David Cowling

Experience

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  Ministry of Defence Procurement Executive, UK

  Sept 1972 - Sept 1977

  Sponsored Student and Graduate Traineee

  I was awarded a sponsorship on the Ministry of Defence, Procurement Executives training program for engineers including:a) 1 year practical training at the Student Engineer Training Centre at the Royal Aircraft EstablishmentSummer vacation training positions at:b) British Aircraft Corporation Filton, shadowing quality engineers supervising of the 1st production Concorde assemblyc) Rocket Propulsion Establishment, Westcott, a small project to develop and test an emergency propellant detanking system.d) Westland Helicopters Yeovil, production engineering during the assembly of the 1st production Lynx helicopter.Post graduation training including:a) Trainee within the Ministry of Defence Resident Technical Office at Rolls Royce East Kilbride, supervising gas turbine engine support and maintenance contracts.b) Assigned to Rolls Royce Derby, turbine research department, working on analysis of a highly loaded gas turbine for a high by-pass engine. Work included data analysis and matching to computer program modelling. c) National Gas Turbine Establishment, Pystock, noise research department - analysis of test results. Show less

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  Ministry of Defence, Procurement Executive, UK

  Sept 1977 - Oct 1979

  Assistant Resident Technical Officer

  Local on site supervision of Ministry of Defence contracts for technical support for helicopter engines at Rolls Royce Leavesdon. Including, defect investigations and research contracts.

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  Ministry of Defence Procurement Executive, UK

  Oct 1979 - Jul 1983

  Project Officer

  Initially appointed Engine Project Officer for the original purchase of Chinook helicopters for the Royal Air Force. This role involved review of the technical aspects of the engine on the aircraft, its performance and progress towards delivery of the engines in the aircraft and subsequently management of the in service support from the manufacturer.Later appointed to be the lead assessment engineer for air breathing propulsion systems for unmanned air vehicles. Including supervision of engine development for existing unmanned vehicle projects. Show less

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  University of Bristol

  Jul 1983 - Jul 1992

  Lecturer in Aircraft Systems and Control

  Research on multivariable control, actuation systems, aircraft ground performance monitoring. Supervision of PhD students and research assistants.Development and delivery of modern control theory course for 2nd year studentsDevelopment and delivery of 3rd year aircraft systems and control course.Development of various laboratory exercises including: computer simulation of dynamic systems, microprocessor control of pressure measurements in a wind tunnel model, microprocessor control of an unstable wind tunnel model. Various other teaching duties including final year project development and supervision, supervision of one of several groups for the University's aircraft design course. Show less

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  Stirling Dynamics Ltd

  Jan 1988 - Feb 1999

  Technical Director

  I was involved in this company from the outset, creating it from start-up with Dr Robert Stirling, then a research fellow at the University of Bristol. The company at the time specialised in complex modelling and analysis of aircraft control and actuation systems including flexible dynamics, or ‘aeroservoelasticity’.My role included:1. Business development and preparation of proposals for contract award.2. Formulation of aeroservoelastic analyses.3. Concept development for flexible multi-body landing gear simulation including tyre runway interaction effects and braking control.4. Contract supervision and management.I led the team in developing the active inceptor technology that led to many contract awards by international companies and government agencies, including MacDonnell Douglas Helicopters, Lockheed Martin, and Boeing. Show less

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  WITTENSTEIN aerospace & simulation Ltd

  Apr 1999 - Mar 2019

  Reporting to the parent-company Board, I built up the team to 30 staff and developed the business in a new direction, diversifying into the high integrity software components market, built on the company’s successful technical innovations for the aerospace market. I launched a new business division and was responsible for the concept development and launch to market of SAFERTOS, a new technology that provides electronic systems and software to medical device and safety systems companies. As part of my role, I negotiated investment from the parent-company and managed the subsequent development budget, ensuring continued financial support during the development period. I led a team of 6 direct reports, and developed a new, highly effective Sales and Marketing Team to launch and promote the new products, leading the worldwide product launch of SAFERTOS, overseeing a complex sales cycle to achieve significant commercial success and ROI with revenue of £3m p.a. This was through the successfully negotiation of licencing agreements, contracts and partnerships with high profile US technology companies including Amazon Web Services, medical and safety systems companies. I continued to oversee and develop contracts negotiated in my role of Technical Director, delivering and overseeing projects which delivered in excess of $160m over their contract lifetimes. Show less Following the commercial success and contract wins in my previous role, I was invited by Wittenstein AG to create and build a new aerospace technology development company in the UK. Reporting to the parent-company Board, I was responsible for technical project development, project funding, budgeting and P&L, managing project costs of c.£3m and leading a team of 12 technical engineering and software experts. I led the technical concept design and production to develop and market new developments including the architecture concept and technical design of flight simulator control loading systems and active inceptor systems for aircraft, leading to valuable production contracts and long-term commercial viability. Key successes included: 1. Developing and launching the world’s first production active inceptor system.2. Leading development of a new range of compact highly efficient electric control loading systems for aircraft simulators.3. Negotiating multi-million-pound contracts with Lear Astronics and Lockheed Martin. 4. Securing the largest ever flight simulator system contract for development and supply of a control loading system, valued at £33m over the contract lifetime. Show less

  • Managing Director

    Apr 2006 - Mar 2019

  • Technical Director and General Manager

    Apr 1999 - Mar 2006
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  WITTENSTEIN aerospace & simulation

  Nov 2015 - Mar 2019

  Group Technical Director

  In addition to my role as MD of Wittenstein Ltd, I was appointed Technical Director for The Wittenstein Group, responsible for strategic direction and business development support to the company’s US, UK and German entities, developing future business, technical and marketing strategies, concept development and product development proposals. I led the creation of a new Safety Application Centre in Bristol, set-up to develop and test prototype systems for safety related applications, overseeing the recruitment of an additional team of 7 engineers and development of new hardware and software systems. Show less

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  Self Employed

  Apr 2019 - now

  Consultant

  I provide consultancy in new technology business start-up including strategy, governance, product development, risk assessment and business development. Technologies covered include embedded systems, mechatronics, electromechanical actuation system and aerospace systems.