Systems Thinking
Optimize the whole system, not individual components.Architecture, interfaces, manufacturability, serviceability, and user experience are connected. Solving one problem in isolation often creates a larger one elsewhere.
ABOUT
VOLODYMYR HIRNYJ · ENGINEERING LEADER · EMBEDDED SYSTEMS
Transforming ambitious ideas
into reliable products.
I lead the architecture and development of complex embedded systems across medical devices, robotics, industrial automation, and other technically demanding industries. My work combines systems thinking, technical leadership, and hands-on engineering to build products that are reliable, manufacturable, and designed to scale.
Great engineering organizations are built on clear technical vision, ownership, mentorship, and disciplined execution.
20+Embedded Systems Architected
25+Production Releases
1,000sUnits Manufactured
98%Manufacturing Test-Time Reduction
80%Customer Complaint Reduction
$15M+Funding Supported
2Company Acquisitions
The results above are the outcome of a consistent engineering philosophy centered on systems thinking, technical excellence, and building organizations that scale.
APPROACH
01 / ENGINEERING PRINCIPLES
How I make
engineering decisions.
Strong engineering leadership makes tradeoffs explicit, shortens feedback loops, and creates systems that improve with use.
Rapid Learning Through Iteration
Short feedback loops produce better engineering.The goal is to learn quickly, not simply move quickly. Prototypes, automated testing, production feedback, and refinement reduce risk while keeping development aligned with real needs.
Design for the Entire Product Lifecycle
Products should be built for manufacturing, testing, service, and long-term evolution, not just initial release.Architecture decisions should simplify verification, production, field support, future enhancements, and maintenance throughout the product's life.
Automate Repetitive Work
Engineers should spend their time solving problems, not repeating tasks.Automation improves quality, consistency, and development velocity. Engineering systems should continuously remove unnecessary manual effort.
Build Together
The best products emerge from shared ownership and diverse perspectives.Hardware, firmware, software, manufacturing, quality, regulatory, product, and customers should collaborate around one technical vision. Great ideas rarely belong to one discipline alone.
UNCERTAINTY REDUCTION
Short feedback loops turn assumptions into evidence.
02 / LEADERSHIP PHILOSOPHY
Build the conditions
for people to excel.
Leadership creates the clarity, purpose, trust, and environment engineers need to do meaningful work and own outcomes.
Create Clarity
Before discussing solutions, make sure everyone understands the problem. Shared context leads to better decisions, fewer assumptions, and engineering efforts that solve the right challenges.
Lead with Purpose
People are more engaged when they understand why their work matters. A shared purpose creates alignment, encourages collaboration, and leads to better technical decisions.
Invest in Growth
The best engineering organizations grow because their people do. Helping engineers develop their skills while pursuing meaningful work benefits both the individual and the company.
Empower Through Trust
Trust is built through mentorship, experience, and accountability. Give engineers the context they need, then empower them to own decisions and outcomes.
Create the Environment for Success
Exceptional engineering doesn't happen by accident. Clear standards, effective processes, and the right tools make it easier for teams to consistently deliver high quality work.
MUTUAL PROGRESS
People and organizations advance through shared purpose and expanding ownership.
CAPABILITIES
03 / TECHNICAL EXPERTISE
Built across the full
product lifecycle
My experience spans the hardware, firmware, systems, manufacturing, and leadership required to own complex products across their full lifecycle.
Systems Architecture
- Requirements engineering
- System decomposition
- Hardware-software architecture
- Platform roadmaps
- Risk and tradeoff analysis
Embedded Systems
- Embedded firmware
- Mixed-signal electronics
- Power electronics and controls
- Device drivers and peripherals
- Wireless and wired connectivity
Systems Integration
- Communications architecture
- Hardware-software integration
- Diagnostics and observability
- Reliable data flow
- Field deployment
Engineering Systems
- Build and release automation
- Verification automation
- Engineering reviews
- Development standards
- Technical documentation
Product Lifecycle
- NPI and production ramp
- Manufacturing test
- Design for manufacturing and test
- Quality systems
- Sustaining engineering
Technical Leadership
- Hiring and mentoring
- Technical ownership
- Cross-functional execution
- External technical partnerships
- Engineering planning and prioritization
EVIDENCE
04 / FEATURED PROJECTS
Evidence across the
entire product lifecycle.
