Nathan G.

Kocher (717) 309-9774

nathangkocher@gmail.com
2315 Warwick Road, York, PA 17408

OBJECTIVE
To further my career in control-systems engineering and gain additional experience designing control systems
for automation and data acquisition using programmable-logic controllers (PLC), microcontrollers, or FPGA-
based control systems.
SUMMARY
 Electrical engineering and physics undergraduate with three internships in design and testing.
 Experience in design, procurement, programming, implementation and testing of a control system.
 Department of Energy (DOE) security clearance (L).
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering August 2009 - May 2011 (est.)
Specialization in control and power systems. GPA: 3.16 / 4.0 (33 Credits)
The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania Currently attending

Bachelor of Science in Physics, minor in mathematics August 2006 – May 2009

West Chester University, West Chester, Pennsylvania GPA: 3.55 / 4.0 (99 Credits)
(Dual-degree, transfer program)
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Electrical Engineer Intern, May 2010 – August 2010 Bechtel Marine Propulsion Corporation
Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory, West Mifflin, PA
 Evaluated the network performance of the Time-triggered Ethernet protocol for use in a real-time, safety-
critical instrumentation and control system.
 Implemented a redundant, mixed-traffic network (safety-critical data and other traffic), developed testing
methods, and performed a network analysis using Network Instruments’ Gigastor probe.
 Tested system response as a function of switch capacity by generating UDP background traffic.
 Developed MATLAB scripts for post-processing packet data and to calculate network parameters (delay
through switch, data-to-clock jitter) and to quantify data loss at varied switch loading levels.

Electrical Engineer Intern, May 2009 – August 2009

 Assembled, networked, programmed, field-wired, and tested a PLC-based control panel capable of
controlling circuit breaker operation and the monitoring of bus voltage.
 Installed Allen-Bradley PLC hardware (ControlLogix) and programmed the system using Rockwell
Software’s RSLogix5000, RSView32, and RSLinx.
 Programmed a human-machine interface (HMI) to monitor and control 40 electric plant signals.
 Designed and drafted cabinet plans for PLC hardware, supporting relays, and motor controls.
 Procured $45,000 of PLC software and hardware.

Distribution Engineer Intern, May 2008 – August 2008 FirstEnergy Corporation

Metropolitan Edison, York, PA
 Performed circuit loading and switching studies.
 Assisted in reliability studies of power-distribution circuits and investigated causes of outages.
 Recommended distribution-side protection devices and submitted work requests for maintenance.

ACTIVITIES AND HONORS

 Society of Physics Students, President August 2008 – May 2009
 Sigma Pi Sigma Physics Honors Society, inductee April 2009 - Present
 Dr. Michael F. Martens Award 2008, 2009
RESEARCH
“A Study of Phase Transformations in Platinum Silicide (PtxSi) Thin Films” Spring 2009
 DC-magnetron sputtering of PtxSi in various thermal and atmospheric conditions
 Advisor: Dr. Matthew Waite, West Chester University of Pennsylvania
SOFTWARE AND PROGRAMMING EXPERIENCE

 MATLAB/Simulink, Mathematica, Maple, Java, C++, Objective-C, Visual Basic, RSLogix5000 (fn block &
ladder logic), RSLinx, RSView32, Wonderware, Microsoft Office, SAP, Windows XP/Vista/7, *NIX