implementation, analysis and control, compliance testing,
manufacturability, RCCP, BOMs, routings, roll-out, marketing, docs.
Project methodologies: Agile/Scrum, Waterfall, Kanban for Manufacturing
Balanced management style. Excellent personal communication and technical
writing skills. Keen eye for user design and solid understanding of UX concepts.
Software Engineer
Self-Employed (Various Companies)
September 2014 - Present
Designed and implemented the communications subsystem (25+ devices, 1200+
registers) for a complex $3.5M research project demonstrating a balanced electrical
grid.
Re-architected a Python open-source BMS for use as an e
nergy management system.
Wrote new agents for data collection and analysis. Created Bash scaffolding scripts,
reducing agent creation from hours to seconds. Hardened Industrial PC according to
industry best practices. Served as communications subsystem subject matter expert
during weekly project coordination meetings.
Developed a tool (Go) for recognition and modelling of solar fieldbus devices
(inverters, batteries, combiners, weather stations, etc); tool generated SCADA
templates for devices (90+% time savings). Reverse engineered SCADA internals.
Part of a small team that specified, designed, implemented, and tested a web
(.NET+MVC+SQL) project management system integrated with an enterprise ERP
system (JD Edwards). Authored wireframes and co-authored front-end (Bootstrap +
AngularJS). Co-wrote back end using Microsoft Entity Framework.
Experience
Continued
Senior Applications Engineer
Greensmith Energy
September 2017 - May 2018
Developed software drivers (Java) for multiple energy storage system components (200+
classes). Created digital twins for simulation purposes via customization and coding.
Analyzed and corrected flawed HVAC control interface; led the on-site commissioning
(1,500+ data points) for two 10 MW Energy Storage Systems. Hardware included SMA
PCS units, LG battery systems, dual HVAC systems, temperature monitoring, DIO, plus
DNP3 and Modbus Master/Slave interfaces.
Solar Monitoring Product Manager
Solectria Renewables
December 2011 - February 2014
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Managed a small team responsible for a Solar M2M data collection system with
over 2,500 inverter devices uploading into a multi gigabyte database system.
Participated in embedded development (microcontroller and Linux) including
requirements, system design, design validation, code-reviews, technical
documentation and engineering-release processes.
Safety qualified to work on 600 VDC Inverters for debugging purposes.
Lead Smart Inverter communication system development for a multi-million
dollar DOE SunShot grant. Involved with planning, designing and implementing
DNP3 communications at Inverter and PV Plant levels including real-power
curtailment, PF control, volt-var, volt-watt, and dynamic reactive current
support.
Led the successful upgrade of an existing string combiner product from concept to
passing NRTL testing based on UL standards.
Founder
New Power Labs
June 2010 – December 2011
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Created a compelling clean-energy product design by soliciting expert opinions,
listening to customer's needs and by matching technology to market opportunity.
Coordinated all aspects of product design including marketing approach,
product specifications, schematics, PCB layouts, component selection, firmware,
communications protocols, and web interfaces.
Prepared two provisional patent applications including research, drawings,
detailed descriptions and claims.
Recruited and managed Mechanical and Electrical Engineering interns.
Formulated detailed plans including solar industry overview, competitive
analysis, financial models, product plans, go-to-market strategy, etc.
Planned and executed the sale of the company to Solectria Renewables
Education
Bachelor of Science, June 1993
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Business Information Systems
Computer Science (minor)
LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/in/turbotom
