David Tapia

David Tapia has extensive work experience in software engineering, with a focus on robotics and automation. David currently serves as a Senior Lead Software Engineer at Sarcos Technology and Robotics Corporation, where they lead the development of software for the Guardian XM hydroblasting product line. David has implemented Agile methodologies, such as SCRUM and sprint planning, to improve team communication and cohesion.

Prior to their current role, Tapia worked as a Staff Software Engineer at Locomation, where they designed and implemented a ROS2 migration framework for a large autonomy code-base. This framework allowed for the phased migration of the existing ROS1 codebase to ROS2 and ensured compliance with ISO 26262/ASIL-D certification.

Tapia also served as a Senior Software Engineer at PROTOINNOVATIONS, LLC, where they designed and implemented a ROS2 architecture for robotic rovers. David created a scalable process for managing source-code changes and leveraged the ros1_bridge for message passing between ROS2 and ROS1 nodes.

Before joining PROTOINNOVATIONS, LLC, Tapia worked as a Senior Software Engineer at Bossa Nova Robotics, where they contributed to the Navigation team. David developed a Stage-testing framework and implemented features to increase aisle coverage rates.

Tapia's earlier work experience includes roles as a Research & Development Engineer at The Pennsylvania State University Applied Research Laboratory, where they implemented software features for intelligent autonomous undersea vehicles, and as a Software Engineer at General Electric Inspection Technologies, where they created software components and user interfaces for non-destructive testing instruments.

David also worked as a Senior Development Engineer and Research & Development Engineer at Cantada, Inc and The Pennsylvania State University Applied Research Laboratory, respectively, where they conducted vulnerability and cyber-security research and worked on various research projects in the commercial and defense industry.

Tapia started their career as a Software Engineer at Raytheon, where they gained foundational experience in software development.

Overall, Tapia has a strong background in software engineering, with expertise in robotics, automation, ROS2 migration, Agile methodologies, and user interface development.

David Tapia attended Bowling Green State University, where they completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Computer Science.