About Me
(1291 Words, 8 Minutes)
Hi, I’m Simon Maddison 👋
UAS Systems Engineer — Electronics & Software
Dynamic Electrical Engineer specializing in embedded systems, UAV avionics, and full-stack hardware-software integration for defense and aerospace applications. Passionate about innovation and continuous professional growth, I thrive on tackling complex challenges with enthusiasm while expanding my technical expertise. Effective communicator with a proven ability to build strong relationships and collaborate seamlessly.
Skills
Hardware
Firmware & Software
Tools
Protocols
Domains
Professional Experience
Electronics & Production Engineer
CubePilot | January 2026 – Present
CubePilot designs and builds the Cube autopilot family, HereLink and related avionics used across commercial and research UAV platforms. I work across the full path from schematic to shipped unit: new-product hardware design, the in-house production line that builds it, and the tooling that keeps both honest.
Hardware design
- Schematic capture and high-density mixed-signal PCB layout in Altium, spanning IMU, GNSS, barometer, magnetometer, RF and embedded compute (STM32, FPGA, CM5/RPi)
- Multi-rail power architectures with redundancy and isolation for flight-critical hardware
- Bring-up, DVT and hardware debugging across CAN, CAN FD, USB, Ethernet, SPI, I2C and UART
- Design reviews of new boards before release: pinouts, power rails, feedback networks, differential pairs and BOM checked against datasheets
Production
- DFM/DFT feedback into the in-house SMT line, and supporting new products through to low-volume production
- Site bring-up of a new Australian production facility — coordinating trades, building works and external suppliers across SMT equipment, dispensing, fire compliance and on-site upgrades
- Site-wide ESD program rollout — supplier evaluation, garment trials, controlled-area setup
- Line automation support, including documenting the PLC and EtherCAT control system on a production line so the floor team can connect to and maintain it
- Trade-show production builds and on-site demos
Engineering tooling
- Built the hardware team’s PCB review and CI tooling: review packs generated straight from Altium projects, automated cross-checks of netlist, geometry and BOM, with findings filed as tracked issues
- Fab-output diffing between board revisions, so every change to copper, drill and placement is measured before it goes to the fab (etchy)
- Automated health checks on the shared Altium footprint and symbol libraries against the company’s library conventions
Team
- Mentoring new graduate engineers on hardware and production processes
Electrical & Electronics Engineer
Praetorian Aeronautics October 2025 – January 2026
- Performed electronics and electrical design for autonomous UAS platforms, including interceptor and loitering munition systems
- Focused on hardware design, contributing to avionics components for counter-UAS applications during a short-term engagement
- Designed and reviewed wiring diagrams for platform-level electrical systems
- Contributed to the design and development of Ground Control Station (GCS) electronics
- Supported the development of high-power battery management and power distribution systems
- Assisted with electronics integration, schematic capture, and PCB layout using industry-standard tools
Hardware & Software Design Engineer
SYPAQ Systems | August 2020 – October 2025
- Contributed to securing and delivering the LAND129/DEF129 4B project, ensuring compliance and timely execution.
- Played a key role in the design and development for SYPAQ Systems Corvo family of Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (SUAS), guiding concepts from initial ideation through prototyping to production.
- Extensive expertise in STM32 MCU for embedded system applications (Software and Hardware).
- Developed and maintained embedded software on various platforms bare-metal, FreeRTOS, ChibiOS.
- Proficient in Atlassian tools, supporting code reviews and CI/CD pipeline maintenance.
- Engineered PCB build server artifact generation to streamline production processes.
- Designed embedded software drivers for USB 2.0, CAN, and CAN FD communication protocols.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to design, develop, and integrate flight-critical subsystems, optimizing for safety and efficiency.
- Designed digital and analog schematics and executed PCB layouts with a focus on EMC/EMI compliance.
- Performed PCB prototyping, Design Verification Testing (DVT), hardware debugging, and MCU bring-up to validate system functionality.
- Skilled in diagnosing and resolving hardware and communication protocol issues for CAN, USB, Ethernet, I2C, and SPI.
- Led the establishment of in-house small-scale PCB production capabilities, including creating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for equipment and processes.
- Successfully transitioned products into low volume production, meeting quality and timeline objectives.
- Identified, onboarded, and managed new and existing suppliers to streamline and optimize production workflows.
Electronics & Software Engineer
Fiberdyne Systems | November 2018 – August 2020
- Collaborated on projects using Ethernet, MOST25, A2B, CAN, SPI, I2C, and UART protocols, which improved communication across various systems and enhanced overall project performance.
- Developed and implemented new DSP features on embedded platforms, helping to advance product capabilities and meet customer requirements.
- Simulated and translated ANC (FxLMS) algorithms from Matlab to embedded platforms, which streamlined the integration of advanced noise cancellation features into our products.
- Developed and maintained applications for Arduino, Windows, Linux, Android, and embedded systems, ensuring a robust software environment across multiple platforms.
- Executed schematic design and PCB layout, focusing on Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Testing (DFT), which resulted in higher quality and more reliable hardware.
- Managed PCB manufacturing processes, including hands on experience with production and BOM ordering.
- Created and managed PCB manufacturing test equipment and test softwares.
- Assisted with Automotive EMC, EMI, and PPAP compliance testing, which helped us adhere to regulatory standards and enhance product reliability.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to improve quality and efficiency in production processes, fostering better communication and teamwork across departments.
- Contributed to the entire product development lifecycle, from concept ideation to final product prototype, ensuring a smooth transition from design to production.
Junior Embedded Engineer
Fiberdyne Systems | March 2018 - November 2018
- Designed and developed test fixtures and software for PCB production, which streamlined the testing process and improved quality control.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams, ensuring alignment and efficiency in production processes, which led to smoother workflows and reduced downtime.
- Developed and maintained new feature requests, helping to enhance product functionality and meet evolving customer needs.
- Managed and resolved BUG requests, ensuring timely fixes and maintaining system reliability for the production environment.
- Assisted in bringing up new hardware, contributing to the successful integration of latest technologies into existing systems.
- Demonstrated embedded software development skills in Green Hills, Bare-metal, C, and C++, as well as Windows/ Linux application development using C#, Lua, Qt, and QML.
AutoCAD Draftsman
Cleanrooms Australia | April 2016 – December 2017
- Translated handwritten engineering sketches and floor designs into precise technical engineering drawings, which ensured clarity and accuracy for various projects.
- Collaborated with team members remotely to implement revisions and corrections, helping to maintain project timelines and enhance overall communication.
- Developed detailed drafts that accurately reflected project specifications and requirements, supporting the execution of projects and ensuring client satisfaction.
Education
- Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical & Electronics) – RMIT University
- Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology (Electrical & Electronics) – RMIT University
Certifications
- Essential & Advanced SI, PI and EMC Design for Cost-Effective PCBs – Keith Armstrong, EMC Technologies (March 2024)
- Industrial Robot Training – Omron Automation and Robotics (March 2024)
- Remote Pilot License (RePL) – Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), 2022 – Current
Leadership & Community Involvement
STUDENT STAFF CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE (SSCC) - RMIT University
- Actively participated in SSCC meetings, contributing to discussions and decisions to enhance the student experience.
- Collaborated with diverse stakeholders to drive initiatives that benefited the broader RMIT student community.
- Developed strong community-building and leadership skills through engagement in collaborative decision making processes.
Focus & Drive
I’m passionate about the intersection of hardware and software in extreme environments — real-time systems, FPGA development, RF engineering, and building technology that performs perfectly when lives and missions depend on it.