Owen L Brown, Developer in Belgrade, MT, United States
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Owen L Brown

Bio

Owen is an experienced software/firmware architect and engineer. He has 20+ years of experience developing automation and control systems with an emphasis on mobile app integration using BLE, WiFi, and cellular for consumer IoT and IIoT. He's also the author of an iOS, BLE, and PIC book and writes tutorials on RayWenderlich.com. Owen enjoys IoT and wireless control projects, from large industrial equipment to handheld devices. He specializes in cross-platform, turn-key product development.

Portfolio

Freelance Contractor
GPS, Bluetooth, Core Bluetooth, Adobe Illustrator, MPLAB, Embedded C, Xcode...
Freelance Clients
ATAK, Military Comms, Mesh Development, LoRa, GNSS, Mapping, Sensor Data...
Embedded Engineering Solutions
Nordic nRF52, Slack, Bitbucket, Embedded C, Swift, Xcode, C, Bluetooth...

Experience

  • Embedded C - 20 years
  • Robotics - 20 years
  • Bluetooth - 12 years
  • Internet of Things (IoT) - 10 years
  • iOS - 10 years
  • Swift - 7 years
  • Kotlin - 1 year
  • JavaScript - 1 year

Preferred Environment

MacOS, MPLAB, IAR Embedded Workbench, Jira, Bitbucket, Git, Visual Studio Code (VS Code), Xcode, Android Studio, SEGGER Embedded Studio

The most amazing...

...project I've developed was a consumer IoT ecosystem with cameras, sensors, lighting, and outlets marketed at retailers such as Walmart, Best Buy, and others.

Work Experience

Senior Level Contractor for Mobile and Embedded Development

2009 - PRESENT
Freelance Contractor
  • Made multi-RF embedded products for military comms, PCB design, embedded firmware, goTenna ProX2 integration, ATAK integration, voice comms, sensor data, LoRa mesh, Android app for team awareness of embedded devices, integrated/synced with ATAK EUDs.
  • Built a wearable tech iOS app (Swift) for military-related protective gear with GPS tracking, biometric sensing, and wireless communications.
  • Hired as an iOS engineer contractor for the iOS app (Swift) portion of a project for a company that trained special forces for covert surveillance. The application was heavy on UI and image asset manipulation and integration with MapKit.
  • Designed an iPad app (Objective C) for monitoring and controlling a fully automated agricultural equipment. The app gives a full-featured equipment-based UI experience. Developed the equipment's electrical system, PCB, and firmware.
  • Developed three iOS iPad and iPhone apps (Swift) to monitor HRV RR intervals for professional analysis and training of user stress levels. The iPad app is used in training scenarios for the police force and other teams. Enabled BLE comms with HRMs.
  • Developed four iPod apps (Swift) with SAP back-end integration. Apps ranged from commercial airline food inventory management to retail store inventory management and included Bluetooth communications with a handheld scanner.
  • Designed the control system of medical gurney washing equipment. Developed the app for iOS iPad (Swift) for the user control station with the user login. Also designed the PCB and embedded C firmware for controlling the unit.
  • Created an iOS phone app for chiropractic device integration and included Bluetooth communication with devices. It has an animated graphic UI indicating the device settings and functionality sequence.
  • Built women's clothing iOS (Swift) companion apps with cloud synchronization to show available clothing and track orders; they provided a connection between retail consultants and customers for LulaRoe clothing (not directly for LuLaRoe Corp.).
  • Developed two iOS (Swift) companion apps for reducing teen drunk driving—one app for parents and another for teenagers. They included cloud sync, face recognition, BLE comms with an industry breathalyzer, alerts, notifications, and subscriptions.
Technologies: GPS, Bluetooth, Core Bluetooth, Adobe Illustrator, MPLAB, Embedded C, Xcode, Swift, iOS, C, Microprocessors, Wireless Protocols, Android Studio, Model View ViewModel (MVVM), REST APIs, Nordic nRF52, C++, Objective-C, Raspberry Pi, IoT Security, Mobile Development, Architecture, Mobile Apps, Mobile GPS, Hardware, Cloud, Mobile, Location Services, Bluetooth Low Energy (LE), Mobile Architecture, Technical Leadership, Embedded Systems, WiFi, Wireless Communication, Embedded Linux, Embedded Software, Firmware, Linux, Software Engineering, Engineering Management, Delivery Management, Algorithms, Optimization, Memory Management, Embedded C++, Low-level Programming, Embedded Hardware, Microchip PIC18, Microcontroller Programming, Code Architecture, PIC32, Home Automation, Embedded System Design (ESD), Real-time Operating System (RTOS), Embedded Development, ESP32, Jetpack Compose, STM32, Medical Devices, Sensor Data, Prototyping, Microcontrollers, Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), LoRa, LoRaWAN, GIS, GPS Tracker, Maps, Node.js, Software Development, Web Services, ATAK, Military Comms, Mesh Development, GNSS, GPS Integration, Mapping, Sensor Integration, FreeRTOS, CAN Bus, Test Automation, QA Automation, JavaScript, Communication Protocols, Firmware Testing, Hardware Integration, Hardware Testing, Real-time Embedded Systems, API Integration, User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), Firebase, Control Systems, Electrical Engineering, PLC, CAD, Electrical Systems Design, Electronics, PCB Design, PCB Layout, Printed Circuit Board (PCB), KiCad, Manufacturing, Technical Project Management, Vendor Management, Team Leadership, CTO, Real-time Data, AWS IoT Core, Real-time Streaming, Real-time Systems, Agile Project Management, Code Review, Solution Architecture, Digital Signal Processing, Firmware Development

