Jacob Nellis

Software Engineer
Madison, WI
jacob.stephen.nellis@gmail.com

Summary

Software Engineer with strong full-stack development experience and a unique background in aerospace engineering. Specialized in developing custom integration tools, data pipelines, and enterprise applications. Experience ranges from designing ERP integration systems to developing scientific data acquisition software for NASA missions. Proven track record of delivering high-quality software solutions across multiple domains.

Projects

SimpleChart | January 2024 - Present

  • Develop visualization tool embedded in NetSuite
  • Utilize Observable framework for data visuals
  • SQL backend to pull data into visuals on load

BoostSync Integration Tool | June 2024 – Present

  • Develop a SuiteApplication similar to Celigo, enabling custom synchronization of objects across ERP and CRM systems
  • Implement comprehensive business logic for data transformation, validation, and synchronization
  • Create a flexible mapping system allowing non-technical users to configure integrations
  • Engineer robust error handling and logging to ensure data integrity during transfers
  • Implement features supporting custom transformations, mappings, and de-duplication procedures


EES AI Librarian | Dec. 2024 - Present

  • Design and implement an AI librarian agent within Engineering Equation Solver (EES) that leverages RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) to answer user technical queries
  • Build backend database architecture to store and efficiently retrieve technical documentation and reference materials
  • Create natural language processing interface to improve accessibility of complex engineering information


NetSuite SQL Chrome Extension | June 2023 – Present

  • Engineer a Chrome extension providing an intuitive interface for writing, managing, and testing SQL queries in NetSuite
  • Implement dynamic typing suggestions based on active account's schema analysis
  • Create persistent storage functionality allowing users to save and manage queries across multiple accounts
  • Design user-friendly interface with results visualization and export capabilities
  • Enable users to maintain a personal query library across multiple accounts


EXCLAIM Sub-K Cooling System | Pyquisition | May 2021 – May 2023

  • Designed and fabricated a 3-stage continuous adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator (CADR) to cool a balloon-borne telescope’s detector array to 100 mK for the EXCLAIM mission at NASA Goddard.
  • Architect and develop a versatile data acquisition system in Python with modular architecture for experimental setups
  • Optimize system performance achieving measurement precision comparable to NIST standards
  • Implement at NASA's thermal conductance lab with results comparable to NIST standards
  • Contribute to publications in the International Cryogenics and Materials Conference and the International Society for Optics and Photonics


CS 759: Neural Network with Parallel Computing | Jan. 2021 - May 2021

  • Built a customizable feedforward neural network in C++, capable of training and testing both serially and in parallel, using OpenMP for parallelization.
  • Implemented backpropagation and matrix operations from scratch, demonstrating concepts like gradient descent, overfitting, and performance bottlenecks.


CS 459: Covid-19 Spread Simulation | Sept. 2019 - Dec. 2019

  • Developed a pandemic simulation in Python to model COVID-19 spread using adjustable parameters like social distancing, travel, and transmission rates.
  • Built an interactive GUI with real-time visualization using Tkinter and matplotlib, allowing users to test and observe the impact of public health policies.
  • Implemented object-oriented design with person, group, and simulation objects; used network graphs to show social connections and virus transmission.

Professional Experience

Software Engineer — Consultant

goVirtualOffice, LLC | Madison, WI | Aug. 2023 – Present

  • Design and implement custom integration solutions for enterprise systems, focusing on scalable and maintainable code architecture
  • Develop comprehensive ETL pipelines between disparate systems, reducing data synchronization time and client reliance on IPAAS software
  • Build and maintain client-specific data solutions using JavaScript, Python, Snowflake, Oracle ADW, AWS, and Azure
  • Implement automated testing strategies to ensure high reliability of mission-critical integration systems
  • Consistently provide high profit margins for the company while maintaining customer satisfaction

Web Developer & AI Engineer (Part-time)

FChart-Software | Madison, WI | Sep. 2024 – Present

  • Manage and maintain company website using PHP, ensuring optimal performance and user experience
  • Design and implement an AI librarian agent within Engineering Equation Solver (EES) that leverages RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) to answer user technical queries
  • Build backend database architecture to store and efficiently retrieve technical documentation and reference materials
  • Create natural language processing interface to improve accessibility of complex engineering information
  • Work approximately 20 hours per month while maintaining full-time consulting position

Aerospace Engineer — Project Design Lead

National Aeronautics and Space Administration | Goddard, MD | May 2021 – May 2023

  • Lead the design, fabrication, and testing of the Sub-Kelvin cooling system on the Experiment for Cryogenic Large Aperture Intensity Mapping (EXCLAIM) Mission
  • Develop software controls and data analysis tools in Python for system performance evaluation
  • Design automated test procedures and data collection infrastructure
  • Present work on all phases of the project for multiple review boards
  • Receive the Special Act award for the development of Pyquisition
  • Technologies Used: Python, Labview, Matlab, Creo, C++

Engineering Trainee

NASA Pathways Co-Op | Goddard, MD | May 2020 - Aug. 2020

  • Lead the development of the desiccation chamber testing system and control software on the Collaborative Acceptance and Distribution of Europa Samples (CADMES) Project
  • Create data collection and analysis tools for the Failure Review Board
  • Assist in testing as part of the Failure Review Board for the Mars Organic Molecular Analyzer

Education

Master of Science - Mechanical Engineering

University of Wisconsin | Madison, WI | Aug. 2020 – May 2021

  • Focus on computational methods and software applications in engineering
  • Key Courses: Operating Systems, High Performance Computing for Applications in Engineering

Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering

University of Wisconsin | Madison, WI | Aug. 2016 – May 2019

  • Complementary coursework in computer science and mathematics
  • Key Courses: Combinatorics, Linear Algebra, Data Structures, Intro to Programming

Contact Me

Publications

  • Contributor to publications in the International Cryogenics and Materials Conference and the International Society for Optics and Photonics
  • Presented findings on cryogenic cooling system design to NASA review boards