Byron is available for hire

Byron Formwalt

Verified Expert in Engineering

AI, Data Science, and iOS Developer

Sioux Falls, SD, United States

Toptal member since June 5, 2014

Expertise

Artificial Intelligence Embedded Software Engineering Machine Learning Neural Network Deep Learning MATLAB Linux C C++MacOS iOS Xcode Ubuntu Ruby

Bio

Byron has 22 years of experience in highly technical algorithm development. He has a Ph.D. in electrical engineering and a wealth of experience in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and video/image processing. Toptal has credited Byron with specializations in AI and data science. In addition to his scientific and engineering expertise, Byron is an iOS app developer with experience in Core/Create/ComputeML and Metal APIs.

Portfolio

Incutype LLC

Python 3, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, DigitalOcean API...

BFRDC, LLC

Amazon Web Services (AWS), C, C++, PostgreSQL, Ruby, Python, iOS, Swift...

Fhetch

PostgreSQL, Ruby on Rails (RoR), Core Data, iOS, Swift, Entrepreneurship...

Experience

Supervised Machine Learning - 20 years
Artificial Intelligence (AI) - 20 years
Research - 20 years
Pattern Recognition - 12 years
iOS SDK - 9 years
Swift - 7 years
Python 3 - 7 years
Data Science - 6 years

Availability

Part-time

Preferred Environment

Linux, iOS, MacOS

The most amazing...

...system I've built used real-time video processing to detect leading-vehicle departure and traffic-light transitions passively with a single-aperture camera.

Work Experience

CEO

2020 - 2022

Incutype LLC

Developed technological innovations in hardware and software product development through applied science and engineering research and development.
Built a physical sensor model in Python 3 for guiding the design of an application-specific LiDAR device for remote sensing man-made debris in marine environments.
Contstructed and deployed a privately-hosted platform for back-testing and deploying cryptocurrency trading algorithms, using advanced decision-making based on ML inference and AI heuristics.

Technologies: Python 3, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, DigitalOcean API, Image Processing, Video Processing, 3D Modeling, GPU Computing, Algorithms, Mobile App Development, Embedded Software, Xcode, iOS SDK, Pattern Recognition, Optics, Research, Embedded C, Metal, Core ML, AVFoundation, Core Data, Core Image, Concurrent Programming, Python, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Swift, PostgreSQL, Linux, Data Science, Keras, PyTorch, Neural Networks, Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs), Deep Learning, Supervised Machine Learning, OpenCV, TensorFlow, UIKit, Core Foundation, Cocoa, Asynchronous Programming, APIs, Unsupervised Learning, Swift 5, Ubuntu, FFmpeg, Shell

Independent Consultant

2019 - 2019

BFRDC, LLC

Supported technological innovations in hardware and software product development through applied science and engineering research and development.
Developed thermal image processing algorithms in Python 3, supporting predictive maintenance strategies on electrical power substation equipment.
Performed software development for mobile, desktop, and web applications.

Technologies: Amazon Web Services (AWS), C, C++, PostgreSQL, Ruby, Python, iOS, Swift, Entrepreneurship, Algorithms, Image Processing, Embedded Software, Embedded Linux, Xcode, iOS SDK, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), Pattern Recognition, Optics, Research, Machine Learning, Metal, Core ML, AVFoundation, Core Data, Core Image, Concurrent Programming, Video Processing, Linux, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Keras, PyTorch, Neural Networks, Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs), Deep Learning, Supervised Machine Learning, OpenCV, TensorFlow, Core Foundation, Cocoa, Asynchronous Programming, APIs, Unsupervised Learning, Text Recognition, Optical Character Recognition (OCR), Ubuntu, FFmpeg, Shell

Chief Technology Officer

2018 - 2019

Fhetch

Developed a highly scalable platform for real-time requests and exchange of media content across mobile devices, using Ruby on Rails and PostgreSQL.
Developed a multithreaded Core Data stack for fault-tolerant and crash persistent background networking tasks. The user never needs to restart failed background tasks (e.g., message send failure).
Developed an intuitive UI/UX for a simpler and cleaner photo-sharing experience.

