Lance Simms
About Lance Simms
Lance Simms is a physicist and software engineer with extensive experience in satellite missions and embedded systems. He holds a PhD in Applied Physics from Stanford University and currently works at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, where he develops software for satellite payloads.
Work at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Lance Simms currently holds the position of Physicist/Software Engineer at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, where he has worked since 2012. In this role, he serves as the primary architect and developer for C/C++ control software used on satellite payloads. He is responsible for creating customized embedded Linux builds for processors and System on Modules (SOMs) using Yocto/Bitbake. Additionally, he writes low-level device drivers for cameras and various sensors and ports real-time operating systems to microprocessors using assembly code. Simms also acts as a subject matter expert for the embedded development group within the laboratory.
Education and Expertise
Lance Simms has an extensive educational background in applied physics and physics. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics from the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he studied Quantum Mechanics, Classical Mechanics, and Computational Fluid Dynamics from 1999 to 2003. He continued his studies at Stanford University, obtaining a Master of Science in Applied Physics from 2004 to 2006, followed by a PhD in Applied Physics from 2004 to 2009. His academic training has equipped him with a strong foundation in both theoretical and practical aspects of physics and engineering.
Background
Before his current role, Lance Simms held various positions that contributed to his expertise in physics and software engineering. He worked as a Postdoctoral Researcher at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory from 2010 to 2012 and served as the President of the Postdoc Association during that time. He also worked as an ALMA Commissioning Scientist at Associated Universities Inc for five months in 2010. His experience includes roles at Stanford University as a Computer Consultant and Research Assistant, as well as a Software Engineer at Rochester Institute of Technology.
Leadership Roles
Lance Simms has demonstrated leadership in academic and professional settings. He served as President of the Stanford Astronomical Society from 2006 to 2008, where he led initiatives to promote astronomical research and education. Additionally, he held the position of President of the Postdoc Association at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory from 2011 to 2012, where he represented the interests of postdoctoral researchers and facilitated networking opportunities.
Technical Contributions
Lance Simms has made significant technical contributions in the field of embedded systems and satellite missions. He has served as the operations and astrodynamics lead for several satellite missions, showcasing his ability to integrate complex systems and manage critical operations. His work includes writing low-level device drivers and developing software that supports satellite payload functionality, which highlights his technical proficiency and problem-solving skills in high-stakes environments.