X: 0.0 Y: 0.0
W: 100% H: 100vh
Available for Opportunities

AARON VIDAL

Design Engineer | Embedded Electronics | Space Hardware

Design Engineer bridging embedded electronics and human-computer interaction. Currently pursuing MSc Design Engineering at Imperial College London. Previously worked on space hardware at Airbus, contributing to the ExoMars Rover project while completing a BEng in Electronic Engineering with First Class Honours. Passionate about creating innovative hardware and interactive experiences that push the boundaries of technology providing avenues for STEM engagement.

Explore Work
Z: 1
Scale: 1:1
01

Selected Projects

ExoMars Rover
Airbus Space

🚀
Completed

Integrated Breadboard Team for ESA's ExoMars Rover. Reverse engineered legacy firmware, designed hardware interfaces, and developed C firmware for STM32 microcontroller with over-the-air update capabilities. Collaborated with PhD researchers on CLUPI camera implementation.

C/C++ STM32 ROS 2 Fusion 360

Satellite Modems
Airbus Space

📡
Completed

Hardware Responsible Engineer for satellite modem design and verification. Implemented RF waveform testing simulator, led additive manufacturing campaigns, and transitioned from proprietary to open-source FPGA JTAG tooling (saving £20k). Conducted EMC compliance testing and hardware validation.

RF Engineering FPGA Hardware Test EMC

Generative Reasoning for IoT
Honours Thesis

🔬
Completed

BEng Honours Thesis exploring generative AI and reasoning systems applied to Internet of Things devices. Research combining embedded systems, machine learning, and edge computing to enable intelligent decision-making in resource-constrained environments. GRiOT is named after figures in West African culture known as storytellers and knowledge keepers.

IoT AI/ML Research Embedded

STEM Outreach
Imperial College London

🎓
Active

Outreach STEM Leader at Imperial College London Makerspace. Teaching Design Theory, Electronics, Soldering, and Laser Cutting to students. Mentoring graduates and leading open-making sessions. Won first place at Imperial College Maker Challenge 2019.

Teaching Mentoring Electronics Design

Augmented Reality
Snapchat Lens Studio

📱
2M+ Users

AR development in Snapchat Lens Studio creating interactive lenses and filters. Combined creative design with technical implementation, reaching over 2 million users through engaging augmented reality experiences.

Lens Studio AR/VR 3D Modeling Interactive

Freelance Design
CAD & Product Animation

🎨
Active

Freelance work in CAD, product animation, graphic design, video editing, and architectural visualization with VR. Notable collaboration with the Dominican Embassy. Specializing in Fusion 360, Blender, Photoshop, and Illustrator.

Fusion 360 Blender Photoshop VR
02

Skills & Experience

Experience
Hardware Responsible Engineer
Airbus - Proteus Modem
2021 - 2025
  • Design, development and verification of Satellite Modems
  • Implemented RF waveform testing simulator, demonstrated to ESA
  • Led transition to open-source FPGA JTAG tooling, saving £20k
  • EMC compliance testing and hardware validation
Integrated Breadboard Team
Airbus - ExoMars Rover
2021 - 2025
  • Reverse engineered firmware and built hardware for integrated breadboard
  • Developed C firmware for STM32 with over-the-air updates (80% faster)
  • Designed command/telemetry API for ROS 2 integration
  • Collaborated with PhD researchers on CLUPI camera implementation
Outreach STEM Leader
Imperial College Makerspace
Dec 2024 - Present
  • Teaching Design Theory, Electronics, Soldering, Laser Cutting
  • Mentoring students and leading open-making sessions
Freelance Designer
Independent
May 2019 - Present
  • CAD, Product Animation, Graphic Design, Video Editing
  • Architectural Visualization with VR
  • Collaboration with the Dominican Embassy
  • AR development reaching 2M+ users on Snapchat
Technical Skills

Embedded & Firmware

  • STM32, ESP32, Raspberry Pi
  • NVIDIA Jetson, MEMS
  • C/C++ Firmware Development
  • UART, SPI, I2C, I2S
  • PlatformIO, VS Code, Git

Electronics & Fabrication

  • KiCad - Schematic & PCB Layout
  • Power and EMC practice
  • DFM/DFA principles
  • Additive Manufacturing
  • Hardware Integration & Test

Design & Communication

  • Fusion 360, Blender
  • Photoshop, Illustrator
  • Technical Writing
  • Presenting & Mentoring
  • STEM Outreach

Development & Tools

  • Python, Linux/Unix
  • ROS 2 (Robot Operating System)
  • FPGA & JTAG Tools
  • RF & Satellite Communications
  • AR/VR (Lens Studio)
Education
MSc Design Engineering
Imperial College London
2025 - 2026
  • Advanced degree in Design Engineering
  • Focus on bridging embedded electronics and HCI
BEng (Hons) Electronic Engineering
Southampton Solent University
2021 - 2024
  • First Class with Honours
  • 4-year course completed in 3 years while working at Airbus
  • Thesis: Generative Reasoning for Internet of Things (GRiOT)
  • Level 6 Apprentice Qualification in Embedded Electronic Systems
Key Achievements
  • First place at Imperial College Maker Challenge 2019
  • Commended for oral presentation skills
03

Get in Touch

Interested in working together or just want to say hello? Feel free to reach out through any of these channels.