Ahmed Alhakem

From: Walnut Creek, CASchool: University of California, BerkeleyProgram: B.S. Electrical Engineering and Computer ScienceGPA: 3.65

Why I fit this role

  • Pursuing Electrical Engineering & Computer Science at UC Berkeley with strong foundations in systems, data, and ML coursework-well aligned with NVIDIA’s enterprise AI, data center, and cloud ecosystem
  • Built data visualization tools for semiconductor competitive analysis-understands market positioning, trade-offs, and product strategy
  • Led embedded systems project (CalSol CAN testbench) managing hardware/software integration across 20+ boards-comfortable with technical complexity and cross-functional coordination
  • Teaching/leadership experience (CS61A staff for 600+ students, founded Computer Coaching Club)-strong communication and documentation skills
  • Familiar with Git, Python, cloud tools (Supabase, Cloudflare), and data tooling-ready for enterprise workflows; ready for agent infrastructure

Proof in 60 seconds

3 Enterprise Dashboards
Data Agent Systems
Built interactive Python (Dash) dashboards comparing semiconductor material performance trade-offs, directly informing product strategy and market positioning
5+ Printed Circuit Boards
Embedded Platform Systems
Designed and shipped multiple custom PCBs and a CAN-based embedded platform enabling unified programming and communication across heterogeneous hardware
650+ Hardware & CS students
Developer Enablement
Taught aspiring engineers through my time at CS61A's Course Staff, founding the Computer Coaching Club, and creating an open-sourced CalSol onboarding labs
Valuable Coursework
ML, Systems, & Hardware
ML (CS 189), databases (CS 186), computer architecture (CS 61C), core computer science (CS 61A/B, CS 70), and fundamental signals, devices, & circuits (ELENG 105, EECS 16A/B)

Experience

Electrical Subteam ESP32 PCB/CAN Testbench Project Lead

UC Berkeley Solar Vehicle Team, CalSolJan 2025–Present
  • Led a team to research and develop 3 custom PCBs (including an ESP32 Dev Board, LPC1549 Dev Board, and a CAN Transceiver board), to equip all other CalSol boards (20+ PCBs) with the functionalities of being programmed through a microcontroller, and communicating information across other PCBs with different microprocessor types through CAN Bus.
  • Read different data sheets, created a bill of materials (BOM), and tested ideas on LTSpice to design schematics and layouts for these PCBs on KiCAD, before soldering/assembling them then writing their firmware in C/C++ through PlatformIO.
  • Mechanically engineered a testbench to simulate how boards would operate with others through communication with CAN.

Remote Software Engineering Intern - Semiconductor Research

Vision IV (Berkeley SkyDeck)May 2025–Aug 2025
  • Developed 3 separate interactive data visualization tools using Python (Dash) that visualize and compare Vision IV's boron doped diamond semiconductors against Si, GaN, GaAs, SiC, and different diamond dopants (PDD, NDD, HPHT, CVD, etc.), highlighting strengths of BDD devices and enabling Vision IV to assess competitive advantages and market positioning.
  • Researched and integrated data on material properties and device metrics to model semiconductor trade-offs (e.g., radiation hardness, thermal conductivity, breakdown voltage), improving R&D decision-making and guiding product strategy.

COMPSCI 61A Course Staff - Academic Intern

UC Berkeley EECSJan 2025–May 2025
  • Delivered academic support to 600+ students in UC Berkeley's largest and most popular computer science course, teaching students programming ideas by utilizing advanced instructional techniques in computer science such as the socratic method.
  • Debugged students' code and helped them make design choices to improve the performance and readability of their program.
  • Facilitated weekly lab sections and office hours to teach CS61A topics (abstraction, data structures, recursion, etc. in Python).

Electrical Subteam Hardware Lab Design Lead

UC Berkeley Solar Vehicle Team, CalSolDec 2024–Jan 2025
  • Held office hours and led the design and development of an open sourced onboarding hardware lab that teaches 50+ new and returning members how to create efficient PCBs for electric vehicles and other necessary electrical engineering concepts.
  • Created a BOM and schematic & layout on KiCAD for a PCB that all members will have to create with the help of the lab which contains a motor that can be controlled through a potentiometer and 555 timer for pulse-width modulation.

Electrical Subteam E-Load Project Team Member

UC Berkeley Solar Vehicle Team, CalSolAug 2024–Dec 2024
  • Researched and developed a custom E-Load circuit board in order to achieve efficient and controlled drainage of the solar vehicle's custom 6kWH/143V battery, improving power management and extending battery lifespan by over 15%.
  • Utilized LTspice and KiCAD to test ideas, create a BOM, and design a schematic and layout of the PCB for this system that allows for the capability of controlling the voltage across the resistive load in order to control power and heat dissipation.

Instructor

Mathnasium - The Math Learning CenterOct 2022–Aug 2024
  • Provided individualized math instruction to 10+ K-12 students per hour in order to improve study habits and foundational understanding in all areas of math, including algebra, geometry, and calculus, increasing test scores by over 20% on average.
  • Organized and corrected students' worksheets/binders and regularly communicated with parents about their child's progress.