Contract Engineer

2024 - 2026
Freelance Clients
  • Built multi-RF embedded products for military comms: PCB design, embedded firmware, multiple MCUs, goTenna ProX2 integration, ATAK integration, and voice comms, transferring vital sensor data to a central location via LoRa mesh.
  • Created a custom Android application for team awareness of custom embedded devices, along with integration and synchronization to existing ATAK EUDs.
  • Served as the system architect of the embedded devices' hardware and firmware, communication protocols, mesh network, and application software.
Technologies: ATAK, Military Comms, Mesh Development, LoRa, GNSS, Mapping, Sensor Data, FreeRTOS, CAN Bus, Test Automation, QA Automation, JavaScript, Communication Protocols, Firmware Testing, Hardware Integration, Hardware Testing, Real-time Embedded Systems, 3D CAD, AutoCAD, Computer Numeric Control (CNC) Machines, Hardware Design, Low Latency, Optical Systems, Design For Assembly (DFA), Design for Manufacture & Assembly (DFMA), Mechanical Engineering, API Integration, User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), Firebase, Control Systems, Electrical Engineering, PLC, CAD, Electrical Systems Design, Electronics, PCB Design, PCB Layout, Printed Circuit Board (PCB), KiCad, Manufacturing, Technical Project Management, Vendor Management, Team Leadership, Operations, CTO, COO, Real-time Data, Telemetry, C#, AWS IoT Core, Real-time Streaming, Real-time Systems, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Agile Project Management, Code Review, Solution Architecture, Technical Product Management, Digital Signal Processing, Firmware Development, Electronic Components, Semiconductors, Supplier Management, Supply Chain Operations, System Integration, Technology Strategy & Architecture