These projects represent six different dimensions of engineering leadership. Together they demonstrate product architecture, engineering infrastructure, manufacturing systems, reliability engineering, experimental validation, and end-to-end product ownership.
01Next-Generation Medical Device Platform
Led the architecture of the electronics and firmware for a next-generation medical device platform, coordinating external engineering resources while integrating controls, sensing, embedded UI, diagnostics, and modern development infrastructure into a scalable foundation for future product evolution.
BUILT FOR LONG-TERM PRODUCT EVOLUTIONSCOPEPlatform architectureElectronics architectureEmbedded firmwareHardware-software integrationEngineering infrastructureEmbedded UIDiagnostics and CLIExternal technical leadershipVIEW CASE STUDY +
Next-Generation Medical Device Platform
Led the architecture of the electronics and firmware for a next-generation medical device platform, coordinating external engineering resources while integrating controls, sensing, embedded UI, diagnostics, and modern development infrastructure into a scalable foundation for future product evolution.
BUILT FOR LONG-TERM PRODUCT EVOLUTIONSCOPE
Platform architectureElectronics architectureEmbedded firmwareHardware-software integrationEngineering infrastructureEmbedded UIDiagnostics and CLIExternal technical leadership
MEDICAL DEVICE
Layered firmware architecture
Embedded UIOn-device interaction
BLE connectivityCompanion app interface
Device driversSensors, pumps, refrigeration
BSP layerHardware abstraction and startup
BLE
COMPANION MOBILE APPControl, status, and setupSecure device connection
WEB INFRASTRUCTUREOTA update serviceRelease delivery and update management
CHALLENGE
The next-generation product required a scalable embedded foundation capable of coordinating refrigeration, pumps, sensors, embedded UI, diagnostics, and future feature development. The challenge was to establish clear architectural boundaries while integrating multiple hardware, firmware, and external engineering efforts into one cohesive platform.
DECISIONS
- Defined clear subsystem boundaries and interfaces across electronics, firmware, controls, diagnostics, and user interaction.
- Integrated refrigeration control, pump control, sensor acquisition, embedded UI, diagnostics, and service functionality within a cohesive platform architecture.
- Established automated builds, CI/CD, unit testing, and OTA update capability early in development.
- Structured external engineering work around clearly defined interfaces, ownership, and integration milestones.
OUTCOMES
- Established a scalable electronics and firmware foundation for the next-generation product.
- Integrated controls, sensing, embedded UI, diagnostics, and service functionality into one platform.
- Built modern engineering infrastructure including automated builds, CI/CD, unit testing, and OTA updates.
- Enabled long-term product evolution through modular architecture and clearly defined interfaces.
CAPABILITIES
ArchitectureSystem decomposition · Hardware-software architecture · Platform architecture · Technical roadmaps
EmbeddedPump control · Refrigeration control · Sensor acquisition · Embedded UI · Diagnostics · CLI
Engineering SystemsAutomated builds · CI/CD · Unit testing · OTA updates
LeadershipExternal engineering leadership · Technical direction · Consultant coordination · Integration ownership
WHAT I WOULD DO AGAIN
Early investment in architecture is a force multiplier. Clear boundaries, interfaces, and engineering systems make integration easier today and product evolution easier for years to come.
02Engineering Process Modernization
Established the engineering infrastructure, development practices, and automation needed to scale embedded product development with greater speed, consistency, and confidence.
SHORTER FEEDBACK LOOPSSCOPEDevelopment infrastructureAutomationEngineering standardsQualityTechnical leadershipCross-functional alignmentVIEW CASE STUDY +
Engineering Process Modernization
Established the engineering infrastructure, development practices, and automation needed to scale embedded product development with greater speed, consistency, and confidence.
SHORTER FEEDBACK LOOPSSCOPE
Development infrastructureAutomationEngineering standardsQualityTechnical leadershipCross-functional alignment
CHALLENGE
Engineering practices had evolved organically, resulting in inconsistent development workflows, manual release processes, and fragmented technical ownership. The challenge was to create a repeatable engineering system that improved quality while accelerating development.
