CHRISTOPHER RODRIGUEZ
Rosemead
Summary
Software Engineer with a Master's in Electrical & Computer Engineering, specializing in embedded systems and AI-driven automation. Developed safety-critical software compliant with DO-178C for aerospace systems, while leading automation initiatives to enhance engineering workflows. Proficient in C/C++, Python, and CI/CD integration.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
Work History
Relay Program Engineer 2 - Automation & Protection
Southern California Edison (SCE)
Alhambra/Rosemead
02.2026 - Current
- Substation Protection: Designed, reviewed, and tested microprocessor-based protective relay logic (e.g., SEL-351S) and electrical AC/DC elementary protection schematics, enhancing accuracy of testing processes using ACSELerator Quickset, Doble test sets, and Protection Suite.
- Software Automation: Engineering custom Python-based automation tools and CLI scripts to streamline test file directory management, folder structure generation, and test file organization, significantly reducing manual engineering overhead.
- Workforce Engineering: Rejoined Relay protection team to lead software automation initiatives that modernized legacy hardware verification testing workflows.
- AI Development: Designing and building an AI-powered Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) chatbot using Python, focusing on helping test technicians and field engineers instantly debug and troubleshoot relay configurations and protection logic.
Software Engineer II
Northrop Grumman Corporation
Woodland Hills
07.2023 - 02.2026
- Promotion & Technical Leadership: Selected for fast-track promotion and extension to Principal Software Engineer (EGI-M) in recognition of technical leadership and contributions to safety-critical, low-latency communication architectures.
- Safety-Critical Avionics: Developed and implemented safety-critical avionics software modifications for the UH-60V Black Hawk digital cockpit, ensuring strict DO-178C standards compliance to enhance system reliability.
- Multicore Testing: Conducted Rapita Multicore Interference Testing to identify multicore interference channels and configured appropriate Rapidaemons for stress testing Interference Channels (ICs) to ensure strict DO-178C and MACH-178 aerospace compliance.
- Executed setup and configuration of Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) partition on ZCU102 platform, integrating with Rapita's Multicore Interference Testing Tool to capture performance metrics.
- Developed automated testing processes to ensure software quality throughout the development lifecycle.: Designed, maintained, and optimized automated Python test scripts, achieving 100% code coverage and securing rigorous requirements verification throughout the SDLC.
- CI/CD Integration: Leveraged Jenkins CI/CD pipelines to optimize code deployment and streamline software verification.
- Code Coverage Analysis: Utilized LDRA Testbed and Polyspace to execute static and dynamic testing on C/C++ codebases, ensuring robust performance.
Relay/Automation Engineering
Southern California Edison (SCE)
Pomona
05.2022 - 07.2023
- Designed and programmed relay protection tests, developed PLC logic control systems, and integrated control networks with SCADA, PLC, HMI, and C++ to enhance system reliability.
- Tested and implemented automated grid-level power source shutdown procedures to ensure safety and minimize downtime during maintenance.
- Completed day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Contributed innovative ideas and solutions to enhance team performance and outcomes.
- Worked successfully with diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services.
Education
Master of Science - Electrical and Computer Engineering
California State University, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA05-2023
Bachelor of Science - Electrical Engineering
California State University, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA12-2020
Skills
- DO-178C compliance standards
- Python and C programming
- C development
- Automated testing frameworks
- Static code analysis
- Polyspace analysis
- Multicore testing
- Git version control
- Jenkins integration
- Version control systems
- Agile methodologies
- Object-oriented design
- Embedded systems development
- RTOS concepts
- MBSE with SCADE
Projects And Highlights
- AI RAG Chatbot (SCE): Python-based localized AI assistant using RAG framework to parse schematic drawings and debugging guides for field technicians.
- File Automation Suite (SCE): Python automation script for structuring, generating, and standardizing test files.
- Future Vertical Lift (Northrop): Integrated telemetry data from drones to Blackhawk helicopter systems for coordinate routing.
- Project Mexico Solar Power: (Team Lead, 2019-2020) Developed solar grid telemetry monitoring using Arduino, charge controllers, and Iridium satellite networks.
Core Competencies
Python, C, C++, Assembly, SQL, HTML/CSS, JavaScript, Git, Jenkins (CI/CD), ClearCase, Jira, Agile/Scrum, Object-Oriented Design (OOD), RTOS Concepts, DO-178C Standards, SCADE MBSE, Polyspace, LDRA Testbed, LDRA TBrun, ZCU102 platform, Multicore Interference Testing (Rapita/Rapidaemons), Microprocessor Programming (ARM/STM32), PLC Logic, SCADA, HMI, Doble Test Sets, Protection Suite, AC/DC Elementary Protection Logic, MongoDB
Timeline
Relay Program Engineer 2 - Automation & Protection
Southern California Edison (SCE)
02.2026 - Current
Software Engineer II
Northrop Grumman Corporation
07.2023 - 02.2026
Relay/Automation Engineering
Southern California Edison (SCE)
05.2022 - 07.2023
Master of Science - Electrical and Computer Engineering
California State University, Los Angeles
Bachelor of Science - Electrical Engineering
California State University, Los Angeles