John Dews-Flick

John Dews-Flick

R&D Engineer, ML Engineer, Software Developer

Aerospace engineer with expertise in finite element analysis, contact simulation, and full-stack development. Passionate about bridging the gap between engineering theory and practical software solutions.

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Align Knowledge RAG Platform

2024-2025 • Project

Developed a production-grade retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) system to empower Align Technology teams with AI-driven knowledge access.

Ingested and indexed internal wiki pages, patent documents, and OneDrive files into a secure vector database with fine-grained permission enforcement and automated query ranking methods.

RAG LLM Vector Database Production AI

LLM World Simulation Video Game

2023-2024 • Side Project

Developed a 3D video game which uses text and image generation models to determine the dialog, progression, layout, and textures of the games.

Involved agentic LLM use with optimized state, background, and memory usage for dynamic content generation.

Game Development Agentic AI Text Generation Image Generation

Align Simulation Platform

2024 • Project

Automated and pioneered new simulation and analysis methods for orthodontic treatment planning.

Implemented distributed simulation compute on premise to enable grander statistical use of the simulation platform and data collection for machine learning applications.

Simulation Distributed Computing Machine Learning Orthodontics

MLP Classifier Demo

2024 • Interactive Demo

Interactive 2D binary classification demo using a Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) implemented in Rust and compiled to WebAssembly for optimal performance.

Features custom neural network architectures, real-time training visualization, decision boundary plotting, and configurable hyperparameters. Both neural network training and plot generation are handled in WebAssembly for maximum performance.

Neural Networks WebAssembly Rust Vue.js Machine Learning

R&D Engineer III - Align Technology

2023-Present • Position

Leading a team of R&D engineers in the development of machine learning prediction models tied with simulation to provide patient specific design.

Developed and validated custom machine learning models for biomedical optimization. Pioneered a RAG knowledge base chat system tailored for domain specific and agentic use.

Team Leadership Machine Learning Biomedical RAG Systems

R&D Engineer II - Align Technology

2022-2023 • Position

Pioneered new simulation and analysis methods for quantifying the effect of orthodontic appliances in highly patient specific morphology.

Provided new insight and data metrics for previous and future cases, advancing personalized treatment planning.

Simulation Analysis Orthodontics Patient-Specific

Non-Linear Frictional Contact Simulation

2022 • Master's Thesis

Master's thesis for the University of Florida which applies the step-boundary method to contact analysis within FEA.

Contributed to novel software OnSimulation with analytical geometric representation for contact identification and analysis of stick-slip problems.

Finite Element Analysis Contact Simulation Research IBFEM

OnSimulation Contact Analysis Add-on

2022 • Software Launch

Launched contact analysis add-on using the immersed boundary method within the finite element analysis software OnSimulation.

Implemented novel geometric representation techniques for improved contact identification and analysis.

Software Development FEA Contact Analysis Product Launch

Master's in Aerospace Engineering

2021-2022 • Education

Extensive understanding of solid mechanics, simulation and the FEA method, including system design, plasticity, and contact analysis.

Completed thesis on contact simulation in IBFEM on a novel method to represent contact without meshes. Also served as Graduate Teaching Assistant for FEA and computational CAD courses.

Aerospace Engineering Solid Mechanics FEA Teaching

Web Based IBFEM

2021 • Demo Project

Browser based 2D finite element software for solid mechanics problems which uses the immersed boundary method.

Demonstrated the feasibility of running complex FEA calculations directly in web browsers, making simulation more accessible.

Web Development IBFEM Browser-based FEA Innovation

Graduate Research Assistant

2020-2022 • Research Position

Research within finite element analysis on non-linear frictional contact contributing to the novel software OnSimulation.

Contributed significantly to analytical geometric representation for contact identification and analysis of stick-slip problems.

Research FEA Contact Analysis Software Development

Bachelor's in Aerospace Engineering

2017-2021 • Education

Coursework includes orbital dynamics, flight dynamics, CFD, Monte Carlo simulation and control theory.

Experience with material testing, machining and additive manufacturing. Graduated Cum Laude with strong foundation in engineering principles.

Aerospace Engineering Orbital Dynamics CFD Control Theory

OrbitalElementsJS

2019 • Open Source Library

JavaScript library for solving orbital mechanics problems, allowing conversion between orbital elements and position/velocity vectors for two-body orbital systems.

Features interactive demo with 3D visualization, supports standard Keplerian orbital elements, and provides both forward and inverse transformations. Built with Vue.js frontend and published as an NPM package.

Orbital Mechanics JavaScript Vue.js NPM Package Aerospace

Senior Developer - Catch The Fever

2015-2023 • Position

Single-handedly developed a robust, automated e-commerce platform now driving multi-million dollar revenue.

This system handles orders, retail orders, shipping, notifications, and ad optimization with fully automating fulfillment down to label selection and printing.

E-commerce Full-Stack Development Automation Revenue Generation

Junior Developer - IJoin Solutions

Summer 2015 • Internship

Designed and implemented a real time notification system within a financial advising and onramp software.

First professional software development experience, working with real-time systems and financial technology.

Software Development Real-time Systems Financial Technology First Job

John Dews-Flick

Aerospace Engineer & Software Developer

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