Senior Architect/Engineer for Mobile Software and Embedded Firmware

2018 - 2025
Embedded Engineering Solutions
  • Developed an iOS mobile app and embedded firmware to communicate via BLE for monitoring biometric sensors of human viability and movements. This included a 3D avatar that moves in sync with the wearer's actions.
  • Created a user interface using E-Ink display technology and embedded firmware with BLE communication capabilities.
  • Developed firmware for a UPS battery backup system used on large marine yachts.
Technologies: Nordic nRF52, Slack, Bitbucket, Embedded C, Swift, Xcode, C, Bluetooth, Microprocessors, Wireless Protocols, Android Studio, REST APIs, C++, Mobile Development, Python, Architecture, Mobile Apps, Mobile GPS, Hardware, Cloud, Mobile, iOS, Location Services, GPS, Bluetooth Low Energy (LE), Mobile Architecture, Technical Leadership, Embedded Systems, WiFi, Wireless Communication, Embedded Linux, Embedded Software, Firmware, Linux, Software Engineering, Engineering Management, Delivery Management, Algorithms, Optimization, Memory Management, Low-level Programming, Embedded Hardware, Microchip PIC18, Microcontroller Programming, Code Architecture, PIC32, Home Automation, Embedded System Design (ESD), Real-time Operating System (RTOS), Embedded Development, ESP32, Sensor Data, Prototyping, Microcontrollers, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Software Development, Web Services, FreeRTOS, CAN Bus, Test Automation, QA Automation, Communication Protocols, Firmware Testing, Hardware Integration, Hardware Testing, Real-time Embedded Systems, API Integration, User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), Firebase, Control Systems, Electrical Engineering, PLC, CAD, Electrical Systems Design, Electronics, PCB Design, PCB Layout, Printed Circuit Board (PCB), KiCad, Manufacturing, Technical Project Management, Vendor Management, Team Leadership, Real-time Data, Telemetry, Real-time Streaming, Real-time Systems, Agile Project Management, Code Review, Solution Architecture, Technical Product Management, Firmware Development

Android Engineer

2021 - 2021
Global Automotive Company
  • Built an Android Kotlin app specifically for installation on automobile car head units. The app communicates with the car's low-level hardware abstraction layer (HAL) and transfers data to AWS IoT.
  • Designed and built the bulk of the app's base logic and data handlers. This includes user consent UI and logic support, signal read request support, interaction with the Car HAL, location handling, car sensor anomaly detection, and more.
  • Developed Kotlin software utility to auto-parse OEM HAL files based on Google HAL standard to generate 'drop-in' Kotlin code and protocol buffer scheme support.
Technologies: Kotlin, HAL, MQTT, AWS IoT, Coroutines, Android Studio, Mobile Development, Mobile Apps, Mobile GPS, Mobile, Location Services, GPS, Mobile Architecture, Software Engineering, Algorithms, Optimization, Memory Management, Android HAL, Embedded System Design (ESD), Sensor Data, Prototyping, Software Development, Web Services, CAN Bus, Communication Protocols, Hardware Integration, Control Systems, Real-time Data, Telemetry, Real-time Streaming, Code Review

VP of Software Development | Senior Architect

2017 - 2018
Switchmate Home
  • Served as the VP of software development for a team of high-performance engineers specializing in iOS, Android, embedded firmware, and AWS IoT.
  • Automated home control with security sensors and alarms, including video streaming capabilities directly to iOS and Android devices. I was the senior architect of the IoT consumer ecosystem.
  • Contributed to much of the hands-on development of embedded firmware for IoT devices.
  • Oversaw the Jira sprint priorities based on pressing bugs and development release schedules.
Technologies: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Android, Internet of Things (IoT), WiFi, Embedded C, Swift, Xcode, C, Bluetooth, Microprocessors, Wireless Protocols, Android Studio, REST APIs, WebSockets, Video Streaming, Nordic nRF52, C++, IoT Security, Mobile Development, Architecture, Mobile Apps, Mobile GPS, Hardware, Cloud, Mobile, iOS, Location Services, GPS, Bluetooth Low Energy (LE), Mobile Architecture, Technical Leadership, Embedded Systems, Wireless Communication, Embedded Software, Firmware, Software Engineering, Engineering Management, Delivery Management, Optimization, Memory Management, Low-level Programming, Embedded Hardware, Microcontroller Programming, Code Architecture, Home Automation, Embedded System Design (ESD), Real-time Operating System (RTOS), Embedded Development, Sensor Data, Prototyping, Microcontrollers, Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Software Development, Web Services, CAN Bus, Communication Protocols, Firmware Testing, Hardware Integration, Real-time Embedded Systems, API Integration, User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), Technical Project Management, Team Leadership, CTO, Real-time Streaming, Real-time Systems, Agile Project Management, Code Review, Solution Architecture, Technical Product Management, Technology Strategy & Architecture

Experience

Switchmate - Home Security and Automation

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/simplysmart-home-by-switchmate/id1345559960
I was the VP of software development for Switchmate products. Their products had many quality control issues in the mobile apps (iOS and Android), firmware, and cloud. I was hired to manage the teams and sort out the technical debt that was causing the loss of major retail contracts.

