After grabbing a cup of coffee, I look at my to-do list. I have a text file on hand where I put down different thoughts throughout the day. When I come in each morning, I review the list and prioritize the ideas and tasks I’ve written and then get straight to work.

The beginning of projects involves having discussions with my colleagues, looking at which path we should take and its implementation. We discuss which features we want, all from safety switches to OLED displays. Currently, I’m creating and working on the circuit board for our latest project. With circuit boards, you have to define how it will be connected and create a general overview or blueprint of it. You then have to worry about the copper and chips, figuring out how you want them to work.

What are your key responsibilities?

I have to verify all the datasheets and manuals, partake in some tests, and at the end of it all, make sure everything works. You need a product that is ready to be sold and that the users can use without worrying about whether they work or will require any fixes.

My responsibilities, currently, are solely based on the current project at hand, it requires all my focus, so I don’t have time to pick up other tasks outside of it.

Pros

I enjoy that it’s like a puzzle but also feels like magic. Having an idea and then being able to make it work. Once you define a schematic, there’s a lot of dragging and dropping; it’s like playing Tetris. Because of the debugging and problem fixing, there’s always something to do. The cool part is designing, and then the more difficult but still fun part is ironing out all the issues.

It has been a bonus to work with experienced people; even though I bring my own experience from my hobby of working with circuit boards, it’s nice to have someone to spar with and talk through the problems you’re facing.

Cons

While it is nice to do, it’s complex. There are like 10,000 elements with circuit boards that have to work together, so you get the output that you had in mind. With that, there are a thousand connections, ways of assembly, and processes you need to set up. Because of the hard work and difficulty, this is not something you can do as a part-time job, unless as a hobby; it’s something you need to be dedicated to. You have to remind yourself that the product goes into someone’s hands at the end of the day, and they will have to use it. Unlike software which you can update and fix from afar, electronics don’t work the same way. If something fails, it’s not only bad for the user but you and your company.