Daniel K.

Experience

• Embedded & Control Systems Engineer AIDroneCrope · Contract Apr 2016 – Present 10 yrs 5 mos Germany * Developed flight-control and guidance algorithms for autonomous UAV platforms, including waypoint navigation, attitude control, altitude control, and trajectory tracking.
  * Customized PX4 and ArduPilot-based systems and developed controller logic for different airframes and operating conditions.
  * Designed sensor-fusion and navigation architectures combining IMU, GPS, airspeed, visual information, and other onboard sensors.
  * Developed hardware-in-the-loop and software-in-the-loop simulation workflows to test robotic control systems safely before physical deployment.
  * Integrated computer vision and AI/ML techniques into autonomous robotics systems for perception, navigation, target detection, and decision-making.
  * Designed and tested embedded communication systems for reliable data exchange between flight controllers, companion computers, sensors, and ground systems.
• Independent Engineering Consultant Consulting · Freelance May 2011 – Present 15 yrs 4 mos Germany * Design and develop robotic, UAV, embedded, and electronic systems from concept through prototype and testing.
  * Develop autonomous drone and robotic control systems using MATLAB/Simulink, Python, C/C++, PX4, ArduPilot, ROS2, and embedded controllers.
  * Design custom electronic hardware and PCBs using KiCad, including flight controllers, sensor interfaces, power management, motor-control circuits, and communication interfaces.
  * Develop embedded firmware for ESP32, STM32, and other microcontroller-based platforms, integrating IMUs, GPS, cameras, telemetry, motors, servos, and other sensors.
  * Build and tune control algorithms including PID, MPC, Sliding Mode Control (SMC), ADRC, and reinforcement-learning-based control for autonomous robotic systems.
  * Create simulation environments for UAVs and robotics to validate flight dynamics, navigation, control algorithms, sensor behavior, and autonomous missions before hardware testing.
  * Integrate mechanical, electronic, and software components into complete robotic systems, with attention to manufacturability, reliability, and real-world deployment.
  * Develop prototypes and coordinate the transition from engineering design to PCB fabrication, assembly, hardware testing, and system-level validation.
  * Work on fixed-wing UAVs, multirotors, VTOL platforms, ground robots, and autonomous robotic systems involving navigation, perception, and intelligent control.