William Nicholson

Engineering Leader | Hardware, Firmware, Software Engineer | People Leader | Technology Startups

Waukesha, Wisconsin, United States

About

I am an Entrepreneur, Electrical / Software Engineer and Engineering Manager. Accomplishments include: * Successfully built and managed multiple engineering teams from 2 to 20 people. * Manage hardware, cloud and desktop software, firmware, mechanical packaging, PCB layout, quality, testing and outside vendors. * Managed remote, in person and international technical teams. * Built and sold a technology startup with over $5,000,000 in sales. * Lead cybersecurity plan for Information Technology ( IT ). * Lead technology direction and company roadmaps. * Introduced new technology processes: Agile, Kanban boards, Wrike project management. * Secured Intellectual property / source code with several patents awarded in hardware, software and AI.

Experience

  • Director - Embedded technology | Software / Electrical Engineer at Noteworthy AI
    Jan 2022 - Present · 4 yrs 6 mos

    Software / Systems Hardware engineer working at ML / AI startup in the utility industry C++ and Python development for embedded Linux. * Responsible for all in vehicle device hardware and software for machine learning ( ML) and (AI) detection and analysis of utility poles. * Provide in vehicle hardware and support using NVIDIA AGX Xavier, Orin and NX Jetson CPUs with embedded Linux using Nvidia JetPacks. * Provide vehicle integration, battery management, hardware and cabling of embedded devices. * Investigation, design and selection of Cameras, CPU, GPS and mounting hardware

  • Engineering Manager / Startup Founder at TechNich Solutions
    Oct 2009 - Jan 2023 · 13 yrs 4 mos

    * Lead and implemented hardware and firmware for microcontroller products. * Developed and patented self learning / artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm for vehicles. * Brought to market innovative products in the automotive and outdoor spaces. * Designed CAN, OBDII, vehicle telematics, WIFI ( early IOT), * SAE J3005, ISO 15765, M2M cellular, and embedded product(s). * Designed electronic outdoor gardening product(s) for use in harsh environmental conditions. * Lead marketing and sales using Office 365, Dreamweaver / HTML/ CSS, Linkedin, Kickstarter Google and Facebook advertising, Shopify, Youtube. * Was able to launch startup on a shoestring budget.

  • Senior Engineering Manager at Dynamic Ratings (Monitoring for Utility Substations and Transformers)
    Mar 2016 - Oct 2021 · 5 yrs 8 mos

    * Managed international, on site and remote team with increased productivity during COVID. * Responsible for hardware, embedded products, packaging, firmware, Linux software, cloud / PC software, documentation, quality and test, IT. * Maintained large legacy product group with large technical debt while still producing new products. * Established processes for orderly, documented, version controlled, quality releases of products and software. * Managed hardware / software / firmware architecture and technology road maps. * Technologies managed include bare metal development, Linux development, .Net and java script development, APIs, databases, big data collection, microcontrollers, Wrike project management, Kanban, Agile development, 61850, Modbus and DNP protocols, ST micros

  • Manager / Electrical Engineer at Autologic
    Aug 2006 - Oct 2009 · 3 yrs 3 mos

    Responsible for executive management after the founding and subsequent sale of the company. Specialized in providing technology product direction, business development leadership, internet sales,marketing, and manufacturing products. Successfully combined electrical/software engineering background with effective interpersonal communications skills to introduce new products and technologies. Building and retaining a close team of highly competent professionals at Autologic is the accomplishment I am most proud of. * Lead the introduction of new technologies for vehicle diagnostics and vehicle inspections programs. These included OBDII, CAN, J1850, J1978, J1979, ISO15765, ISO 9141, Wireless technology ( Zigbee, bluetooth, etc ), touch screens, PDAs, Kiosks, language translation, J1708, etc. * Introduced paid per click advertising, internet shopping site and email marketing campaign. * Introduced several new business lines including Drivers License Testing, Wireless vehicle communications, Etc. * Experienced in many US state and international business development and implementation projects in vehicle diagnostics, safety inspections, emissions inspections, etc. * Successfully managed customer and vendor relationships including contract negotiations to optimize profits while building long term cooperation through team work and integrity.

  • Manager / Cofounder / Electrical Engineer at AutoLogic
    Jan 1996 - Aug 2006 · 10 yrs 8 mos

    I cofounded the company in 1996 and Autologic became a technology leader in the Automotive Diagnostic and Vehicle Inspection industries. We sold the company to Applus Technologies in August 2006. My responsibilities included managing business development, sales, product direction, cash flow, manufacturing / operations, brand development, contracts and OEM sales. Our business included many aspects of vehicle inspection and I was able to gain knowledge in many areas including internet products, internet advertising, web sites, and all areas of product development. Probably the single most important achievment was to keep the business growing with no need for external credit or financing. Our products included international retail and OEM sales of gas analyzers, smoke meters, OBD equipment, business management software, etc . Our long term customers included many of the industry leading vehicle emissions and safety inspection companies along with some great vehicle diagnostic companies. PC, Pocket PC, and electronic / software products were distributed world wide including South America, China, Europe, US and Canada. We worked in various capacities on many US vehicle inspection programs including New York, Indiana, New Hampshire, California, Illinois, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Texas, California, etc