// about
Brian Moorhead
Software/systems architect and developer with 25+ years in electric and alternative-fueled vehicles. I like taking complicated problems that require pulling several systems together — and handing back something that just works.
// the name
Why "Quantum Whatever"?
Iowa State University creates an Honors Program dorm floor for the fall of 1995 — sort of a geek/nerd safe house. (I barely make the cut.) A year or so later, a group of us are in a job-placement seminar when the director of career services makes an off-hand comment about competition in the workplace:
"Most people who are productive in the work force will have a GPA from about 2.7 to 3.3. You might know some people higher than that — they're fun to talk to, but their wheels spin a little differently. And there are some with a 3.8 or higher; they've got their Quantum Whatever, but you won't really be competing with them for jobs."
For the record, my GPA landed squarely in the gap. Somewhat confused by our supposedly elevated status, we made it a joke and renamed the Honors Program newsletter Quantum Whatever. When it came time to venture out on my own, the name was easy.
I think both words get a bad rap — quantum for implying sophistication that usually isn't there (it just means a discrete amount of something), and whatever for sounding flippant. I take the two together as a job of fixed scope: whatever my skills and experience can help you solve.
// education
Education
M.S. in Engineering, Automotive Systems Engineering
University of Michigan – Dearborn, 2003–2005
B.S. in Electrical Engineering
Iowa State University, 1995–1999 — Honors Program, and Director of Systems Integration for the ISU Solar Vehicle Racing Team (1997–1999). Full class load plus 40+ hours a week leading a technical team to build a road-worthy solar-electric car on a two-year, $300k+ project. One of my formative experiences — and, honestly, my first real job.
// off the clock
When I'm not at the bench
The hands-on habit doesn't switch off:
- FIRST Robotics Competition volunteer — CAD/CAM mentor for FRC team 1250, FIRST Technical Advisor, and head referee.
- Anything with CNC in the description — 3D printers, mills and routers, plasma and laser cutters, even embroiderers.
- Amateur racing (Champ Car, 24 Hours of Lemons) — as driver and pit crew.