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zcohen-nerd

Zac Cohen

Electromechanical Systems Engineer​

Autonomous maritime systems · robotics · embedded hardware · field integration

Designing integrated hardware systems from architecture to deployment

View selected systems Résumé (PDF) Email Zac

Zac Cohen beside a system block diagram — a controller linked to sensors, actuators, and a power domain — and a render of the SENTRY turret platform

I design and build electromechanical systems that combine mechanical structures, embedded electronics, and firmware into reliable working hardware.

My work focuses on system architecture, clear interface boundaries, and hardware that can be built, tested, and iterated quickly. I spend most of my time turning ideas into physical prototypes, building test platforms, and documenting the decisions that make complex systems maintainable.

20vessel autonomous fleet deployed
30+custom PCBs designed and deployed
100+students per year on deployed hardware
2peer-reviewed robotics publications
~84%SURFER hull cost reduction

I also apply the same systems mindset through volunteer leadership in FIRST Robotics Competition, including event operations, judging, and mentoring engineering teams.

The full professional record — experience, education, and certifications — is on the About page.

  • SURFER Autonomous Vessel Fleet · Deployed · Maritime autonomy — 20-vessel holonomic autonomous surface-vehicle fleet combining an SLA (stereolithography) manufacturing redesign, custom electronics, and a hardware safety architecture.
    Core domains: systems architecture, manufacturing, embedded controls, safety systems, fleet integration
  • SENTRY V3 · Deployed · Embedded control / mechatronics — Embedded control platform for a pan-tilt actuation system, integrating sensors, motor drivers, and safety-oriented control logic.
    Core domains: PCB, embedded firmware, controls, integration, test
  • Fusion System Blocks · Public Beta · System-architecture tooling — Autodesk Fusion add-in that embeds structured system-architecture diagrams inside Fusion designs — typed connections, rule checking, links to real CAD components, snapshots, and engineering exports, backed by automated tests.
    Core domains: systems architecture, documentation tooling, software verification, CAD integration
  • SPARK Programming Board · Prototype · Hardware tooling — Hardened breakout and target-interface board for embedded bring-up; beta hardware in hand and in bring-up.
    Core domains: embedded tools, hardware interfaces, firmware, validation

How I Build Systems​

Architecture → Interfaces → Implementation → Integration → Verification → Field Learning

How I build systems diagram
  • Define system boundaries and electrical, mechanical, and software interfaces before touching implementation.
  • Prototype the risky interfaces early and test physical behavior, not assumptions.
  • Design subsystems to evolve independently.
  • Treat testing as part of design, not something done afterward.
  • Consider manufacturing and serviceability from the beginning.
  • Document decisions so systems remain maintainable years later.
  • Feed field failures back into the next revision.

Other Work​

  • FIRST Robotics — Technical event operations and volunteer leadership: coordinating the large multidisciplinary organizations that deliver district robotics competitions.
  • Teaching Portfolio — College CAD instruction, laboratory development, and curriculum design for engineering education.
  • Writing & Research — Peer-reviewed publications, conference speaking, technical essays, and open-source engineering documentation.

Publications & Speaking​

Peer-reviewed work and conference presentations spanning flight-controller test infrastructure, additive manufacturing, robotics, and mechatronics education.

  • ICUAS 2025 — GNSS Emulator for Test and Evaluation of Flight Controller Performance
    Co-author
  • IEEE/RSJ IROS 2024 — A Geometry-based Approach for Support-free Additive Manufacturing of Structures with Large Overhang Angles and Closed Features
    Co-author and presenter · Abu Dhabi
  • Autodesk University 2025 — From Schematics to Reality: Turbocharging Mechatronics with Fusion
    Selected presenter · Based on SENTRY

View publications and presentations →

Engineering Focus​

  • Embedded systems
  • PCB design
  • Electromechanical integration
  • Controls and actuation
  • Rapid prototyping
  • Hardware test infrastructure
  • Systems architecture

Contact​