DECISIONS
- Standardized engineering practices across the development lifecycle
- Automated build, verification, and release workflows
- Connected technical standards to daily engineering decisions
OUTCOMES
- Established repeatable engineering workflows
- Improved traceability across development and verification
- Reduced release risk through automation and standardized practices
- Aligned the software development process with IEC 62304
CAPABILITIES
AutomationCI/CD · Python · Build automation
QualityAutomated verification · Static analysis · Traceability · IEC 62304 alignment
LeadershipEngineering standards · Design reviews · Mentorship
WHAT I WOULD DO AGAIN
Engineering processes create leverage only when they shorten feedback loops and improve decision making. Their purpose is to make good engineering easier, not introduce unnecessary ceremony.
03Automated Manufacturing Test Platform
Architected an automated test platform that combined FPGA, embedded controllers, sensitive signal generation and host software to dramatically increase manufacturing throughput. Provided technical leadership to two software engineers while retaining ownership of the overall system architecture and technical direction.
REDUCED TEST TIME BY 98%SCOPESystems architectureFPGA developmentEmbedded firmwareHost softwareTechnical leadershipManufacturing integrationVIEW CASE STUDY +
Automated Manufacturing Test Platform
Architected an automated test platform that combined FPGA, embedded controllers, sensitive signal generation and host software to dramatically increase manufacturing throughput. Provided technical leadership to two software engineers while retaining ownership of the overall system architecture and technical direction.
REDUCED TEST TIME BY 98%SCOPE
Systems architectureFPGA developmentEmbedded firmwareHost softwareTechnical leadershipManufacturing integration
CHALLENGE
Manufacturing relied on slow, operator-dependent testing that limited throughput and delayed engineering feedback. The challenge was to create a deterministic automated platform that improved production efficiency while generating richer diagnostic insight.
DECISIONS
- Separated deterministic timing from supervisory control using FPGA and distributed embedded controllers
- Partitioned real-time execution from orchestration to improve scalability and maintainability
- Integrated automated data collection and analysis to accelerate engineering feedback
OUTCOMES
- Standardized test execution across operators and stations
- Improved diagnostic depth and failure visibility
- Accelerated feedback from manufacturing to engineering
CAPABILITIES
Systems ArchitectureDistributed system architecture · Real-time partitioning · Interface definition
Manufacturing SystemsAutomated production test · High-throughput verification · Engineering diagnostics
Technical LeadershipArchitecture ownership · Technical direction · Cross-team integration
WHAT I WOULD DO AGAIN
The best production test systems do more than determine pass or fail. They become engineering feedback systems that continuously improve both manufacturing and product quality.
04Manufacturing Scale-Up and Reliability
Built a closed-loop engineering feedback system that connected manufacturing, quality, customer data, and engineering to improve reliability while supporting production at scale.
REDUCED CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS BY 80%SCOPEReliability engineeringProduction supportFailure investigationsManufacturing testQuality collaborationCross-functional leadershipVIEW CASE STUDY +
Manufacturing Scale-Up and Reliability
Built a closed-loop engineering feedback system that connected manufacturing, quality, customer data, and engineering to improve reliability while supporting production at scale.
REDUCED CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS BY 80%SCOPE
Reliability engineeringProduction supportFailure investigationsManufacturing testQuality collaborationCross-functional leadership
CHALLENGE
As production scaled, isolated engineering, manufacturing, and quality data made recurring failures difficult to identify and prioritize. The challenge was to connect these information sources into a repeatable engineering improvement process.
DECISIONS
- Unified engineering, manufacturing, and quality around shared failure classifications
- Prioritized corrective actions using recurrence, customer impact, and technical risk
- Expanded diagnostics and production visibility without slowing manufacturing
OUTCOMES
- Reduced recurring customer complaints
- Improved production visibility and engineering response time
- Established a repeatable reliability improvement process
CAPABILITIES
ManufacturingNPI · Production Test · Fixtures
QualityFailure Analysis · Customer Complaints · CAPA
SystemsDiagnostics · Sustaining Engineering · Verification
WHAT I WOULD DO AGAIN
Reliability improves fastest when production, field, and engineering data become one connected feedback system.