Technologies: PostgreSQL, Ruby on Rails (RoR), Core Data, iOS, Swift, Entrepreneurship, UI Prototyping, UX Prototyping, UI Animation, Image Compression, Mobile App Development, Xcode, iOS SDK, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), Research, ActiveRecord, AVFoundation, Core Image, Concurrent Programming, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Core Foundation, Cocoa, Asynchronous Programming, APIs

Innovation Center Program Manager

2016 - 2017

Air Force Sustainment Center, US Air Force

Developed a data-driven recruiting resource optimization algorithm that harvests open-source data repositories to focus government resources on the best universities to engage for recruiting new engineers.
Led an Air Force Sustainment Center team to create an industry pilot partnership between Hill Air Force Base and Utah's Science and Technology Research Office.
Worked to determine the best strategy and business model for standing up innovation centers to support agile integration of advanced manufacturing innovations into the Air Force Sustainment Center.

Technologies: MATLAB, Python 3, ActiveRecord, Ruby, Entrepreneurship, Rapid Prototyping

Owner

2015 - 2017

The Idea Cave, LLC

Developed an advanced driver-assistance device for iPhone users, employing patent-pending and proprietary machine-vision algorithms.
Successfully drafted and prosecuted a utility patent application pro se (https://patents.google.com/patent/US9443426B1/en).
Developed a custom OpenGL-based, real-time vision processing pipeline for the Raspberry Pi, embedded single-board computer.

Technologies: Python 3, Image Processing, iOS, Linux, Swift, C++, C, Research, US Patent Process, Entrepreneurship, Video Processing, GPU Computing, Embedded Linux, Rapid Prototyping, Electrical Engineering, Embedded Software, iOS SDK, Xcode, Pattern Recognition, Optics, Embedded C, Machine Learning, Concurrent Programming, Python, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Neural Networks, Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs), Supervised Machine Learning, OpenCV, TensorFlow, Tesseract, Core Foundation, Cocoa, Asynchronous Programming, APIs, GStreamer, Ubuntu, Shell, Bluetooth

Lead Process Engineer for Depot Maintenance, Ogden Air Logistical Complex

2015 - 2016

Air Force Sustainment Center, US Air Force

Led multiple rapid improvement events to solve inter-organizational shortcomings in best engineering and business practices.
Created a program management forecasting and tracking tool for monitoring multiple, independent parallel projects, consisting of identical and serial subtasks. It is currently used for monitoring contracts and human resourcing.
Created a gated, process-tracking and reporting system for engineering managers using VBA for Excel.
Created an automated reporting system for the management of engineers, technicians, and planners for non-conforming technical assistance requests, using smart card PKI authentication to the Oracle back-end database using VBA for Excel.
Developed a custom workflow application for Sharepoint 2013.

Technologies: Leadership, Technical Leadership, Electrical Engineering, Supply Chain Management (SCM)

Deputy Director, Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Engineering

2013 - 2015

ICBM Systems Directorate, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, US Air Force

Directed the ICBM Systems Engineering Office and four technical engineering operating locations supported by seventy civilians, 25 AD military personnel, and 100+ contractors.
Exercised engineering authority over the Minuteman III weapon system.
Handled more than $1 billion annually in acquisitions, sustainment, and test programs.
Directed and managed resources to provide 24/7 engineering expertise for nuclear emergencies.

Technologies: Leadership, Technical Leadership, Electrical Engineering

Special Assistant for HUMINT Support

2011 - 2013

Air Force Technical Applications Center with Duty Under DIA Directorate for Technical Collection

Conducted specialized, rapid reaction engineering, addressing multiple HUMINT technical collection capability gaps. Initiated an in-house developmental engineering program for rapid prototyping.
Discovered clients, gathered requirements, developed concepts, engineered, demonstrated, and tested hardware and software for functional prototypes of multiple systems used for technical collection.
Led an eight-person team in developing an infrasound generator, supporting long-range propagation studies. Scientific and technical contributions led to the Air Force Association Von Karman Award nomination.

