Jonathan Zarger Embedded/Control Systems Engineering

Avionics Engineer

About Me

Me

I'm Jonathan Zarger, an Avionics Engineer at Blue Origin in Kent, WA.

I've worked in the space, defense and automotive industries doing hardware design, software development, benchmarking, verification, testing, and prototyping.

I have class, student team, and work experience with hardware, software, control systems, and signal processing.

I was involved with MASA, the University of Michigan student led rocket engineering team. I was the avionics lead in 2015.

I was also involved with FIRST Robotics Team 245, the Adambots.

I earned my Eagle Scout Award from BSA Troop 60 in 2013.

Interests

The focus of my Master's was Embedded Systems and Control Systems. I have strong interests in working with launch vehicles, satellites, autonomous vehicles, or other exciting emerging technologies.

I like working on the integration of algorithms, software, embedded systems, and lower-level hardware.

I have fun tinkering with electronics, taking things apart to figure out how they work, and rapid prototyping with hardware and software.

Contact Me

Project Highlights

  • DOGBOT: Senior Capstone Project. Robot tracking and chasing a laser with image processing. PCB design, microcontroller software, embedded Linux, image processing, control systems.
  • MASA Hybrid Control + Telemetry Device. Intermediate stage of flight hardware and software for a prototype hybrid rocket engine. PCB design, microcontroller software.
  • MHacks Hackerboards. Hardware and software platform developed for the Introduction to Hardware and Arduino Workshop at MHacks events.
Work Experience

Blue Origin Kent, WA

Avionics Engineer June 2018-Present

Center for Socially Engaged Design Ann Arbor, MI

Lab Assistant August 2017-May 2018
  • Maintained prototyping lab, ran trainings, organized and maintained spreadsheets and macros
  • Taught students prototyping skills for software, electrical hardware and mechanical
  • Designed and implemented software infrastructure for lab access control
Internships

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems Rolling Meadows, IL

Systems and Software Engineering Intern May 2017-August 2017
  • Worked on team to develop standard internal test automation software in Python and Robot Framework for remotely controlling test equipment like signal generators, spectrum analyzers, etc.
  • Validated software functionality with test cases and demonstrated to product owner
  • Taught teammates how to use the test equipment listed above

Delphi Electronics and Safety Kokomo, IN

Diesel Powertrain Electrical Engineering Intern May 2016-August 2016
  • Designed, fabricated and tested equipment for frequency based signals in radiated immunity validation testing, including analog circuit design and RF immunity design
  • Assessed functionality of prototypes and assisted with failure analysis

BWI Group Brighton, MI

Brake Systems Engineering Intern May 2015-August 2015
  • Led functional and failsafe benchmarking on brake systems to aid new project development

Honda R&D Americas Inc. Southfield, MI

Engineering Intern May 2014-August 2014
  • Led project to design and fabricate remotely controlled obstacles for demonstrating collision detection
Education

Master of Science in Engineering in Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduated May 2018

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Concentration on Embedded Systems with a focus on Control Systems

Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Electrical Engineering Graduated May 2017

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Graduated Magna Cum Laude

Received Dean's List Fall 2013, Winter 2014, Fall 2014, Fall 2016, and Winter 2017

Projects
This section lists a selection of class and personal projects, from most recent/current to oldest. The Projects page will describe each project in detail, with pictures and supporting documents when available.
Technical Projects
The goal of this team project was to create a head-worn device that could provide alternative control input into a computer. This was implemented with multiple different sensor options, including inertial sensors, electromyography, and audio.
Microprocessors, Inertial Sensors, Printed Circuit Board Design, Soldering, Machine Learning, MATLAB Filter Design
The goal of this team project was to create a wearable device that could wirelessly transmit motion events to a receiving computer to act as game input events.
Microprocessors, FPGA, Inertial Sensors, Printed Circuit Board Design, Soldering, Bluetooth, C, Verilog, Serial Communication
This includes several projects from a Hands on Robotics class. These projects involved building robots to complete tasks such as moving without wheels, navigating with limited sensor input, and writing on a movable surface.
Python, Mechanical Design, Kinematics, Dead Reckoning, Posable Programming, Navigating Under Uncertainty
The goal of this team project was to build a robot that would be able to use image processing to follow a laser pointer.
Microprocessors, Embedded Linux, Printed Circuit Board Design, Soldering, Serial Communication, Motor Control, Quadrature Decoding, Observer Design, PID Control, Vision Processing with OpenCV, Python, Arduino, Mechanical Design
The goal of this project was to design and build flight hardware and software to support MASA's developing hybrid engine project. The hardware was also designed to support parachute deployment and transmission of GPS-based location.
Microprocessors, Printed Circuit Board Design, Soldering, Serial Communication, Solenoid Control, Arduino, Inertial Sensor, Barometer, Pressure Sensor, XBee Radio
The goal of this project was to design and build a microcontroller development platform (hardware and software) to distribute to participants at MHacks events.
Microprocessors, Printed Circuit Board Design, Soldering, Serial Communication, Arduino, Production in (Relatively) Significant Quantity
The goal of this class project was to design and test GNC algorithms to fly a quadcopter through a set of waypoints.
Control Design, PID Control, Embedded Linux, C Development, Data Analysis with MATLAB, In-Flight Testing, Multithreaded Software
The goal of this class project was to design and test GNC algorithms to create an absolue position controller for a single degree-of-freedom tabletop satellite simulator.
Control Design, PID Control, Embedded Linux, C Development, Data Analysis with MATLAB, Multithreaded Sofware, Inertial Sensors, Observer Design, Filter Design, State Estimation
The goal of this class project was to design and test an adaptive cruise control and lane keep algorithm that ran in a simulated world.
Microcontrollers, Control Design, PID Control, MATLAB Model Based Code Generation, C Development, State Estimation, Quadrature Decoding, Haptic Motor Control
Other Projects
The goal of this project was to build a firewood storage area and a fossil hunt themed sandbox for a local nature preserve, Dinosaur Hill.
Project Management, Working With Requirements, Project Design, CAD, Woodworking
Involvement

Michigan Aeronautical Science Association (MASA) Student Rocket Engineering Team

Avionics Team MemberSeptember 2014-May 2018
Avionics Hardware and Software Team LeadSummer 2015-Summer 2016
  • Led team of around ten students to design, implement, and test electrical systems.
  • Helped develop hardware and software for instrumentation systems, test systems, and flight systems (detailed in the projects page).

MHacks Coordinator Team

Hardware Team MemberNovember 2015-October 2016

Boy Scout Troop 60 Member September 2006-May 2013

Eagle Scout AwardedJanuary 2013

FIRST Robotics Team 245 Member

Programming, CAD and Scouting Team MemberSeptember 2011-May 2013
Life Highlights