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Scott Jacobs |
Software Engineer Chooses Taiwan
Scott Jacobs
June 2009
Biking across Taiwan, traveling throughout Vietnam, Hong Kong, and Thailand, becoming a certified scuba diver, exploring Australia and New Zealand—these are just some of the many things MITRE's Scott Jacobs has done from his home base in Taipei, Taiwan. Jacobs, a software systems engineer in the Center for Advanced Aviation System Development (CAASD), which is the Federal Aviation Administration's federally funded research and development center, began his assignment in Taiwan in March 2007. In the fall of 2008, he became the new site leader and program manager.
The multi-lingual Jacobs (he speaks Thai fluently and has picked up some Mandarin in his tour in Taiwan) first came to MITRE's McLean, Va., campus in 2005. "I have a software development background, and I had spent several years as a contractor working with MITRE helping design and build the core flight planning systems behind several current initiatives that now use a Java platform-independent core set of programs," he says. "After I came to MITRE, I continued my work in this area as well as software development for the URET program and advanced flight planning and conflict detection and resolution programs." (URET, or User Request Evaluation Tool, provides automated decision support to air traffic controllers and is used throughout the National Airspace System.)
"I have always been interested in working overseas and enjoy immersing myself in different cultures. When a space in the Taiwan program became available, I applied for the position and was in Taipei a couple of months later."
Currently, MITRE CAASD works overseas with several government and civil aviation authorities. This work encompasses enterprise systems engineering and information technology solutions for air traffic and airspace management, airport and network engineering and system integration, airport capacity planning, design and analysis, and aviation safety management systems.
Facilitating Modernization Efforts
Over the past five years, the company's work in Taiwan has centered on modernizing the Taiwanese air traffic management (ATM) systems, including the communication, navigation, and surveillance systems. "The major program right now is supporting the Taiwan Civil Aeronautics Administration Air Navigation and Weather Service [ANWS], the division responsible for air traffic control and aviation weather for Taiwan," Jacobs says. "With MITRE's assistance, ANWS has procured a new ATM system for the whole country—en route, terminal, tower—as well as an aeronautical information system and voice switch. Besides this principal procurement, ANWS is in the process of procuring a new ADS-B system and new radars in the coming months. MITRE is the consultant for all of these programs, which means we look at the current systems and compare possible future needs to the budget, assist ANWS in prioritizing needs, assembling procurement documents, reviewing tenders, and providing recommendations. During the procurement, MITRE assists ANWS in monitoring the contract through requirements and design reviews, factory testing, then installation, integration, and site acceptance, ensuring the contractors are on schedule and meeting the requirements."
MITRE's Taipei, Taiwan site
Established in 2003, MITRE's site in Taipei supports the Taiwanese Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) in its efforts to modernize its communication, navigation, surveillance and air traffic management systems. The site is located at the Songshan airport across the street from CAA headquarters. If you are interested in more information about short and long duration positions that are open from time to time in Taiwan, please contact Scott Jacobs using the Employee Directory. |
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As program manager, these days Jacobs focuses less on software development and more on oversight. "My work involves developing requirements, ensuring vendors build to the requirements, researching global trends, and providing input into design of new and existing software systems," he says. "One of our major tasks over the past year has been to develop a factory acceptance test [FAT] plan and the test procedures with the ATM vendor. This spring, the team went to Melbourne, Australia, where the vendor is based, for two months and performed the FAT—a long and rigorous test regimen—of the new air traffic management systems."
He adds, "In addition, I have a few new responsibilities in my role as site leader—office management, hiring, and approval of new staff, and interaction with other CAA divisions."
For Jacobs, who came to MITRE from the private sector, our role as an impartial advisor is what distinguishes MITRE from many other companies.
"Without a doubt, the best part of working for MITRE is the objectivity. By not putting the bottom line above all else, it allows our team to do our best work and make the decisions and recommendations that are best for the customer. I believe that this objectivity really does make MITRE well-respected abroad—and often sought after."
Finding His Way in Taipei
Adjusting to life in Asia has been fairly easy for Jacobs. "My transfer here went very smoothly," he says. "MITRE has people in place to help with the move, with reimbursements, and with making contacts. I've enjoyed my time here. My commute only takes a couple of minutes, as the office is a block away from my apartment. Taipei is a fantastic city—the streets are very clean, the people are friendly, and even though there are 10 million Taiwanese in metropolitan Taipei, it doesn't seem crowded compared to Hong Kong or New York."
The move has had its challenges, however. "Initially, the biggest adjustment was the Chinese language," he says. "Being undecipherable to me, it prevented me from breaking out of the Western expat community and getting to know the Taiwanese and their culture in depth. But now, two years in, the biggest adjustment is finding time to do all the things I used to do outside of work—bicycling, hiking, and finding the best German sausages and sauerkraut in Taiwan!"
—by Kay M. Upham
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