This week’s interview is with Ben Burleson.
Jessica Barton: What is your job title?
Ben Burleson: Computer Engineer
JB: What does your work at LCOGT involve?
BB: My main goal is to write software that controls different robotic parts of the telescopes and reports status of various things on the telescopes. This software is the interface between the user (which could be a human or another piece of software) and the electro-mechanical parts that make the telescopes robotic. I spend equal amounts of time working with our electrical engineer and designing the controllers' web-based interface.
JB: Could you tell us a little bit about yourself - your education, interests, past work experiences.
BB: I've always been extremely inquisitive about mechanics, electronics, and computers. As a kid I would take apart anything that I didn't understand, just to see what was inside. I broke our first family computer trying to edit a compiled system file...I wondered what would happen. As soon as a programming class was available in high school, I took it. I stayed on the same track through college, where I graduated with a BS in Computer Engineering at the University of Nebraska. That program was roughly half programming and half electrical engineering, so it turned out to be a perfect fit for what I do at LCO. My first job out of college was at Raytheon, working in a pure software world, not nearly as fun as robotics!
Outside of the technical world, I enjoy running and hiking and relaxing with friends in our beautiful town.
JB: What is a typical day at work like?
BB: A typical day for me involves a lot of work between my computer and workbench, just behind me. (The picture below is of one of the microcontrollers on my workbench.) I get to work with prototype hardware, get the controller designed and running, then debug as needed. Sometimes debugging means software, sometimes it means connecting the oscilloscope or logic analyzer. It's always rewarding to see it all working in the end.
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JB: What advice would you offer people wanting to go into the type of work you do?
Keep asking questions. Asking questions doesn't mean you're stupid; it's exactly the opposite, it shows your brain is working. I really value my education, not because of the specific things learned, but because of the way it taught me to approach complex problems. It's essential to know how to break a problem down into tasks that can be tackled. It takes a lot of effort, but it is very rewarding.
JB: Thanks Ben!