REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Cody Flores is a government lead for the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center's Sensors Test, Analysis, Requirements and Simulation program.

STARS provides the Missile Defense Agency Sensors Directorate independent engineering, operations and acquisition support across the entire sensor life-cycle.

"My role is dual-hatted," said Flores. "I directly oversee execution of a portfolio of projects in areas of software development, radar modeling and simulation V&V, independent testing of tactical sensor software, and sensor hardware-in-the-loop lab sustainment and operations.

Flores also serves as a project support director, coordinating requirements and funding for all AMRDEC support to the MDA/SN, as well as reporting STARS program status to MDA/SN senior leadership.

"I like the people I work with, both on the AMRDEC and on the customer side," Flores said.

"There's a spirit of camaraderie because, ultimately, we're all trying to achieve the same goals under a demanding and dynamic schedule. Being a part of the process to bring together the elements of engineering and management to add value to the customer and our nation is both challenging and very rewarding."

One of the key roles of STARS is to serve as an independent assessor of radar SW performance for MDA. For the AN/TPY-2, AMRDEC's independent assessments provide analysis that feed into the software material release process to ensure the fielded radar is safe, suitable and supportable.

Flores's team is also developing a prototype AN/TPY-2 planner that could potentially be used in the future to train Army Soldiers to better understand how the radar performs in general and under specific mission scenarios.

Flores explained there are several things that keep him motivated at work.

"I am inspired to keep working by mostly three things: there's always something to learn (from the job and from other people); there's always something to improve about myself and I like to believe the work we do is important and key to the Warfighter and our nation."

In his free time, Flores has many hobbies including running, basketball and studying the Bible. He also enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters.

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"Workforce Wednesday" highlights members of the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center serving in a variety of capacities. The series is presented by the AMRDEC Public Affairs Office. For more information, or to nominate someone, email usarmy.redstone.rdecom-amrdec.mbx.pao@mail.mil.