Hello, I'm Brett Hixon!

I am a Senior Computer Science major at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (Class of 2027) with minors in Cybersecurity, AI, and Japanese. I have a passion for designing scalable software systems, full-stack application development, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. Through both industry experience and academic coursework, I have built a strong track record of translating complex computer science theory into reliable, scalable full-stack applications.

How It Started

My journey into software engineering didn't start as a solo endeavor—I was first pushed into a coding club by my mom in 5th grade, where I realized how cool it was to make Angry Birds move across a screen! In 8th grade, my STEM teacher, Mrs. Sellers, helped me see that this curiosity could become a lifelong career.

I began exploring early programming concepts on ROBLOX, creating games and experiencing firsthand the impact of building software for real users. Trying to understand how video game cheaters and script injectors manipulated applications on this same platform ignited my curiosity for reverse engineering and cybersecurity—a curiosity that now forms my academic minor.

Technical Breadth & Teaching

Through my studies at Rose-Hulman and my industry experience, I've developed a broad understanding of systems and application development, including operating systems, distributed systems, networking, parallel computing, robotics, and full-stack web architecture. To reinforce my understanding and give back to the campus community, I served as a course assistant for multiple computer science courses throughout my sophomore and junior years.

In industry, I've had the opportunity to build software that scales to tangible business needs using modern enterprise tools—ranging from web frameworks like Vue and React to robust backend ecosystems like .NET. I've also gained hands-on experience with enterprise infrastructure technologies like Microsoft Entra ID, IIS web hosting and internal DNS management, and more. Industry experience continues to stretch my problem-solving capabilities beyond what traditional classroom settings can emulate.

Co-Founding Fafnir Aerospace

My work in AI culminated in co-founding Fafnir Aerospace, my senior capstone project and registered LLC. As Lead AI Developer, I am designing the Autonomous Navigation, Drone Routing, and Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) architecture for a proof-of-concept autonomous drone system powered by a proprietary UV light communication module. Our team intends to continue scaling the company beyond graduation.

Why Cybersecurity & Artificial Intelligence?

• Cybersecurity: My early fascination with reverse engineering led me to formally pursue a cybersecurity minor to master defensive and offensive security principles.
• Artificial Intelligence: As AI tools became increasingly prominent across software engineering, I wanted to "pop the hood" and truly understand the underlying algorithms and architectures rather than treat them as black boxes.

Beyond the Code

• Daily Hikes & Health: Rain or shine, I hit my target of 10,000 steps every single day.
• Japanese Language & Culture: I have been a fan of anime and manga since middle school. To better engage with Japanese media and culture, I completed a Japanese minor and studied abroad in Japan during the summer of 2025.

Thank you for visiting my portfolio! Feel free to explore my Projects and Experience pages, or reach out directly if you'd like to connect.