Karim Ray Mahdi
Electrical Engineering · Embedded Systems · Hardware Design
I design and build hardware-centered systems that connect circuits, firmware, sensors, and software. My work spans PCB design, embedded control, power electronics, robotics, and AI-enabled sensing, with a focus on reliable systems that can be tested, measured, and improved.
About
I'm an Electrical Engineering graduate from Texas Tech University (May 2026) with a minor in Mathematics. My background is in embedded systems, power electronics, controls, robotics, and hardware-software integration.
I've always been drawn to systems where the electrical design, firmware, sensors, and mechanical behavior all have to work together. I enjoy taking complex problems apart, understanding the physics behind them, and building practical solutions that can be tested, measured, and improved.
I'm also the Co-Founder of Tech Innovation Labs at Texas Tech University, a student organization focused on AI entrepreneurship, technical projects, and edge-AI work, helping students turn engineering ideas into working prototypes.
Professional Experience
At the UN Development Program (Middle East & Africa), I supported solar PV and wind projects, covering load estimation, system sizing, LCOE analysis, grid-interconnection review, and preliminary schematics in Autodesk EAGLE.
As co-founder of Motonari Studio, I worked on a secure hardware wallet for crypto gaming, focused on embedded firmware, secure hardware design, system architecture, and real-time Solana/Ethereum monitoring.
Technical Focus
My technical work focuses on PCB design, circuit design, embedded systems, power electronics, robotics, and hardware-software integration. I have experience designing and testing circuits, working with sensors and motor drivers, building electrical schematics, and developing firmware for microcontroller-based systems.
Career Goals
I want to build a career in technology where I can work on real engineering systems that combine hardware, software, and intelligent automation. My interests are broad, but they center on electrical design, embedded systems, robotics, power systems, AI, and product development.
I'm looking for work where I can keep building, testing, debugging, and improving systems that solve practical problems and have real technical impact.
Experience
Co-Founder
Launched a student organization focused on AI entrepreneurship, embedded systems, and computer vision. Leading recruitment, coordinating faculty advisors, and preparing for hackathons and competitions (NASA Space Apps, Microsoft Imagine Cup, NVIDIA AI City Challenge, Y Combinator applications).
Co-Founder
Led the full product lifecycle of a secure hardware wallet for crypto gaming: a cold-storage device that lets players hold and move in-game assets without exposing their private keys. I owned the project end to end, from the secure-element hardware and embedded firmware to a companion app for real-time Solana and Ethereum transaction monitoring. I also pitched the venture to investors and secured early startup discussions.
Renewable Energy Intern
Supported solar PV and wind feasibility studies, including load estimation, system sizing, and LCOE analysis for renewable energy projects. Drafted preliminary electrical schematics in Autodesk EAGLE, reviewed grid-interconnection requirements, and used Python and Pandas to analyze generation and performance data, surfacing efficiency trends to guide project evaluation.
University Project Experience
Led multiple hardware–software integration projects as part of coursework and independent research. Built an autonomous minesweeper rover with stepper-motor motion control, inductive sensors, and an electromagnet pickup using the MSP430FR6989 microcontroller. Developed an OCR-based AI mail sorting machine that combined YOLO object detection, EasyOCR, and Jetson Nano GPU acceleration for real-time letter detection and sorting.
Selected Projects
Hardware-software systems across embedded electronics, computer vision, power, and AI.
Autonomous Minesweeper Rover
An autonomous retrieval system built on a linear rail with stepper-driven motion, inductive metal sensing, and an electromagnet pickup. Runs entirely in embedded C on the MSP430FR6989 with a focus on deterministic, real-time control.
OCR-Based AI Mail Sorting Machine
A hardware-accelerated mail sorter that reads handwritten addresses in real time. I trained two custom models for it: a YOLO model that detects and localizes the address text, and a fine-tuned LLaMA model that corrects misread words and cleans up the OCR output. Everything runs on an NVIDIA Jetson Orin, with post-processing designed for deterministic integration with motor control.
Smart 40V DC Protection & Monitoring System
A 40 V DC fault-detection and protection system that monitors for reverse polarity, over-voltage, and over-current in real time, automatically isolates and restores the load on fault, and shows live voltage, current, and status on an integrated display.
Wearable EMG Neural Interface
A wearable interface that translates muscle activity into control signals in real time. An FPGA handles signal processing while embedded CPUs run inference, designed for deterministic, reliable human-machine interaction. Built through Tech Innovation Labs.
Secure Cryptographic Monitoring System
Designed secure cryptographic systems in C++ and MATLAB to reduce key-exposure risk, with AWS-based real-time monitoring and Git-driven workflows to improve system reliability and transaction accuracy. Presented to VCs and senior tech leaders.
Senior Capstone Project
Senior design capstone integrating embedded hardware, AI, and power systems into a production-grade prototype. In development, expected to be completed by August 2026, with full write-up, media, and results to follow.
Technical Skills
Core competencies in electrical engineering, from circuit design to embedded programming and simulation tools.
Power Electronics
Embedded Systems
Design Tools
Programming
Core Expertise
Letters of Recommendation
References from professors and colleagues I've worked with.
Available upon request.