Hello!
I am a recent graduate from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Currently, I'm at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, creating custom tooling for the team working on advancing the Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) technologies.
Some of my interests include: machine learning, requirements engineering, Low-level software, game development, and anything in between.
Education
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Master of Science in Software Engineering
May 2025Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering
May 2024Minor in Electrical & Computer Engineering
Experience
Software Engineering Intern
NASA
Summer 2025- ● Automated a complex build system to resolve deep dependency chains and ensure reproducible builds across Linux distros.
- ● Built a user-configurable install tool to simplify C library setup, increasing efficiency and flexibility in the team’s workflow.
- ● Developed a config-driven CLI tool that lowered schedule creation time by replacing GUI inputs with scriptable commands.
Systems Engineering Intern
NASA
Summer 2024- ● Elicited requirements and developed a software prototype of a new digital item tagging system for flight-ready hardware.
- ● Conducted a feasibility study on the adoption of my new system, including a cost-benefit analysis, employee interviews, etc.
- ● Solely authored & presented a detailed plan of action to implement my work across all of Johnson Space Center.
Software Engineering Intern
Honeywell Aerospace
Summer 2023- ● Greatly increased team throughput by designing & implementing a tool to automate airplane HUD code integration.
- ● Contributed to cockpit display design choices by interviewing members of human factors & engineering teams.
- ● Designed & ran verification tests as well as creating detailed client reports (latency testing, test cases, specifications).
Grad Teaching Assistant
Embry-RiddleEmbry-Riddle Aeronautical University
2022 - 2025- ● Managed multiple software projects developed by teams learning to navigate the software development life cycle.
- ● Redesigned course structure & created new assignments to better align with ABET accreditation standards.
- ● Delivered lectures on topics such as Agile, resource/risk management, documentation, V&V, modeling, version control, etc.
Projects
Gateway Digital Twin (Model-Based Systems Engineering)
VisitModeled avionics system using MagicDraw & the MagicGrid framework under guidance of Dassault Systèmes and NASA. Created fault trees (FTA) & conducted failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) on the model.
Trp: The Airport Navigation App
VisitAn Android phone application created as a class project, this app is designed to help users navigate large airports. Users can view ticket information, departing flights, and airport maps.
Canvas Student Work Autograder
VisitScript created in sophomore year to automatically interface with Canvas (student homework system). Reduced time to grade CS222 class from 6 hours per week to 1.5 hours per week (with an average of 60 students).
Rust To-do List App
VisitSimple app created for me to learn Rust. Users can organize tasks in a calendar and categorize them using a built-in kanban board. Runs entirely in your terminal!
Publications
IEEE MOST Conference 2024An Integrated Scenario-Based Testing and Explanation Framework for Autonomous VehiclesQuentin Goss; W. Clay Pate; Mustafa İlhan Akbaş
IEEE FIE Conference 2023An Ontology and Management System for Learning Outcomes and Student MasterySarah Reynolds; William C. Pate; Omar Ochoa
Contact Me
WilliamPate64@gmail.com