05Thermal Scalp Simulation Platform
Architected an instrumented thermal research platform that reproduced treatment conditions in a controlled environment, enabling repeatable experimentation, faster design iteration, and lower development risk.
REDUCED DEVELOPMENT UNCERTAINTYSCOPESystems architectureControls engineeringInstrumentationExperimental designData analysisVerificationVIEW CASE STUDY +
Thermal Scalp Simulation Platform
Architected an instrumented thermal research platform that reproduced treatment conditions in a controlled environment, enabling repeatable experimentation, faster design iteration, and lower development risk.
REDUCED DEVELOPMENT UNCERTAINTYSCOPE
Systems architectureControls engineeringInstrumentationExperimental designData analysisVerification
CHALLENGE
Product development depended on inconsistent prototype testing that made design decisions difficult to validate. The challenge was to create a repeatable experimental platform that isolated thermal behavior and generated reliable engineering data.
DECISIONS
- Decoupled thermal modeling from control and measurement to simplify experimentation
- Selected instrumentation to maximize repeatability and transient response accuracy
- Designed experiments that exposed system limits before product implementation
OUTCOMES
- Established repeatable thermal validation workflows
- Improved confidence when comparing design iterations
- Reduced reliance on inconsistent or higher-cost prototype testing
CAPABILITIES
ControlsClosed-loop control · Thermal systems
InstrumentationSensors · Data acquisition · Calibration
EngineeringPython · Experimental design · Data visualization
WHAT I WOULD DO AGAIN
A useful simulator does not copy every detail. It preserves the variables and interfaces that drive the decisions you need to make.
06Startup Product Development
Led the technical development of a connected fitness product from early prototype through commercial production, partnering directly with the founder while building the engineering, manufacturing, and supplier relationships needed to scale the product and support continued evolution.
FROM PROTOTYPE TO COMMERCIAL PRODUCTIONSCOPEProduct architectureEmbedded firmwareElectronics designManufacturing transitionSupplier coordinationOverseas engineering coordinationTechnical leadershipProduct roadmapVIEW CASE STUDY +
Startup Product Development
Led the technical development of a connected fitness product from early prototype through commercial production, partnering directly with the founder while building the engineering, manufacturing, and supplier relationships needed to scale the product and support continued evolution.
FROM PROTOTYPE TO COMMERCIAL PRODUCTIONSCOPE
Product architectureEmbedded firmwareElectronics designManufacturing transitionSupplier coordinationOverseas engineering coordinationTechnical leadershipProduct roadmap
CHALLENGE
The initial prototype demonstrated market potential but lacked the engineering foundation required for commercial production. The challenge was to mature the product while preserving startup agility across hardware, firmware, manufacturing, supplier coordination, and long-term product evolution.
DECISIONS
- Established a product architecture that balanced rapid development with long-term maintainability
- Balanced startup iteration speed against manufacturability, serviceability, and product quality
- Built engineering processes that supported continued product evolution after commercial launch
OUTCOMES
- Supported hundreds of annual production units
- Established an engineering foundation for continued product development
- Created repeatable manufacturing and supplier workflows
CAPABILITIES
ProductRequirements · Product Architecture · Roadmapping
EmbeddedFirmware · Electronics · Controls
ManufacturingNPI · Supplier Coordination · Manufacturing Support
WHAT I WOULD DO AGAIN
Successful startup products are built by connecting engineering, manufacturing, and business priorities from the very beginning. The technical roadmap should support not only today's prototype, but tomorrow's production and future product evolution.
05 / ADDITIONAL PROJECTS
Breadth organized by
engineering discipline.
Additional examples that show the breadth of my work across embedded products, engineering infrastructure, manufacturing systems, and early-stage architecture.
Embedded Systems & Product Development
Integrated embedded power, communications, and controls for a long-endurance autonomous research vehicle.
Advanced electronics and firmware from product development through manufacturing maturity and acquisition.
Developed reliable embedded interfaces and communications for field-deployed sensing systems.
Engineering Tools & Development Infrastructure
Automated build, verification, packaging, and release workflows for embedded products.