President and Founder

Computer Coaching ClubAug 2022–May 2024
  • Using Raspberry Pi 400 kits, taught groups of 10+ students how to code numerous algorithms in Scratch and Java and the basics of binary representation, calculating bits/bytes, and transistors in computer hardware through biweekly presentations.
  • Managed logistics, establishing an official partnership with the Ygnacio Valley Library, developing an educational yet appealing curriculum for young students, building a team by recruiting/training volunteers, and advertising on social media.

Web Developer

Northgate High School AthleticsJan 2023–May 2023
  • Coded and designed websites for Northgate High School's athletics using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
  • The website was for the Boys Tennis Team 2023 Season and was sent to 40+ teammates and families to help them keep track of the schedule and upcoming games, consistently making sure that the website is up to date after each event.

Team Member

Robotics Competition Team 674AJyn 2021–Jan 2022
  • Worked for 7+ months to create a robot for a VEX Robotics Competition, earning 4th place out of 32 schools (semifinalists).
  • In a team of 8 students, I wrote code in C++, wired electronics, cut/welded sheets of metal, and screwed materials together.

Projects

CAN Testbench Projects / PCBs (ESP32 Dev Board, LTC Dev Board, CAN Transceiver, Testbench)

Problem: CalSol required a standardized way for 20+ heterogeneous PCBs to be programmed and communicate reliably over CAN bus
Build: Led a team to research and develop 3 custom PCBs (ESP32 Dev Board, LTC Dev Board, CAN Transceiver). Read datasheets, created BOMs, tested designs in LTSpice, designed schematics/layouts in KiCAD, soldered/assembled boards, and wrote firmware in C/C++ using PlatformIO. Mechanically engineered a CAN testbench to simulate real board-to-board communication
Impact: Enabled unified programming and CAN communication across all CalSol boards, improving system integration and testability at vehicle scale
KiCADLTSpicePCB DesignCAN BusESP32C/C++PlatformIOEmbedded SystemsFirmware

Semiconductor Competitive Analysis Dashboard

Problem: Vision IV needed a clear, data-driven way to compare boron-doped diamond semiconductors against incumbent materials
Build: Developed 3 interactive Python (Dash) data visualization tools comparing boron-doped diamond devices against Si, GaN, GaAs, SiC, and multiple diamond dopants (PDD, NDD, HPHT, CVD). Researched and integrated material properties and device metrics to model semiconductor trade-offs
Impact: Highlighted competitive advantages of BDD devices and directly informed R&D decision-making and product market positioning
PythonDashData VisualizationMaterial ScienceSemiconductor Analysis

Bluetooth Controlled Vehicle - UC Berkeley Jacobs Spring 2025 Design Showcase

Problem: Design and build a mechanically and electrically integrated vehicle controlled wirelessly over Bluetooth
Build: CADed, laser cut, and 3D printed vehicle components using SOLIDWORKS. Soldered and wrote C++ firmware for a Romeo BLE microcontroller powering two servo motors. Designed and fabricated a custom 1:4 gear ratio to increase torque output
Impact: Delivered a fully functional Bluetooth-controlled vehicle showcased at UC Berkeley’s Spring 2025 Design Showcase
SOLIDWORKSC++MicrocontrollersFirmware3D PrintingLaser CuttingMechanical Design

CalSol Open-Sourced Onboarding Hardware Lab

Problem: New CalSol members lacked a structured, hands-on way to learn PCB design and core electrical engineering concepts
Build: Led design and development of an open-sourced onboarding hardware lab. Created BOM, schematics, and PCB layouts in KiCAD for a motor control board using a potentiometer and 555 timer for PWM. Held office hours and guided 50+ members through the lab
Impact: Standardized electrical onboarding for CalSol and enabled new members to design efficient PCBs with confidence
KiCADPCB DesignLTSpiceMicrocontrollersPWMPedagogyOpen Source

Custom E-Load Circuit Board

Problem: Solar vehicle required safe, controlled discharge of a 6kWh / 143V battery to improve power management and longevity
Build: Researched and developed a custom electronic load PCB. Used LTSpice and KiCAD to design schematics and layouts enabling PWM-controlled voltage, current, power, and heat dissipation. Created BOM and soldered/assembled the board
Impact: Improved battery power management and extended battery lifespan by over 15%
KiCADLTSpicePCB DesignPWMPower ElectronicsEmbedded Systems

Eagle Scout Service Project

Problem: Northgate High School Marching Band lacked adequate uniform storage
Build: Designed, planned, and led construction of two uniform cabinets. Created 3D models in SketchUp, managed budget and BOM, sourced materials, enforced safety procedures, and led volunteers through fabrication
Impact: Delivered long-term infrastructure for the band while leading 100+ hours of service and volunteer coordination
SketchUp3D ModelingProject ManagementBudgetingLeadershipFabrication

Northgate High School Boys Tennis Team 2023 Season Website

Problem: Team needed a centralized, easy-to-update way to share schedules and match information
Build: Designed and coded a website using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Maintained and updated content throughout the season
Impact: Improved communication and scheduling visibility for 40+ teammates and families
HTMLCSSJavaScriptWeb DevelopmentFrontend

VEX Robotics Competition Robot

Problem: Design and build a competitive robot for the VEX Robotics Competition
Build: Worked for 7+ months on a team of 8 to design, wire, fabricate, and program a robot. Wrote C++ code, wired electronics, and performed mechanical fabrication
Impact: Reached semifinals and placed 4th out of 32 schools
C++RoboticsEmbedded SystemsElectrical WiringMechanical Fabrication