34.7304° N / 86.5861° W Huntsville, AL TS/SAP Adjudicated · Active Secret

David K. Tan

Software engineer building mission-critical defense systems — C++ and Python development, DevSecOps pipelines, high-fidelity 6DOF simulation, and verification & validation for U.S. defense programs.

Currently at Torch Technologies · Open to conversations

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3+
YearsDefense software engineering
4
ProgramsSentinel · FORGE · LRPM · APKWS
6
CertificationsSecurity · Cloud · Kubernetes
TS/SAP
ClearanceAdjudicated · Active Secret

§ 01 — About

Engineering the software behind defense systems.

RoleSoftware Engineer

FocusDefense Software · M&S

StackC++ · Python · Linux

DomainDefense / Aerospace

ClearanceTS/SAP · Active Secret

I am a software engineer building mission-critical software for the defense and aerospace industry. My work spans C++ and Python development, object-oriented design, unit and integration testing, and Linux-based DevSecOps workflows across GitLab CI/CD, Jenkins, Kubernetes, and Docker.

I have delivered software across ICBM flight-dynamics modeling for LGM-35A Sentinel, ground-framework data processing for FORGE OPIR, and 6DOF missile simulation for LRPM. In each case the job was the same: turn technical requirements into design, code, tests, and validated results that engineers and program offices can actually stake decisions on.

I care most about the part of the work that is easy to skip — traceability, reproducible builds, and knowing exactly why a model behaves the way it does.

§ 02 — Capabilities

What I work with.

Programming

C++ (11/14/17)
Python
Java
Bash / Shell

Software Engineering

Object-oriented design
Agile / Scrum
Code review
Requirements translation

DevSecOps

GitLab CI/CD
Jenkins
Kubernetes
Docker

Platforms & Cloud

Linux / Unix
Red Hat Enterprise Linux
AWS
Git

Testing & Validation

Unit testing
Integration testing
Debugging & root-cause analysis
Verification & validation

Modeling & Simulation

6DOF flight dynamics
Guidance, navigation & control
Missile simulation
Monte Carlo analysis

§ 03 — Experience

Where I've done the work.

Feb 2026 —
Present Current

Software Design Engineer III

Torch Technologies

C++ Python Linux 6DOF Simulation

Developed C++ and Python features within model-development and simulation-execution frameworks, integrating updates across three software components and streamlining debugging workflows used for model validation.
Diagnosed and resolved complex C++ and Python software defects using Linux, Visual Studio, Git, and automated unit and integration testing, reducing recurring issues by approximately 10% and improving software stability.
Translated system requirements into software designs, code implementations, and verification documentation, reducing integration rework by approximately 15% and improving delivery efficiency.
Collaborated with software, systems, and simulation engineers to design, integrate, and validate software enhancements across shared simulation baselines, ensuring compatibility and reliable end-to-end functionality.
Designed, implemented, and validated high-fidelity C++ six-degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) missile simulation models, including autopilot control logic and the integration of guidance, sensor, and flight-dynamics components for LRPM and Hydra-70, increasing simulation throughput by 10%.

Sep 2024 —
Jan 2026

Software Engineer II

BAE Systems · Utah

C++11 6DOF Flight Dynamics LGM-35A Sentinel

Developed, reviewed, and tested C++11 six-degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) flight-dynamics models supporting LGM-35A Sentinel ICBM boost and post-boost performance, maintaining 100% traceability between software implementation and flight-performance requirements.
Diagnosed and resolved simulation inconsistencies by analyzing flight behavior, debugging C++ model logic, and refining model assumptions, improving model fidelity and reducing downstream verification and validation effort.
Implemented and validated software updates through code reviews, regression testing, and requirements-based analysis, helping maintain reliable simulation performance across evolving model baselines.

Jan 2023 —
Sep 2024

Software Engineer I

Space Dynamics Laboratory · Utah

C++ Python FORGE MDPAF Ground Software

Developed and maintained C++ and Python software modules within the FORGE MDPAF ground framework, implementing enhancements, debugging issues, and supporting reliable data-processing capabilities.
Collaborated with cross-functional engineering teams to analyze requirements, troubleshoot software defects, and deliver high-quality solutions that improved system reliability and performance.

Jan 2019 —
Dec 2022

Information Technology Specialist

U.S. Air Force

IT Support Systems Networking Workstations

Provided technical support for 100+ users, troubleshooting hardware, software, and network issues.
Installed, configured, and maintained 100+ workstations, helping ensure 98% system availability and reliable support for daily military operations.

§ 04 — Credentials

Education & certifications.

Education 03

Georgia Institute of Technology

M.S. Computer Science

Expected Jul 2027

Louisiana State University

Master of Business Administration

Dec 2023

Valdosta State University

B.S. Computer Science

Dec 2022

Certifications 06

CISSP
PMP
AWS Solutions Architect
Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS)
CompTIA Security+

Publications 02

Co-authored a peer-reviewed IEEE Pervasive Computing paper on detecting pandemic-themed Android malware using app permissions and machine learning, achieving over 90% detection accuracy.

Read the paper

Co-authored a peer-reviewed Springer paper on distributed fault-containment simulation using randomized scheduling, published in Advanced Communication and Intelligent Systems.

Read the paper

§ 05 — Selected Work

Things I've built.

Full-stack

Mission Planning Dashboard

Full-stack planning dashboard with role-based workflows, REST API endpoints, and audit logging — cutting planning data-entry errors by 30%.

REST · Role-based access · Audit logging

Simulation

Missile Flight Dynamics Simulation

Standalone C++ 6DOF missile simulation with autopilot control logic, guidance interfaces, and flight-dynamics behavior, validated through Monte Carlo analysis.

C++ · 6DOF · Autopilot · GNC

Verification & validation

Monte Carlo Validation Workflows

Simulation studies across thousands of stochastic runs to evaluate system performance, surface model discrepancies, and build confidence in mission-critical results.

Monte Carlo · Statistical analysis · Traceability

DevSecOps

CI/CD & Engineering Tooling

Build and deployment workflows on GitLab CI/CD, Jenkins, Docker, Kubernetes, and Linux — improving build reliability and iteration speed for engineering teams.

GitLab CI · Jenkins · Docker · Kubernetes

§ 06 — References

What others say.

Verified

Valdosta State University · College of Science & Mathematics

Clear in writing and effective in coding, David can communicate technical topics with ease.

Dr. Anurag Dasgupta

Associate Professor, Computer Science

January 21, 2022

Read the letter

Verified

Valdosta State University · Honors College

An exceptional student, motivated to excel in his discipline.

Michael P. Savoie

Dean, University Honors College

January 5, 2022

Read the letter

Verified

Valdosta State University · Office of Student Life

David completed the Leadership Certificate Program a full semester ahead of his cohort.

Elizabeth Cavender

Coordinator, Leadership Certificate Program

2022

Read the letter

§ 07 — Contact

Let's talk about what you're building.

Best reached by email. I reply to most messages within a day.

david.k.tan2@gmail.com (404) 452-8263

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