See something, solve something.

/about

Hi, I’m Zack! I’m a software engineer based in Boulder, CO. As a fourth generation engineer, I adopted an engineering mindset rooted in deep analysis and problem solving from an early age. Though my background is in computer science and electrical engineering, I am largely a generalist. My primary strengths are in developing and maintaining scalable software systems, embedded systems, and networking, however I work on a wide range of engineering projects. I am passionate about seeing projects through from conception to completion; the more multidisciplinary the better!

I spend a lot of my free time working on projects that entail electronics and software design and 3D design and printing. On the less technical side, I love exploring the outdoors (hiking, biking, skiing, etc.), playing video games, and fostering deep connections with people.

I am currently back on the job market looking for roles in software and infrastructure engineering. I have professional experience in software engineering, devops, and site reliability engineering. As a generalist and an autodidact, I can be dropped pretty much anywhere and find my way to making a large impact.

/why me?

creative systems thinking

Raised with a systems thinking mindset for optimization and efficiency.

human first

Rooted in empathy and compassion as both a manager and an IC.

self starter + natural executor

Building abstract ideas into simplified solutions. 90%+ projects in progress or completed.

generalist

I value growth and personal development. I strive to learn as much as I can in as many areas as I can.

/mission + values

I strive to help build a world where a strong sense of shared humanity guides how we live and where creativity and compassion drive solutions through inclusive systems and human-centered technology.

authenticity

ZACK
is
ZACK
is
ZACK
is
ZACK
YOU
is
YOU
is
YOU
is
YOU

equity

Compassionate policy + inclusive systems + social justice = Zack :)

diversity

Heterogeneous perspectives are necessary for inclusive development.

community

We’re all in this life together. We should behave as such by providing mutual support to those around us. When everybody is happier, EVERYBODY IS HAPPIER.

efficiency

Efficient utilization of resources means more resources to go around. We need smarter technological design to enable users to more effectively utilize their time and money to accomplish their goals.

creativity

Our world is complex with many complex problems. Abstract thinking is required to solve them.

/projects

PSU Autoscheduler

overview

While in undergrad, my university used a watchlist system for scheduling of courses once full. Emails and texts were sent out en masse to everyone on the watchlist, leading to a scheduling frenzy. The first person to get to their computer and schedule the course got a seat. Since I had tested out of most of my freshman year in AP courses, I was ahead, I needed to schedule more advanced courses, however I lacked scheduling priority due to the fact that I was only a sophomore. So I created an Android application that parsed course information from these texts and emulated browser navigation to automatically log in and schedule courses.

development

Going into this project, I had no idea how the web worked, nor had I any experience with mobile app development. I locked myself in my room for a weekend and hammered out a functioning app.

technologies + skills used

  • Android development
  • Java

outcomes

Using this app, my friends and I were able to schedule courses with hundreds of people on the watchlist, which would have otherwise been impossible.

Hephaestus

overview

A system I designed to improve efficiency and effectiveness of radiant heat systems. It employs arrays of quiet, high-velocity computer fans positioned behind radiators for intelligently controlled active convection to prevent hotspotting and fudge multi-zone control. Each radiator-connected node consists of a fan array, a radiator temperature sensor, and an ambient temperature sensor attached to a WiFi-connected NodeMCU microcontroller. These nodes send temperature data to a RaspberryPi thermostat running control software that makes algorithmic decisions to adjust node fan speeds and cycle the furnace.

development

Microncontroller firmware was writtten in C++ using the Arduino framework for the ESP-8266 microcontroller. The firmware includes OTA updates, WiFi connection, sensor reading, and mDNS for finding and connecting to control server. The control server is written in Python and runs on a Raspberry Pi. The raspberry Pi uses a relay connected to one of its IO pins to control the furnace as a thermostat. Both PCBs and 3D printed enclosures were designed for the nodes. The nodes are wired to both ambient and radiator temperature sensors and high velocity computer fans controlled by PWM.

technologies + skills used

  • Python
  • C++
  • Microcontroller firmware
  • 3D design and printing
  • PCB design

outcomes

This system has managed to reduce winter heating bills by upwards of 20% by moving heat from the large thermal mass of the radiant heat system to the zones in which it is required.

SOS Button

overview

A button to contact friends/family on a preconfigured list for support. Instead of an emergency button that contacts authorities, this button can be used more informally to recruit people on a preconfigured response list. When the button is pressed, these people are sent a text message with a link to a response dashboard. This dashboard displays the contact information for all response team members to coordinate response.

development

Development began with a backend for sending SMS messages to responders and a web service for the response coordination. Multiple methods for sending SMS were tried and rejected. I eventually stumbled upon an open source Android app to turn a phone into an SMS gateway. I got a cheap plan for texting on an old phone I had lying around and deployed this SMS server. I then developed a Flask-based web app/API for the button to connect to and for the response dashboard. When the button is pressed, it hits an API endpoint which generates a response dashboard and sends links via SMS to the dashboard to each of the responders. The button was designed from scratch using Autodesk Fusion. It incorporates an ESP-8266 microcontroller, LEDs, a piezo buzzer, and AA battery power.

technologies + skills used

  • Python
  • Flask
  • C++
  • Microcontroller firmware
  • 3D design and printing
  • Electronics design
  • SMS gateway

outcomes

Currently a work in progress. The hope is to provide friends and loved ones a peace of mind.