Lead Simulation Architect | Project Lead
Principal Engineer and Simulation Architect with 20+ years of experience delivering immersive training systems across defense, academic, and industry. Lead architect of RIDE, a modular simulation platform developed at USCβs Institute for Creative Technologies and deployed in dozens of AI-driven, multi-platform environments. Known for strong engineering instincts, clean abstractions, and aligning R&D innovation with real-world constraints. Expert in C#, C++, and game engines including Unity and Unreal, with a proven track record delivering scalable solutions for the U.S. Army and other sponsors.
Unity, Unreal Engine, VBS4; immersive 3D environments
C#, C++, Python, JavaScript; modular frameworks, multithreaded systems
Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, WebGL, VR/AR (Meta, HTC)
CI/CD, Amazon AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure
Military training, terrain streaming, messaging, GIS/military data, symbology
Led development of a scalable Unity platform for immersive military simulations with terrain streaming, tactical AI, and networking.
Built core systems for branching dialogue, emotional modeling, and behavioral control in an open-source conversational agent framework.
Created AI-powered virtual humans to help veterans and autistic young adults practice job interviews using speech recognition and feedback.
Developed a Unity-based authoring tool for creating narrative video content, enabling non-technical users to build training scenarios.
Designed a high-stakes mixed reality simulation for rapid decision-making under ambiguous and escalating conditions.
Engineered a peer-support training tool focused on resilience, suicide prevention, and mental health for veterans.
Also contributed to: Bravemind (VR PTSD therapy), SimSensei (multi-modal sensing AI), and Sgt Star (Army virtual assistant).
Demos & full list at eddiefast.com
Principal Engineer / Simulation Architect | Playa Vista, CA | 2003 - Present
Lead architect of RIDE, a modular simulation platform powering 20+ training systems for defense and research.
Directed technical development of immersive environments combining AI-driven virtual humans, terrain streaming, and real-time interaction in Unity.
Led cross-disciplinary teams and coordinated with military, academic, and industry partners to transition R&D prototypes into deployed systems.
Shipped multiple console titles (PS2, Xbox, Dreamcast) as a gameplay/tools programmer.
Highlights: ESPN NBA2Night, MotoX, Star Raiders.
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Hartholt, Fast, eg al., IHSED 2025
Showcased streamlined production of realistic digital doubles for simulation.
Hartholt, McCullough, Fast, et al., SISO SIW 2021 - Best Paper
Architected the modular simulation platform used in 20+ defense and research systems.
Hartholt, Fast, et al., IVA 2022
Redesigned Unity support for scalable, modular development of virtual humans.
Hartholt, Leeds, Fast, et al., IHSI 2024
Integrated Unity, virtual humans, and cognitive agents via cross-platform middleware.
DeVault, Artstein, Fast, et al., AAMAS 2014 - Best Paper Nominee
Widely cited system combining AI, speech analysis, and healthcare interviews.
Gratch, Wang, Gerten, Fast, Duffy, IVA 2007 - cited 400+ times
Seminal study on verbal and nonverbal coordination in embodied agents.
20+ peer-reviewed publications on simulation, virtual humans, and training systems.
Full list available at eddiefast.com.
Awards: Best Paper (SIW), Best Demo (ACII), Best Paper Finalist (IVA), USC Stevens Award.
Media coverage: Featured in NPR, LA Times, The Guardian, Signal Magazine (AFCEA).
Open Source: Creator of MCS, a MAME emulator re-written in C#. (GitHub: fasteddo)