Joe Varnell

FIRST Senior Mentor/FIRST Technical Advisor

About

I believe Robotics is one of the best ways to teach and put Engineering into action and I believe FIRST has the best, most organized Robotics competition. I am a constant learner, I love the on-line learning movement, also called Open Courseware. I go to MIT Open Courseware, Stanford and various other college Courseware sites. I also go to on-line courses such as Udacity.com. I work a lot with FIRST Robotics. I strongly believe out kids are our future and want to do all I can to help them fulfill their potential. By volunteering with FIRST I feel like I'm helping them reach that potential. I currently help out as a FIRST Senior Mentor, FIRST Technical Adviser, and FIRST Control Systems Analyst. I specialize in software. I mainly use Java, C/C++, and LabVIEW. I am leaning about Artificial Intelligence mainly in the area of Neural Networks and Genetic Algorithms. I'm also learning about Autonomous Robotic vehicles, Fractal Geometry and Chaos theory. I'm trying to find some links between AI and Fractal Geometry. I'm also building and programming my own robot at home. It will be a larger robot 30 x 30 inch. I'm working on implementing a particle filter for localization. Specialties: NI LabWindows CVI, LabVIEW, C/C++, Java, Problem Solver, Trouble Shooter, Continuous Learner

Country

United States

City

Grand Prairie

Industry

Information Technology & Services

Skill

Labview, Engineering, Software Engineering, Programming, Embedded Systems, C/C++, Robotics

Experience

FIRST Senior Mentor/FIRST Technical Advisor

FIRST Robotics

2012-1 - Present · 14 yrs 9 mos

USA

FIRST is an acryonym, For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology. It has STEM/Robotics programs for K thru 12. As FIRST Technical Adviser (FTA) I'm in charge of the competition portion of the FIRST Robotics Competitions (FRC) events, the high school age group. I work closely with the Event Planners and the Regional Directors to ensure FIRST teams have a great experience. I represent FIRST Head Quarters for the competition and make sure all goes well.

FIRST Senior Mentor/FIRST Technical Advisor

FIRST

2009 - Present · 17 yrs

As FIRST Senior Mentor, I work with all the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) FIRST Lego League (FLL) Jr. FLL, FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) and FIRST Robotics competition (FRC). I do what every it takes to help make the kids successful. I teach classes in programming, teach how to build robots, and teach about sensors. I also am an advocate for FIRST.

FIRST Senior Mentor Emeritus/FIRST Technical Advisor

FIRST

2023-6 - 2025-7 · 2 yrs 2 mos

Grand Prairie, Texas, United States

FRC Team 4206 Asst head coach

Nolan Catholic HS

2023-8 - 2025-9 · 2 yrs 2 mos

Ft Worth Tx

Helping the Head coach keep things going and helping the kids and mentors be successful

Software Engineer

Lockheed Martin

1995-8 - 2022-1 · 26 yrs 6 mos

Grand Prairie, Texas, United States

I'm currently working to develop Real-Time simulations for Hardware In the Loop. I mainly develop the real-time software portion of the Real-Time Simulation, working with RF and the radar target simulation and interface. Also working the menu and interfaces to the each missile subsystem. Prior work at Lockheed has been in Test Engineering developing tests, test software and hardware to test missile systems and subsystems for production and for design development. Earlier work was software for missile guidance in flyout guidance and Interfacing the to the seeker for terminal guidance. I have worked in the Systems Engineering group doing Simulations.