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zcohen-nerd/README.md

Hi, I’m Zachary Cohen

Senior Electromechanical Systems Engineer focused on embedded systems, custom electronics, mechatronics, and practical engineering tools.

I design and build integrated hardware systems that combine electronics, mechanics, firmware, controls, and documentation. My work usually lives somewhere between a PCB, a CAD model, a wiring harness, a test bench, and a mildly overbuilt Notion page.

My focus is on making complex engineering systems easier to understand, build, debug, teach, and maintain.

Portfolio LinkedIn Email

C C++ Python MicroPython STM32 ESP32 Raspberry Pi Autodesk Fusion SolidWorks KiCad Git


What I Build

Embedded Systems

STM32 · RP2040 · ESP32 · Raspberry Pi · Teensy C/C++ · MicroPython · hardware bring-up · debugging · system integration

I work on embedded platforms that connect sensors, actuators, power systems, communication buses, and user interfaces into complete working systems.

Custom Electronics & PCB Design

Autodesk Fusion Electronics · KiCad-adjacent workflows · CAN bus · sensor interfaces · protection circuits · mixed-voltage systems

I design PCBs for development tools, embedded controllers, robotics platforms, lab equipment, and electromechanical prototypes.

Electromechanical Systems

SolidWorks · Autodesk Fusion · additive manufacturing · enclosures · mechanisms · wiring · integration

I care a lot about the messy middle between “the schematic works,” “the CAD fits,” and “the assembled system survives real use.”

Engineering Tools & Documentation

Open-source hardware · field guides · teaching tools · system diagrams · design review checklists

A lot of my work is about turning engineering knowledge into tools, templates, and documentation that other people can actually use.


How I Work

  • Documentation is part of the design, not an afterthought. Schematics, CAD, firmware, and the reasoning behind them live together, so a project is still buildable and debuggable after I've forgotten the details.
  • Systems thinking over discipline silos. Mechanical, electrical, firmware, and docs are treated as one system with defined interfaces — not separate handoffs where problems get discovered at integration.
  • Design for manufacturability and maintainability, not just "it works on the bench." Tolerances, sourcing, assembly order, and field serviceability get considered before a design is called done.
  • Validate against real hardware early. CAD and schematics are hypotheses until a prototype proves them; I try to get to a test bench fast rather than iterating purely on paper.
  • Build tools once, reuse everywhere. If I solve a problem twice, the second time becomes a template, add-in, or checklist instead of a one-off hack.

Selected Projects

Embedded Firmware Motor Control Mechatronics Real-Time Systems

An embedded mechatronics platform designed to teach system integration, motor control, sensing, embedded firmware, and real-time control.

Includes custom electronics, embedded software, mechanical design, and full-system integration.

Fusion 360 Add-in Python System Architecture Tooling

A Fusion add-in for creating system block diagrams and architecture documentation directly inside the CAD workflow.

Built to help bridge the gap between early system architecture and implementation-level design.

Documentation Open Reference GitHub Pages

A practical open-source guide for engineers who need to select, specify, document, and review connectors.

Built after realizing that connector knowledge is everywhere and nowhere at the same time.

SPARK Embedded Debug Tooling

Open Hardware SWD/JTAG UART Lab Tooling

An open-source hardware project focused on making embedded bring-up, SWD/JTAG access, UART debugging, power control, and protected lab workflows cleaner and more reliable.

Literacy for Kids

Education Open Curriculum

A growing collection of open educational projects designed to help kids build real-world literacy in computing, money, systems thinking, media, civics, health, and more.


Current Focus

  • Open-source hardware for embedded systems and lab workflows
  • Practical engineering documentation and reusable design templates
  • System-level tools that connect architecture, CAD, electronics, and implementation
  • Educational engineering projects for students, interns, and early-career engineers
  • Advancing my M.Eng. in Engineering Management at Old Dominion University

Engineering Interests

  • Embedded systems and hardware bring-up
  • PCB design and electromechanical integration
  • Robotics, controls, and autonomous systems
  • Additive manufacturing and rapid prototyping
  • Engineering education and technical documentation
  • Home automation, instrumentation, and useful overengineering

Connect

Portfolio LinkedIn Email


If you explore my repositories, you’ll find more than code. You’ll find complete engineering systems: schematics, PCB layouts, firmware, CAD, documentation, design notes, and the occasional “this should probably be a reusable tool” rabbit hole.

Pinned Loading

  1. literacy-for-kids/computer_literacy_for_kids literacy-for-kids/computer_literacy_for_kids Public

    18-Week Computer Literacy Curriculum for Young Learners

    JavaScript 1

  2. Fusion_System_Blocks Fusion_System_Blocks Public

    Autodesk Fusion add-in: system block diagrams inside CAD, with typed connections, CAD links, rule checks, and multi-format export.

    Python 6

  3. SENTRY SENTRY Public

    Forked from WRCE-TSD/SENTRY

    Pan/tilt turret platform for teaching embedded control, sensing, and mechatronic integration — USNA EW309, released by USNA WRCE.

    Python

  4. Portfolio Portfolio Public

    Source for portfolio.zcohen-nerd.com — case studies of electromechanical systems, custom PCBs, and engineering tools.

    JavaScript