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Max Henstell

Engineer, Maker, Artist

Other Experience

Head of Hardware Engineering • Aug, 2020 — Sept 2022

Responsible for all aspects of hardware engineering - including electrical, mechanical, and firmware - for a startup focused on modernizing embedded development with cloud-based tools. Also resposible for backend API design, as well as user-facing CLI tools and Python libraries.

Consulting Engineer

Dec, 2017 — Present •

I consult for companies on a wide range of challenges, offering skills in backend and embedded programming, infrastructure planning and training, hardware and mechanical design, and general assistance in paying-down technical debt and integrating industry best-practices.

Lead Sensor Engineer • Oct, 2015 — Dec, 2017

Second employee at a small 3D mapping startup. Utilized a wide range of skills to translate "ground truth" from multiple sensors to usable 3D models.

  • Built a "Google Maps"-like mobile 3D mapping vehicle from the ground up
  • Wrote data collection and processing software to aid in 3D pointcloud generation
  • Wrote and maintained cloud-based 2D/3D data collection and processing pipeline and other backend systems
  • Designed, built, and installed custom PCBs and plastic enclosures for vehicle-mounted 2D "swarm" sensors

Software Engineer • Nov, 2014 — Oct, 2015

Primarily worked on Makerbot Desktop software, used for basic 3D CAM and job spooling for Makerbot printers. Worked on low-level integration with all Makerbot Replicator printers.

Hardware Engineer • Jun, 2013 — Oct, 2014

Designed hardware and firmware for the Livestream Surface Core and Surface Track control surfaces. These products utilized LEDs, motorized faders, LCD screens, OLED screens, and sound I/O to provide an all-in-one video mixing controller for Livestream software. Utilized a wide range of skills including electrical and 3D design, DFM, EMI testing, fabrication, and microcontroller programming.

Blinkiverse

Co-Founder • 2012 — 2013

Co-founded Blinkiverse with the intent to design and manufacture LED devices for interactive theater installations and maker projects. Accepted into a China-based startup accelerator, and spent several months living and working in Shenzhen, designing and prototyping ideas. The final product, Blinkytape, was successfully funded on Kickstarter.

Blip Networks

Software Engineer • 2012 — 2013

Designed and maintained backend systems in Python, Java, and Lua, using nginx and redis on AWS. Design and implemented a sucessful service for tracking thousands of user engagement signals per second on an inexpensive, scalable cluster.

New York University

IT Specialist • 2010 — 2012

Wrote Java and Python code in support of Blackboard and the open-source Sakai OAE learning management systems. Built and maintained Jenkins systems for continuous integration of Sakai code development.

The Orchard

Video Engineer • 2009 — 2010

Handled and automated the processing of thousands of music videos and movies for delivery to major online storefronts and content delivery networks. Implemented a multi-Terabyte Storage Area Network for rapid video processing.