Summary

Graduating Electrical Engineering student with hands-on experience in RF systems, telemetry analysis, and mission-critical communications. Demonstrates the ability to design and operate integrated hardware/software systems, including UAV-based SDR platforms and satellite onboard computer interfaces. Experienced in real-time operations and data-driven decision-making through Civil Air Patrol mission leadership roles. Passionate about satellite systems, autonomy, and high-reliability aerospace engineering.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (Undergraduate)

Sonoma State University | GPA: 3.31

WORK EXPERIENCE

Lead Systems Engineer & Founder, VECTOR-SARDF | August 2025 - Present

• Leading end-to-end development and field deployment of a UAV-based SDR system for realtime detection and localization of ELTs (121.5/121.775 MHz) in search-and-rescue missions.

• Designed and implemented an RSSI-based direction-finding pipeline, logging power and GPS data, and applying gradient-based line-of-bearing estimation.

• Designed the airborne RF front-end and link budget, including antenna selection, filtering, limiter protection, and SDR gain planning.

• Developing post-processing and triangulation workflows using MATLAB and Google Earth to estimate ELT locations from flight data.

• Validated system performance using the AERPAW Digital Twin and Channel Sounder, and conducted the project in collaboration with Civil Air Patrol (USAF Auxiliary).

Electrical Engineer Intern, Jump Aero Inc. | June 2025 - December 2025

• Co-designed a conceptual and early-stage design of a terrain-adaptable aircraft tug for EVTOL Aircraft, focusing on mechanical load paths, stability, and operational safety.

• Assisted in the routing of electrical harnesses and plumbing coolant for prototype subsystem integration and power distribution concepts.

• Participated in subsystem testing, prototype validation, and troubleshooting efforts related to electrical and mechanical integration.
  
  

CubeSat Engineer Assistant, EdEon, 3UCubed Satellite (LEO) | September 2024 - August 2025

• Configuring and programming the EnduroSat On-Board Computer (OBC) for telemetry processing and system operations.

• Writing and implementing code in C and Python to facilitate OBC and Transceiver operations.

• Assisting in the design, testing, and optimization of radio frequency (RF) systems for ground-to-satellite telemetry and data downlink.

• Supporting end-to-end telemetry transmission and reception between the satellite OBC and the Sonoma State University ground station

• Contributed to pre-launch development and testing of a CubeSat mission that has since successfully launched and is now operating on-orbit.
  
  

CAD Technician I & EnergyPro Operator, EnergyLogics Inc. | August 2019 - December 2025

• Assist produce technical AutoCAD drawings and EnergyPro documentation in support of MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) systems for residential and commercial construction.

• Assist Certified Energy Managers (CEM) and engineers in ensuring compliance with California Title 24 energy efficiency standards for new and existing buildings.
  
  

Student Ambassador, Sonoma State University Police Department | September 2022 - Present

• Help law enforcement officers with their duties and responsibilities to ensure public safety around the community, and provide LiveScan Services.

• FEMA ICS Introductory Course and Radio Communications Instructor for Police Student Interns.

• Led Various Police Community Policing Initiatives.
  
  

1st Lt, Primary Emergency Services & Disaster Relief Officer, Civil Air Patrol, USAF Auxiliary | January 2026 - Present

• Lead and coordinate air and ground emergency services and disaster relief missions supporting USAF and Cal OES tasking.

• Oversee SAR, disaster response, and aerial reconnaissance operations to ensure safe, effective execution.

• Serve in incident command and aviation safety roles including Planning Section Chief, Operations Section Chief (Trainee), Air Operations Branch Director, and Flight Release Officer.

• Train and evaluate personnel in Urban Direction Finding (UDF), Mission Staff Assistant (MSA), and Aircrew Mission Scanner roles.

Email: AaronJohn.Estrada@gmail.com

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

Operational Support – ASWBPL Logistics (Travis AFB) | April 2026 - Present

• Standby Support for Armed Services Whole Blood Processing Laboratory West (ASWBPL) operations at Travis Air Force Base

• Volunteer to assist in preparing, packaging, and handling of blood products for time-critical Blood transport missions for the United States Indo-Pacific Command & Southern Command.

Disaster Service Worker, California Governor's Office of Emergency Services | September 2024 - Present

Candidate Auxiliary Communications Volunteer | September - December 2025

• Operate amateur radio, public-safety radio systems, and digital communication platforms during drills, training, and emergency events (Sonoma County Emergency Management).
  
  

AWARDS & HONOURS

• Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition - Representative Mike Thompson, US House of Representatives · May 2025

• California Legislature Assembly Certificate of Recognition - California State Representative Damon Connolly & Senator Christopher Cabaldon · May 2025

• Certificate of Honor - Supervisors David Rabbitt and Chris Coursey, Sonoma County Board of Supervisors · May 2025

• Employee of the Year 2024 - Sonoma State University Police Department

• Public Safety Professional of the Year 2024 - Rohnert Park-Cotati Rotary Club · May 2025

• 2025 Face of SSU - Sonoma State University

• Lt. Col. David J. Reber Emergency Services Officer of the Year Award - Sonoma County Composite Squadron 157 · Sep 2024

• Distinguished Service Commendation - Nader Oweis, Chief of Police · May 2024

• Find Ribbon (3x) - U.S. Air Force Civil Air Patrol (awarded for distress or non-distress finds during Search & Rescue missions)

  
  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Technical Skills: RF & Wireless Systems (RTL-SDR, BladeRF, B200mini), UAV & Avionics Systems (Pixhawk, QGroundControl, Flight Controllers), Embedded Systems & Electronics (Arduino, STM32, Raspberry Pi, Jetson Nano), Signal Processing & Sensor Fusion (RF + GPS/IMU), Automatic Systems & Navigation, Communication Protocols (UART, I2C, Telemetry Links), Ground Control & Telemetry Systems, Link Budget Analysis, MATLAB, Python, GNU Radio, Electrical Design & Troubleshooting, CAD & Modeling (Onshape), Drone Piloting.

• Languages: English, Tagalog, Elementary Spanish

• Certifications: FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot, Certified Open Source Intelligence (C|OSINT) — Candidate, Autodesk AutoCAD & Fusion 360 (Vocational Training), FCC HAM Technician: KO6FAK, FCC GRMS License: WROS938, FEMA ICS Certified (IS-100, 200, 5, 15, 700, 800, 300, 400, 26, SEMS G606), The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) - FAA, Emergency Services Aircrew Rating & Groundcrew Rating

• Flight Hours:

  • Cessna 182-T

    • Mission Observer: 8 hours (2 Hours in a G1000)

    • Mission Scanner: 20 hours

  • DJI Mini SE & 2 (300+ Combined Flight Hours

  • Skydio X2D (11.5 Flight Hours)

  • Amateur RC Aircraft (100+ Combined Flight Hours)

© Aaron Estrada 2026