Performance Software Spring 2015 CE Co-op
Jacob
Experience Information
Employer: Performance Software
Job Title: Engineering Intern
Major: Computer Engineering
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
Performance Software provides software solutions specializing in embedded avionics. Additionally, they develop software for the power distribution and medical device industries. PSware does software development on fixed-price contracts. Companies that require additional resources to finish a project hire the team at PSware to get the work done.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
I am working on a project with a large team of people from both Performance Software and GE Aviation. My team is responsible for validation and verification of the aircraft health monitoring system. The project utilizes agile software development because the software being tested is still under development. An application interface written in Java is used to prepare automated test scripts.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
I learned how to program in Python and used advanced concepts from the language in real applications. GE introduced me to the Scrum methodology of developing software. I researched HTTP POST that is used to send commands to the software system being tested. Java Script Object Notation (JSON) was regularly used for retrieving information from the system. A bit of Linux shell scripting was needed to verify some of the tests.
Favorite Part of the Experience
This semester was my first time working directly with a team on a project. In past experiences I had only been working on side projects but now I am directly responsible for producing results for a customer. I work closely with a senior engineer to make the work flow smoothly, and it helps to gain experience while being guided. The work environment at PSware is relaxed and the team is fun to work with.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
After making the choice to become an engineer, I settled on computers because it fit best with my interests. Software engineering is the type of job that I am happy to work as hard as possible at becoming excellent. Getting to work on a real project makes me feel determined to strive for that excellence in a way that I have never before felt so tangibly.