The product ecosystem consisted of home security cameras, window sensors, alarms, automation of lighting and outlets. It involved iOS (Swift), Android apps, embedded firmware, AWS IoT Cloud, DynamoDB, S3 storage, BLE, WiFi, and many other aspects related to the technology.

I also performed as the primary architect of the ecosystem, designing protocols, and communication flow patterns. On many occasions, I wrote Swift and embedded C code to help with the intense deadlines.

Also, I assisted with the planning of the bi-weekly sprints and repository commit examinations.

iBand-It iOS App

https://www.balebandit.com/model-200/monitor-2/
iOS (iPad) app for monitoring/controlling a large, fully automated agricultural equipment called Bale Band-It. I designed and implemented the app, the interface, the embedded PCB control boards, the embedded firmware and wireless BLE communication protocols along with the electrical system.
The system controls the automation of the equipment's electric-over-hydraulic cylinders and motors. The equipment operates at high speed without requiring user interaction for normal harvesting process.
App Features:
- Provides the user with realtime feedback of equipment's operations and status.
- Logging of GPS locations for harvest analysis with ability to zone calculations into 'fields' and store data for comparison across multiple years.
- Complete maintenance scheduling and alerts system based on equipment usage is available at a touch of a button.
- Full error code system with question/answer troubleshooting view is used to narrow the source of common issues.
- An override remote control view to allow user to manually operated cylinders and motors.
- Performance monitoring graphs and alerts to ensure hydraulic system is properly responding within acceptable parameters.
Note: App graphics were created by a graphics designer.

HRV - Heart Rate Variability Applications

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/hrv-team/id1445600025
A swift-based suit of HRV iOS apps for professional analysis of high-stress occupations such as police force units. Single and team setting monitoring during occupational training while gathering real-time data via BLE.

Realtime display of chart graphics, user setup, CSV export, and event logging.

PulStar Phaser - Integration with Chiropractic Device

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pulstar-phaser/id1174178728
iOS (Swift) app that integrates a chiropractic custom device via BLE (Core Bluetooth). The app uses Core Data for persisting/viewing the usage history in the database. I developed the iOS app and integrated it with their device.

Guardride Guardian and Driver - Teenage Drunk Driving Preventative

This project is designed to prevent teen drunk driving with parental accountability. There are two apps, one for a parent and another for the teen developed in Swift. There are scheduled breathalyzer tests set up by the parent. The driver app integrates with a BACtrack mobile breathalyzer using BLE and Core Bluetooth framework. Facial recognition (Luxand) is used during the test and a short video is recorded for parental review. Push notifications (APN) tell Guardian app when milestones are missed or failed. The teen is required to test their alcohol level before driving which is enforced by monitoring the teens' movement speed. The apps communicate/synchronize with each other via a remote AWS/MongoDB server.

BRS100: Medical Gurney Washing Equipment

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/brs100/id1157810807
The BRS100 equipment cleans and disinfects medical equipment, such as gurneys and IV poles, by spraying it with oscillating arms. The machine varies the wash time based on the equipment being washed and the cycle being run. I developed the control system and UI.

User Interface: iOS (Swift) iPad app.

App features: BLE connection to Controller board, real-time feedback of machine operations, control panel view for manually operating electric motors and solenoids, visual indicators of sensors input status, animated UI, twist-to-start/resume button, virtual maintained/momentary/toggle control buttons, parameter settings for cycle settings and alarm timeouts, view displaying real-time input/output status, user login permissions with username/ password, cycle history logging/viewing using Realm database framework, CSV exporting of history, built-in PDF user manual, and supports multiple languages: English and French.

Controller: PCB, PIC32 microcontroller, BLE module, eight digital inputs, 11 digital outputs (motors and solenoids), UART coms, SPI, MRAM, proximity switches, level sensors, outputs driven by fused MOSFETs.
The embedded firmware in C using Microchip's MPLab X with ICD3.
I designed the PCB circuit and layout.