Converted device and production data into actionable engineering feedback through focused internal tools.
Created practical standards and review workflows that made sound engineering decisions easier to repeat.
Manufacturing & Production Systems
Created repeatable test systems that connected product requirements to clear manufacturing decisions.
Structured production, quality, and field evidence to accelerate root cause analysis and corrective action.
Coordinated engineering, manufacturing, suppliers, and quality to resolve recurring production issues and improve launch readiness.
System Architecture & Concept Development
Evaluated system tradeoffs across power, controls, safety, and physical constraints before product commitment.
Built representative systems to validate interfaces and retire technical risk before higher-cost development.
Translated product goals, lifecycle needs, and technical constraints into actionable system architectures.
INVITATION
06 / CONTACT
START A CONVERSATIONEngineering leadership
Engineering leadership
for products that must scale.
Looking for someone to build or scale an embedded engineering organization? I'd love to hear about your challenges.
Let's talk about the product, the team, and the engineering system required to build reliable products and scale successful engineering organizations.
RESUME
Download Resume (PDF)Need a traditional resume for your hiring process?
Download a concise PDF version that summarizes my experience, leadership, and technical background.
APPENDIX
07 / TECHNICAL REFERENCE
A searchable engineering
appendix.
This reference reflects the multidisciplinary nature of my work across the full product development lifecycle. While no single project includes every technology listed here, each represents hands-on experience gained through designing, building, manufacturing, or supporting complex embedded systems.
Microcontrollers and Compute PlatformsEXPAND +
- STM32
- PIC18
- PIC24
- MSP430
- CC2640
- TM4C
- Raspberry Pi
- ARM Cortex-M
- TrustZone
- Secure Boot
Programming LanguagesEXPAND +
- C
- C++
- Python
- VHDL
- YAML
- Shell scripting
RTOS and Embedded SoftwareEXPAND +
- FreeRTOS
- CMSIS
- Bare metal
- RTOS architecture
- Device drivers
- Hardware abstraction layers
- Bootloaders
- OTA updates
- Diagnostics
- State machines
- PID controllers
- CLI
- Utilities
Electronics and HardwareEXPAND +
- Mixed-signal PCB design
- Sensors
- Power systems
- Battery systems
- Motor controls
- Pump controls
- LEDs
- EMC
- Board bring-up
Communications and ConnectivityEXPAND +
- Protocol development
- RS-485
- UART
- SPI
- I2C
- USB
- Ethernet
- BLE
- Wi-Fi
FPGAEXPAND +
- Cyclone III
- MAX II
- Intel Quartus
- FPGA architecture
- Deterministic timing
- Signal generation
- Hardware interfaces
Manufacturing and ProductionEXPAND +
- NPI
- Production ramp
- Production test
- DFM
- DFT
- Process improvement
- Defect investigation
- Test fixtures
- Supplier collaboration
- Sustaining engineering
Verification and QualityEXPAND +
- Risk management
- Automated verification
- Verification planning
- Requirements traceability
- Static analysis
- Design reviews
- Root cause analysis
- Quality systems
Development InfrastructureEXPAND +
- Azure DevOps
- Git
- CMake
- Ninja
- CI/CD
- Build automation
- Release workflows
- Python tooling
- Docker
Embedded Development ToolsEXPAND +
- STM32CubeIDE
- Code Composer Studio
- MPLAB
- VS Code
Electronic Design ToolsEXPAND +
- Altium Designer
- OrCAD
- Schematic capture
- PCB review
- Simulation
Mechanical and CADEXPAND +
- FreeCAD
- 3D printing
- Mechanical integration
- Thermal systems
- Enclosure constraints
- CAD collaboration
- Design for assembly
Systems ArchitectureEXPAND +
- System decomposition
- Requirements engineering
- Interface definition
- Memory architecture
- Platform roadmaps
- Trade studies
- Risk analysis
Medical Device DevelopmentEXPAND +
- Design controls
- Quality systems
- Risk management
- Requirements traceability
- Verification planning
- Manufacturing support
Technical LeadershipEXPAND +
- Technical ownership
- Design reviews
- Mentoring
- Cross-functional planning
- Development standards
- External partnerships