Technologies: Image Processing, Signal Processing, MATLAB, Firmware, C++, C, Ruby, Reverse Engineering, Embedded C, Leadership, Technical Leadership, Rapid Prototyping, Embedded Software, Research, Concurrent Programming, Data Science, Core Foundation, Cocoa, Asynchronous Programming, Objective-C, Ubuntu, Shell

Chief, Missiles Technical Collection Division

2010 - 2011

Air Force Technical Applications Center with Duty Under DIA Directorate for Technical Collection

Supervised the work of five military and civilian engineers and scientists, addressing research, development, testing, and evaluation of missile technical collection capability gaps.
Planned, directed, and executed highly classified, national-priority intelligence technology programs valued at more than $4.8 million.
Built $1.7 million over-the-horizon threat-tracking capability with multinational cooperation, resulting in a 10x increase in the area of surveillance coverage.

Technologies: Image Processing, Signal Processing, MATLAB, C++, C, Leadership, Technical Leadership, Reverse Engineering, Research, Concurrent Programming, Data Science

Chief, High Power Microwave Computational Physics Section

2009 - 2010

Directed Energy Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, US Air Force

Managed a team of 14 civilian scientists and ten supporting contractors responsible for modeling and simulating high-energy physics weapons for lethal and non-lethal military applications.
Developed and maintained the physics code for virtual prototyping weapons with applications ranging from electronic warfare to non-lethal deterrence.
Managed the integration of a $9 million modeling and simulation software development effort into a $300 million aircraft antenna optimization program.

Technologies: Python, C++, C, Algorithms, Research, Leadership, Technical Leadership, Concurrent Programming, Asynchronous Programming

Chief, Performance Analysis Branch

2008 - 2009

Airborne Laser System Program Office, Aeronautical Systems Center, US Air Force

Led a multidisciplinary team of 23 scientists and engineers chartered to perform mission-critical analyses for the Airborne Laser, supported by multi-tiered modeling and simulation capability.
Directed $6.9 million/year corresponding to 47,805 person-hours of contracted support.
Developed finite-element software model for estimating high-energy lasers total system power output, saving an estimated 160 person-hours per lasing test.

Technologies: Finite Element Analysis (FEA), MATLAB, Algorithms, Research, Leadership, Technical Leadership, Optics, Concurrent Programming

Chief, Technology Development Branch

2007 - 2008

Airborne Laser System Program Office, Aeronautical Systems Center, US Air Force

Directed a multifaceted, long-term technology development program for inserting advanced capabilities into the Missile Defense Agency's next-generation production model Airborne Laser weapon system.
Managed $40 million/year in high-risk technology development investments.
Executed the Airborne Laser industrial base maintenance effort, ensuring a dependable supply chain for long-lead optical components.

Technologies: Leadership, Technical Leadership, Electrical Engineering, Supply Chain Management (SCM), Research, Optics

Full-time PhD Student in Electrical Engineering

2003 - 2007

Air Force Institute of Technology

Researched modeling, simulation, and estimation of optical turbulence.
Wrote and published the covariance delineation theorem for computationally efficient optimization of simulators for random processes in n-space.
Inducted into Eta Kappa Nu Electrical Engineering Honor Society for outstanding character and academic achievement. (https://hkn.ieee.org/hkn-chapters/all-chapters/delta-xi-chapter/).

Technologies: Signal Processing, Image Processing, MATLAB, C++, C, Electrical Engineering, Optics, Algorithms, Research, Concurrent Programming, Asynchronous Programming

Electro-optics Research Engineer

2000 - 2003

Sensors Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Air Force Materiel Command, US Air Force

Conducted research on electro-optic, infrared, remote-sensing phenomenology for spatial-spectral detection and identification of concealed targets in urban, desert, and forested environments.
Developed an innovative hyperspectral atmospheric compensation algorithm for high-altitude, remote sensing of concealed military targets.
Participated as an active member of the Homeland Defense Explosives Detection Working Group, which controlled a $9 million research and development budget.

