Darren Biggs

Technical Manager specializing in simulator assets, with extensive experience in project management and cross-functional collaboration. Successfully directed large-scale maritime simulator projects, enhancing technology integration and delivering high-quality results. Expertise in Agile methodologies, data design for products, the life cycle of digital content, problem-solving of client data issues, technical inputs, estimates, and management of contracts from less than 100 hours to greater than 18,000 hours with 15+ team members. Led visual database engineering efforts, while managing a team of visual database engineers. Created visual models for 100+ maritime databases and 1,000+ assets, and generated and maintained the data to integrate them with the simulation software. 

WORK EXPERIENCE: Technical Manager of Simulator Assets GDIT, Fairfax, Virginia -04/2018 - 09/2025 ● Worked alongside program management to gather requirements, develop scopes, and oversee projects to deliver maritime simulators. ● Managed and worked to complete visual database update Created detailed project plans outlining tasks, deliverables, timelines, and resource requirements. ● Directed planning for each sprint, as well as post-sprint reviews and retrospectives ● Managed multiple projects simultaneously while meeting tight deadlines without compromising quality standards. ● Hired and trained staff members, oversaw department teams and delegated assignments to employees according to skill sets. ● Provided the technical input and hours estimates for contracts ranging from $5,000 to $50,000,000 and tracked status and schedule during contract execution. ● Designed VirtualShip NavTool, a GUI interface to generate maritime database features from chart data and user inputs for navigational aids, tides, currents, depths, banks, piers, and bottom types. ● Designed and implemented a pipeline for migrating OpenFlight assets into an Unreal-based visual engine. Created and customized hundreds of blueprints for assets, including ships, aircraft, people, weapons, vehicles, halyards, flags, and navigational aids. This involved upgrading models to leverage Unreal's additional capabilities to dynamically swap textures, materials, and particle systems. ● Defined the product and file structure, establishing a modular data baseline to combine custom customer assets with the product baseline. Supporting large-scale deliveries to the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, U.K. Navy and the Royal Dutch Navy. With concurrent schedules, handling data configuration management for the multiple project-product baselines. ● Evaluated organization's technology to recommend upgrades for hardware and software. Visual Content Developer Lead CSRA, Fairfax , Virginia - 11/2015 - 04/2018 ● Provided technical guidance on best practices related to visual content development. ● Coordinated production across stages from concept and design development through final testing and optimization. ● Collaborated with cross-functional teams to define project requirements and specifications. Participated in regular meetings with stakeholders to discuss project progress, changes, challenges. ● Researched new technologies and methodologies to propose innovative software solutions. ● Assisted in the estimation of project scopes and timelines during planning phases. ● Provided technical support and troubleshooting assistance for software users. ● Performed troubleshooting of post-release software faults. ● Served as Visual Database Lead in the U.S. Navy contract to implement mine-hunting modules in the LCS class of ships. Creating submersibles and surface watercraft that would integrate with a sonar simulator. • Customized a maritime database pipeline to use a maritime surface simulator's data in an external government submarine simulator's visual engine. Visual Content Developer CSC, Washington DC - 08/2001 - 11/2015 ● Created detailed 3D models using industry-standard software and tools. ● Assisted in troubleshooting 3D modeling issues as quickly as possible. ● Applied knowledge of anticipation and impact variables for model development. Modified existing models by adding and removing polygons, adjusting UVs, optimizing material channels, as needed per project specifications. ● Communicated directly with clients before and during modeling work to verify full understanding and delivery of required products. ● Managed asset libraries, ensuring organization and easy access. ● Kept abreast of industry trends and advancements in 3D technology. Integrated dynamic weapons for a maritime simulator, including crew-served, remotely operated, and missile systems. ● Developed key components for crane simulator assets. These high-detail models were created to work with a high update rate dynamics engine. ● Created a modular dynamic asset configurable system in support of anti-terrorism force protection for a maritime simulator to select different clothes, ethnicities, accessories, and weapons.

EDUCATION: Master Of Arts, Visual Technologies - 01/2008 George Mason University, Fairfax, VA • Cum Laude • Digital Art piece entitled “BioCode” featured on front cover of Complexity (2002). Bachelor Of Fine Arts, Theater Technology - 06/1998 Ohio University, Athens, OH • Cum Laude • Designed sets for 3 plays, designed sound for 4 shows, and directed 3 plays. • Won Southeastern Theater Conference award for Set Design (1996).