Hi, my name is
Eric Jihun Kim.

Aerospace engineer and researcher, specialized in autonomous control systems.
Currently an aerospace engineer in the Royal Canadian Air Force.

01. About


I am an aerospace engineering officer in the RCAF as well as a researcher studying the design and implementation of autonomous flight systems for unmanned aerial vehicles.

Recent works have been focused on the use of artificial neural networks in the trajectory planning and guidance schemes of autopilot systems, which has been the subject of a M.A.Sc., available below.

Some of the fields, disciplines, and tools with which I am familiar include:

  • Optimization
  • Control systems
  • Reinforcement learning
  • Deep learning
  • Python
  • Matlab
  • C++

02. Experience


  • July 2023 - Current

    Systems Engineer

    414 Electronic Warfare Support Squadron

    Ottawa, ON

    Reprogramming flight for maritime air assets.

  • May 2022 - July 2023

    Aerospace Engineering Officer Basic Course

    CFB Borden

    Borden, ON

    Aerospace engineering officer trade course in the RCAF.

  • September 2020 - May 2022

    M.A.Sc. Aeronautical Engineering

    Royal Military College of Canada

    Kingston, ON

    Graduated with a M.A.Sc. in aeronautical engineering from RMC. Primary research effort was centered around the application of artificial neural networks for the development of autonomous flight.

  • September 2016 - May 2020

    B.Eng. Electrical Engineering

    Royal Military College of Canada

    Kingston, ON

    Attended RMC as an electrical engineering undergraduate. Successfully graduated after completion of the four year program with a final year thesis on the development of a multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) image transmission communications system using a software defined radio.

03. Research


Publications

Robust Neurocontrol for Autonomous Dynamic Soaring
E. Kim, R. Perez
AIAA JGCD, 2023 link
Robust Neurocontrol for Autonomous Dynamic Soaring
E. Kim, R. Perez
AIAA SciTech, 2022 download link
Neuroevolutionary Control for Autonomous Soaring
E. Kim, R. Perez
MDPI Aerospace, 2021 download link
Robust Neurocontrol for Autonomous Soaring
E. Kim
M.A.Sc. Thesis, 2022 download link
Image Transmission Using an SDR Based MIMO System
E. Kim, T. Jung
B.Eng. Thesis, 2020 download

Abstract

04. Projects



Deep Learning Soaring

cover_deeplearning
Implemented the proximal policy optimization (PPO) algorithm to train a 3DOF flight model in simulation for autonomous dynamic soaring.

Nano-Bot

cover_selfbalancebot
Created a self-balancing pendulum robot from scratch using an Arduino Nano. Sensors included wheel encoders and a 6DOF IMU, with motors controlled through a PID loop.

MatFlightViz

cover_flightsimvis
Created a Matlab-based flight simulation animator for 3DOF flight model trajectories. Takes 3D STL model and aircraft state trajectories and outputs animation in .gif or .avi format.

Web Design

cover_site1
Designed website from scratch using HTML, CSS, and Javascript. Used SQL to manage databases for commercial applications.

05. Awards


  • RCAF Foundation Student Scholarship | RCAF Foundation | 2021/08
    Offered to post-secondary students in STEM areas of study who are planning future careers in the fields of either Aviation or Aerospace.

  • Departmental Medal in Electrical Engineering | RMC | 2020/08
    Awarded to the graduating student standing highest in the programme, providing an overall average of A- or better.

  • Ontario Professional Engineers Gold Medal for Academic Achievement | OPEF | 2020/08
    Awarded each year to the engineering student with the highest academic standing in the final year.

  • Canadian Forces Engineering Prize - Silver Plate | RMC | 2020/08
    Awarded to the best graduating cadet enrolled in a military engineering occupation, based on high standards of proficiency in each of the four pillars of the RMC programme.

  • Chikhani Award | RMC | 2020/08
    Awarded to the fourth year project group in electrical and computer engineering deemed to have the best project by the members of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department.

  • Ontario Professional Engineers Foundation for Education Undergraduate Scholarship | OPEF | 2019/09
    Awarded annually to full-time undergraduate students enrolled in CEAB-Accredited programs in the Faculty of Engineering, recognizing outstanding students. Selection is based on academic achievement, demonstrated leadership through participation in professional affairs, volunteer and/or extracurricular activities.

  • Howard B. Ripstein Award of Excellence for Third Year | RMC | 2019/09
    Awarded to a cadet who has demonstrated excellence in all four pillars of the RMC programme.

  • Royal Military College of Canada Award For Academic Excellence in Third Year | RMC | 2019/09
    Awarded to the student who has obtained the highest academic standing in their year.

  • Ontario Professional Engineers Foundation for Education Undergraduate Scholarship | OPEF | 2018/09

  • Royal Military College of Canada Award For Academic Excellence in Second Year | RMC | 2018/09

  • Royal Military College of Canada Award For Academic Excellence in First Year | RMC | 2017/05

06. Contact


Feel free to reach out with any questions or requests. You can email me directly or message me on social media.