Technologies: Image Processing, MATLAB, Leadership, Technical Leadership, Research, C, C++, Algorithms, Pattern Recognition, Optics, Concurrent Programming

Full-time Master of Science Student in Electrical Engineering

1998 - 2000

Air Force Institute of Technology

Researched statistical pattern recognition, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.
Developed a real-time object detection and classification algorithm, facilitating obstacle avoidance for autonomous vehicles.
Developed a novel, real-time, global-image registration algorithm for real-time, autonomous vehicle control.

Technologies: MATLAB, C++, C, Machine Learning, Pattern Recognition, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Algorithms, Research, Optics, Signal Processing, Concurrent Programming, Neural Networks, Supervised Machine Learning

Optical Tracking Engineering

1997 - 1998

National Air Intelligence Center, Air Intelligence Agency, US Air Force

Directed analysis and production of technical intelligence assessments on foreign optical tracking and surveillance facilities.
Located, identified, and analyzed new tracking facilities and assessed foreign operational procedures and capabilities to identify and track US space assets.
Tasked and monitored the technical efforts of external contractors and in-house personnel performing engineering analysis of data pertaining to foreign optical-tracking systems.

Technologies: Electrical Engineering, Optics, Algorithms

Experience

WatchDawg

A proprietary, Python/OpenGLES-based, real-time image processing system for detecting leading-vehicle departure and traffic-light transitions. Algorithms were initially prototyped in MATLAB and then ported to a Python-controlled GPU compute pipeline for real-time processing. Developed a custom Bluetooth Low Energy service atop the open-source BlueZ protocol stack to support wireless communications with iOS. Designed, prototyped, and outsourced manufacturing of the device enclosure. Patented the device and method (https://patents.google.com/patent/US9443426B1/en).

Fhetch

Developed a beta version of a photo-sharing app for iOS, producing nearly 100,000 lines of code in 12 months, including the Ruby-on-Rails back end server and the app, which was written in Swift. Developed multiple custom controls with interactive animations.

Property Record Search Utility

Ruby application that downloads all scanned images of public records for a particular county performs optical character recognition (OCR) and conducts complex boolean word and phrase searches, tolerant of OCR errors with word proximity and order constraints. The client used the tool for automatically finding rare time-sensitive real estate investment opportunities.

Education

2003 - 2007

PhD Degree in Electrical Engineering

Air Force Institute of Technology - Dayton, OH

1998 - 2000

Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering

Air Force Institute of Technology - Dayton, OH

1993 - 1997

Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering

US Air Force Academy - Colorado Springs, CO

Certifications

AUGUST 2019 - PRESENT

Artificial Intelligence Specialization

Toptal, LLC

AUGUST 2019 - PRESENT

Data Science Specialization

Toptal, LLC

MAY 2015 - PRESENT

Engineering Certification Level III

Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Acquisition) per Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA)

Skills

Libraries/APIs

Core Image, Keras, PyTorch, OpenCV, TensorFlow, ActiveRecord, FFmpeg, DigitalOcean API

Tools

MATLAB, Xcode, Shell

Languages

Ruby, Python 3, C, C++, Swift, Embedded C, Python, Swift 5, Objective-C

Frameworks

Core Data, Ruby on Rails (RoR), iOS SDK, Core Foundation, Cocoa, UIKit, GStreamer, Metal, Core ML

Paradigms

Concurrent Programming, Rapid Prototyping, Asynchronous Programming, iOS UI Design

Platforms

Linux, iOS, Embedded Linux, MacOS, Ubuntu, Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Storage

PostgreSQL, Amazon S3 (AWS S3)

Other

Video Processing, Signal Processing, Image Processing, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Embedded Software, Machine Learning, Pattern Recognition, Optics, Research, Mobile App Development, Deep Learning, Neural Networks, Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs), Supervised Machine Learning, APIs, Firmware, Entrepreneurship, GPU Computing, Tesseract, Text Recognition, Optical Character Recognition (OCR), AVFoundation, Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Leadership, Technical Leadership, Electrical Engineering, Supply Chain Management (SCM), Algorithms, Reverse Engineering, US Patent Process, UI Prototyping, UX Prototyping, UI Animation, iOS App Design, Image Compression, iOS Camera, 3D Modeling, Unsupervised Learning, Bluetooth

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