Electronic Engineer · 9+ years
Electronic engineer with 9+ years' experience, focused on medical device development - spanning neuromuscular monitoring, audiology screening, and hearing technology. Passionate about solving challenging engineering problems to deliver high-impact technologies that benefit society. Skilled across software, firmware, hardware, production systems, and system integration, with a track record of identifying the right solution to build, and then building it correctly. Currently experimenting with AI tools to get past the hype and find where it can deliver real value.
Developing professional audiology products for screening and diagnostic use under the hearX brand, and hardware for FDA-approved over-the-counter hearing aids under the Eargo brand. Contributing across software, firmware, hardware, production systems, regulatory compliance, and strategic product planning.
Neuromuscular-block monitors for anaesthesia - safety-critical devices used in operating theatres to track the effect of muscle relaxants during surgery. Contributed across clinical research, firmware, hardware, mechanical design, and quality assurance, and served as R&D Scrum Master managing the engineering team.
Technology assessment and introduction, including data-centre infrastructure and software-defined networking. Managed the technical governance process and chaired the SATNAC technical programme committee (2018–2019), a Telkom-hosted ICT conference in South Africa.
Took a handheld otoacoustic-emission (OAE) screening device from late-stage prototype to market, owning hardware and firmware finalisation, production systems, supplier management, and regulatory compliance through to launch.
Served as R&D Scrum Master, managing the engineering team through a major redesign of Xavant's core product that resulted in the STIMPOD NMS450X+. Oversaw firmware and hardware development and fully owned the mechanical design and injection moulding. The redesign added a rechargeable battery, a touchscreen, and several valuable software features, including in-device data recording. Many of these features were driven by feedback I gathered working with anaesthetists in theatre, which we couldn't implement on the previous hardware generation.
Led a major firmware rewrite of the STIMPOD NMS450X patient monitor used in operating theatres. After spending time in-field with anaesthetists, I found multiple areas where the device could be improved to either resolve bugs, or more reliably provide information at critical points in the surgical workflow. Working within the constraints of the existing hardware, we re-designed certain parts of the firmware to improve the user experience. I led the team through the final implementation, including implementing scrum principles in our way of working, and ensuring verification tests covered the new features.
Delivered the EMG patient cable for the neuromuscular monitor, working end-to-end from electronics through to a production line.
Designed a custom connector for the EMG electrode, using magnets for a reliable, quick-to-attach connection, including the injection-moulded mechanical design. Worked closely with the manufacturing partner to bring the product to production and ensure consistent product quality.
University of Cape Town
Researched the resilience of software-defined networks and developed an algorithm guaranteeing immediate recovery from any single network failure - implemented as a Python application within an open-source SDN control platform and validated on the geographically distributed GENI testbed.
University of Pretoria
Specialised in telecommunications, with distinctions for Adaptive Systems and Introduction to Research.
University of Pretoria
Final-year design project: a set of robots exhibiting swarm behaviour using a custom infrared communication system that let each robot locate its neighbours. Distinctions included 3rd and 4th year design projects, advanced electronics, automation, control systems, and microprocessors.
St Alban's College, Pretoria
Matriculated with 6 distinctions, including Mathematics and Science.
MSc thesis · University of Cape Town
Paper · SATNAC 2017, Barcelona, Spain
Paper · SATNAC 2016, George, South Africa
