Summary

I am a technically focused software engineer with experience building high-performance systems that combine simulation, machine learning, and modern software infrastructure. I work comfortably across the stack, designing scalable back-end services, GPU-accelerated pipelines, and data-driven models with an emphasis on performance, correctness, and clean system design.

My interests center on reinforcement learning, autonomous systems, and computationally intensive software. I enjoy translating complex real-world problems into efficient simulations and training intelligent agents to optimize system behavior, while continuously deepening my technical expertise in modern ML frameworks and distributed systems.

View Experience Contact
Portrait of Oliver Papay

Languages

  • English
  • Slovak
  • Czech

Professional Experience

Software Engineer

Collins Aerospace

Cedar Rapids, IA

Jan 2025 - Present

  • Implemented a Link 16 tactical datalink simulation tool for campaign-level military operations analysis.
  • Developed a system for data exchange between modeling tools using Docker and Kafka.
  • Crafted TorchRL environments for mission autonomy agent training.
  • Contributed to GPU-native simulation running at 30,000x faster than real time.
  • Reimplemented parts of Nvidia Sionna with PyTorch for 10x benchmarking speedup.
  • Key contributor on a technical proposal team for IARPA.

Software Engineer Intern

Collins Aerospace

Cedar Rapids, IA

May 2024 - Aug 2024

  • Built deep reinforcement learning environments using radio communications simulations.
  • Integrated custom environments with cleanRL PPO on CUDA for agent training.
  • Fixed critical bugs in kinematic computations, saving hours of debugging.
  • Partnered on cross-team demos for AI research stakeholders.

Skills

ML and Data

Python PyTorch TorchRL ONNX NumPy RL Algorithms

Frontend

JavaScript TypeScript HTML CSS Sass React Vue

Backend and Infrastructure

Java Django Flask REST APIs Docker Kafka Firebase

Tools and Platforms

Windows Linux Bash Git

Projects

Airport Runway Management RL Agent

Aug 2025 - Present

  • Developed an airport management simulation in PyGame (inspired by Airport Madness iOS game).
  • Designed a wrapper to turn the simulation into a TorchRL environment.
  • Trained a PPO agent to optimize runway throughput and reduce delays.
  • Achieved a 30% improvement over human baseline in flights handled per minute.
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Globeify

Mar 2025 - Aug 2025

  • Designed and built a full-stack travel platform that transforms travel history and aspirations into an interactive, data-driven experience.
  • Engineered a scalable backend with a modern REST API to power personalized destination tracking, recommendations, and future trip planning.
  • Created a fast, elegant, and mobile-friendly interface focused on usability, performance, and delightful exploration.
  • Introduced intelligent, graph-based planning features that help users visualize journeys, discover connections between destinations, and plan trips more strategically.
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Education

University of Iowa

B.S. Computer Science, Mathematics Minor

Iowa City, IA

Aug 2022 - Dec 2024

  • 3.95 GPA, Summa Cum Laude, Dean's List all semesters.
  • National Scholars Award recipient and Principal Scholars Award for Computer Science.
  • Completed a four-year degree in 2.5 years.

Contact

opapayy@gmail.com LinkedIn