resume

Chris Juszak | https://www.linkedin.com/in/juszak/

About

I am a systems and software engineer who has spent 20+ years building, integrating, and sustaining software for Department of Defense test and training environments. My background spans hands-on software development, systems engineering, technical leadership, distributed systems integration, and concept development, with particular focus on communications interfaces and live, virtual, and constructive environments.

I began my career in 2002 as a computer scientist with Naval Air Systems Command at the Point Mugu Sea Range, where my work was primarily software engineering in support of range systems and distributed exercises. In 2005, I moved from government employment to contractor roles, serving in engineering positions at Cubic and BAE Systems, and later joined KBR through Wyle. Since 2007, I have supported the Test Resource Management Center and the Joint Mission Environment Test Capability.

Much of my career has centered on designing, building, and sustaining software used across Department of Defense test environments. I have developed C++/Qt applications for Windows and Linux, supported distributed software integration and interface modeling, trained engineers on the Test and Training Enabling Architecture, and led teams delivering technical products for operational users.

In recent years, my work has expanded into architecture, systems planning, modernization support, concept development, and alignment of technical capabilities to mission needs. That experience has strengthened my understanding of how engineering decisions succeed within larger organizations, especially in environments where operational needs, cybersecurity constraints, distributed infrastructure, and long-term sustainment all shape the solution.

My long-term professional goal is to remain close to direct systems and software engineering work. I am most effective when I can combine practical implementation, systems-level understanding, and technical leadership to help turn mission needs into durable, maintainable software and integrated capabilities. I value architecture and planning work most when it stays connected to real implementation and provides a clear path toward working systems.

I work best at the point where mission needs meet real implementation, particularly on technically complex problems that require practical engineering judgment, distributed-systems awareness, and durable software solutions. I hold a B.S. in Computer Science from California State University, Chico, and a Master of Engineering in Systems Engineering from Colorado State University.

Experience

Systems Engineer, Wyle / KBR Inc., September 2013 – Present
Support the U.S. Department of Defense Test Resource Management Center through software engineering, systems engineering, and technical modernization work for distributed test and training environments.

  • Lead engineering efforts supporting live, virtual, and constructive integration, distributed communications, interface modeling, and architecture development for Department of Defense test environments.
  • Design, develop, and sustain distributed software tools and applications used across military test ranges, primarily in C++/Qt on Windows and Linux.
  • Deliver training for government and contractor engineers on the Test and Training Enabling Architecture (TENA), interface development, data modeling, and related engineering practices.
  • Provide architecture, systems integration, and modernization planning support, including concept development, capability assessment, and alignment of technical approaches to evolving test and evaluation needs.
  • Support evaluation and practical adoption of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence-enabled capabilities, while helping translate mission needs into executable engineering work across multiple stakeholders.

Software Engineer, BAE Systems, October 2007 – September 2013
Supported the Test Resource Management Center through software engineering for distributed test and evaluation environments, communications interfaces, and TENA-based capabilities.

  • Provided engineering support for distributed testing and communications interface development using TENA.
  • Contributed to growth of international test and evaluation infrastructure through beta testing, experimental application development, and coordination with partner laboratories over Department of Defense networks.
  • Designed and deployed a distributed network performance testing and reporting capability using Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Python, enabling automated nightly diagnostics across an international Department of Defense network.
  • Developed a Linux-based bootable toolkit to support secure, portable network testing and troubleshooting in Department of Defense environments.

Software Engineer, Cubic Applications, April 2005 – September 2007
Supported live, virtual, and constructive integration for military training environments through software development, interface integration, technical tooling, and engineering training.

  • Led a software team supporting live, virtual, and constructive integration for military training environments, including sensor and simulation interfaces.
  • Developed specialized tools that accelerated development and testing of TENA-based systems.
  • Delivered technical training on distributed architecture and middleware to internal teams and external partners.

Computer Scientist, Naval Air Systems Command, July 2002 – April 2005
Supported distributed range systems at the Point Mugu Sea Range, with emphasis on system monitoring, operational readiness, and nationally distributed military training events.

  • Developed a web-based distributed systems monitoring capability using Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP, and C++, integrating with TENA to improve system health visibility during nationally distributed military training exercises.
  • Provided engineering and operational support for distributed military training exercises, including troubleshooting and coordination across range and network teams.

Education

  • Master of Engineering, Systems Engineering, 2014, GPA: 4.0, Colorado State University
  • Bachelor of Science, Computer Science, 2000, GPA: 3.661, California State University

Skills

  • Leadership: Engineering team leadership (product development and support)
  • Architecture: Distributed LVC systems communications, interface modeling, design, and implementation
  • Engineering: Software development (using C++ and other programming languages)

For some information about my personal life, please see my about page.

Career Status

I am currently exploring an innovation engineering role focused on developing practical in-house capability concepts for a specialized test and evaluation environment. The role centers on identifying technical and operational problems, shaping candidate solutions, collecting stakeholder feedback, and helping mature selected concepts into experiments, prototypes, or supported engineering efforts.

This direction reflects both my broader systems experience and my long-standing interest in hands-on engineering. My goal is to remain close to implementation while using my background in software development, distributed systems, interface modeling, and operational support to help turn useful ideas into working capabilities. Where priorities and funding align, I expect to contribute directly to selected projects through experimentation, prototyping, software development, and early product shaping.

I continue to be most interested in roles that combine practical engineering judgment with direct technical contribution, especially where durable software solutions can reduce manual burden, improve repeatability, and support mission users more effectively.