David K. Tan — Software Engineer
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

Download résumé Email me GitHub LinkedIn
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.

Jun 2026 —
Present Current

Software Design Engineer III

Torch Technologies · Huntsville, AL
C++ Python Linux Simulation
  • Develop C++ and Python model-development and simulation-execution features, integrating updates across three software components and improving the debugging workflow for model validation.
  • Diagnose and resolve simulation defects using Linux, Visual Studio, Git, and unit/integration testing — reducing recurring issues by roughly 10%.
  • Convert requirements into design updates, code changes, and test documentation, cutting integration rework by roughly 15%.
  • Integrate model updates in collaboration with software, systems, and simulation engineers.
Mar 2026 —
Jun 2026

6DOF Modeling & Simulation Engineer

i3 (Integration Innovation, Inc.) · Huntsville, AL
C++11 RHEL 8 GNC Monte Carlo
  • Designed, tested, and integrated C++11 autopilot control logic for the LRPM 6DOF missile simulation on RHEL 8.
  • Developed four kinematic guidance models and validated behavior against guidance, sensor, and flight-dynamics components with full requirements traceability.
  • Executed V&V studies by translating requirements into testable simulation scenarios and Monte Carlo runs.
Sep 2024 —
Jan 2026

Software Engineer II

ALKU · Utah
C++11 6DOF LGM-35A Sentinel
  • Developed, reviewed, and tested C++11 6DOF flight-dynamics models for LGM-35A Sentinel ICBM boost and post-boost performance, maintaining full traceability to flight-performance requirements.
  • Diagnosed and resolved simulation inconsistencies by analyzing flight behavior and refining underlying model assumptions — improving model fidelity and reducing downstream validation effort.
Jan 2023 —
Sep 2024

Software Engineer I

Space Dynamics Laboratory · Utah
C++ Python FORGE OPIR Technical lead
  • Built and deployed C++/Python processing modules within the FORGE MDPAF ground framework, ingesting and transforming OPIR satellite mission data into operational warnings and alerts.
  • Designed modular FORGE MDPAF components for SBIRS and Next Gen OPIR mission-data processing.
  • Served as technical lead, advising program managers and government stakeholders on implementation status, risks, and technical tradeoffs.
§ 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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