Automotive Android Senior Engineer

At a Volvo Cars startup, I served as a senior engineer on an Android Automotive program that involved deep integration between mobile/vehicle software and OEM hardware abstraction layers. I contributed to the architecture and implementation of connected in-vehicle systems, protocol design, and cloud-connected workflows using Kotlin, Android Automotive, AWS IoT, and Protocol Buffers. This work required coordination across embedded interfaces, real-time vehicle data paths, and user-facing software, strengthening expertise directly applicable to projects that combine iOS/Android apps, microcontroller firmware, digital gauge/display systems, hub architectures, LCD interfaces, and mobile-driven configuration and update workflows for automotive products.

Education

1994 - 1998

Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics

Liberty University - Lynchburg, VA

Skills

Libraries/APIs

REST APIs, Node.js

Tools

Xcode, Slack, IAR Embedded Workbench, Trello, Bitbucket, Android Studio, GIS, AutoCAD, CAD, PCB Layout, KiCad, Git, Adobe Illustrator, Grand Central Dispatch, Jira, Confluence, MQTT, Atmel Studio

Languages

Embedded C, Objective-C, Swift, Kotlin, C, C++, Embedded C++, Java, Python, C#, JavaScript

Frameworks

Core Plot, MapKit, Core Data, Core Bluetooth

Paradigms

Automation, Model View ViewModel (MVVM), Mobile Development, Test Automation, Real-time Systems, Management

Platforms

Visual Studio Code (VS Code), MacOS, Windows, Bluetooth Low Energy (LE), AWS IoT, iOS, Android, Mobile, Embedded System Design (ESD), STM32, Firebase, Eclipse, Amazon Web Services (AWS), AWS IoT Core, Raspberry Pi, Embedded Linux, Linux, Parse Server, WordPress, SEGGER Embedded Studio

Industry Expertise

Electrical Systems Design

Storage

Amazon DynamoDB, MongoDB, Realm, Amazon S3 (AWS S3)

Other

MPLAB, Microsoft 365, Nordic nRF52, WiFi, Bluetooth, Home Automation, Robotics, GPS, Microcontroller Programming, PIC32, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), Code Architecture, Internet of Things (IoT), IoT Protocols, ARM Embedded, Microprocessors, Wireless Protocols, WebSockets, Architecture, Mobile Apps, Mobile GPS, Hardware, Cloud, Location Services, Mobile Architecture, Technical Leadership, Embedded Systems, Wireless Communication, Embedded Software, Firmware, Software Engineering, Engineering Management, Delivery Management, Data Structures, Algorithms, Optimization, Memory Management, Low-level Programming, Embedded Hardware, Microchip PIC18, Android HAL, Real-time Operating System (RTOS), Embedded Development, ESP32, Medical Devices, Sensor Data, Prototyping, Microcontrollers, Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), LoRa, GPS Tracker, Software Development, Web Services, FreeRTOS, CAN Bus, QA Automation, Communication Protocols, Firmware Testing, Hardware Integration, Hardware Testing, Real-time Embedded Systems, 3D CAD, Hardware Design, Low Latency, Design For Assembly (DFA), Design for Manufacture & Assembly (DFMA), Mechanical Engineering, API Integration, User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), Control Systems, Electrical Engineering, PLC, Electronics, PCB Design, Printed Circuit Board (PCB), Manufacturing, Technical Project Management, Vendor Management, Team Leadership, Operations, CTO, COO, Real-time Data, Telemetry, Real-time Streaming, Agile Project Management, Code Review, Solution Architecture, Technical Product Management, Digital Signal Processing, Firmware Development, Electronic Components, Semiconductors, Supplier Management, Supply Chain Operations, System Integration, Technology Strategy & Architecture, Video Streaming, IoT Security, Jetpack Compose, LoRaWAN, Maps, Computer Numeric Control (CNC) Machines, Optical Systems, Artificial Intelligence (AI), HAL, Coroutines, MRAM, Control4, Hydraulic Engineering, Android Rooting, ATAK, Military Comms, Mesh Development, GNSS, Mapping, GPS Integration, Sensor Integration, Data Compression, User Permissions

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