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Alec Blackburn

Available to hire

I'm Alec Blackburn, an embedded hardware and software designer with a passion for turning concepts into robust, production-ready electronics.

About

I’m Alec Blackburn, an embedded hardware and software designer with a passion for turning concepts into robust, production-ready electronics. I have extensive hands-on experience with low-power, high-temperature circuits, PCB layout in Altium, FPGA prototyping, and firmware development in C using Keil and Code Composer Studio. Over the years I’ve delivered designs for healthcare, manufacturing, telecom, and automotive-inspired projects, often taking products from schematic to prototype and into CE-approved production.

I enjoy solving complex hardware/software integration challenges, optimizing signal integrity, and building reliable test and production tooling. I thrive in cross-functional teams, collaborating with customers to specify requirements, resolve issues, and deliver timely designs. When not coding or scheming schematics, I love exploring new embedded platforms and pushing designs toward more efficient power usage and longer battery life.

  • 25 years' experience
  • Joined January 2026

Skills· 4

Languages

  • EnglishFluent

Industry experience

  • Computers & Electronics
  • Manufacturing
  • Professional Services
  • Telecommunications

More experts in Nottingham, United Kingdom

Work experience· 26 roles

FPGA Design Engineer · Ashling MicrosystemsFeb 2018 – Present · 8 yrs 10 mos

Design FPGA prototyping platform for smart cards for NXP. Works with Kintex Ultrascale XCKU115; analog/digital design (ADC/DAC/OPAMPs/Power supplies, USB, eMMC, SPIFI, I2C, SPI, SERIAL). Responsible for 12-PCB schematics conversion from ORCAD to Altium and PCB re-layout to improve signal integrity. Generated manufacturing information, wrote test software for board bring-up using Keil, and created FPGA test code with Vivado. Guided CE approval activities.

Electronics Design Engineer · Ashling MicrosystemsFeb 2018 – Present · 8 yrs 10 mos

Working on design FPGA prototyping platform for design of smart cards For NXP. Based on Kintex Ultrascale XCKU115, NXP LPC54608. Analog and digital design (ADC/DAC/OPAMPS/POWER SUPPLYS, USB, EEMMC, SPIFI, I2C, SPI, SERIAL). Resolved design issues with customers. System comprised of 12 PCB’s. Conversion of schematics from ORCAD to Altium. PCB re-layout to improve signal integrity. Provided manufacturing information for production. Test software for initial board bring up using Keil. Test code for FPGA using Vivado. Involved in CE approval process.

Embedded Systems Designer · Direct Customers (Remote Working)Oct 2017 – Feb 2018 · 5 mos

Designed a hub for a utility company based on ST Cortex-M7 with Ethernet, WiFi, Bluetooth, LoRa and Sub-1G radio for meter reading. Included tank level projects with HMI display, NFC reader and GSM connectivity. Software development using Keil and Code Composer Studio; schematic and PCB layout in Altium.

Electronics Design ContractorOct 2017 – Feb 2018 · 5 mos
Hardware Design Engineer · Taylor HobsonMay 2017 – Oct 2017 · 6 mos
Electronics Engineer · Taylor HobsonMay 2017 – Oct 2017 · 6 mos
Electronics Design/ConsultantJul 2015 – Apr 2016 · 10 mos
Electronics Hardware Design Engineer · Markem ImajeNov 2014 – Jul 2015 · 9 mos

Certifications and awards· 11

BSc (Hons) Computer Science2030 – 2026
HNC Electronic Engineering2030 – 2026
ONC Electronic Engineering2030 – 2026
BSc (Hons) Computer Science2030 – 2026

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