Arnold Kaki Kalala
Elsah,IL
Summary
Entry-Level Electrical Engineer with strong hands-on experience in hardware design, PCB development, digital and embedded systems. Background includes software-based CPU design, Verilog RTL development, battery management and sensor interfacing for an electric vehicle, and mixed-signal circuit design. Experienced in electrical system integration, power distribution, testing, and troubleshooting through applied projects and internships. Seeking hands-on experience building reliable electrical systems and learning from experienced engineers while applying theory to real-world design.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
Work History
Electrical Integration Engineer
PrinSolarCar (Student Engineering Project)
05.2025 - Current
- Designed and routed custom PCBs in Altium Designer for battery monitoring and CAN-based sensing systems using BQ34Z100-R2
- Performed schematic capture, layout, fabrication support, soldering, and board bring-up for 20+ boards.
- Integrated sensors, power distribution, and communication interfaces for a high-voltage electric vehicle.
- Conducted system-level debugging using oscilloscopes and logic analyzers to resolve noise, grounding, and communication issues.
- Analyzed component datasheets and application notes to ensure reliable mixed-signal and power design.
- Led hardware validation, documentation, and mentored junior team members.
Engineering Intern
Seniors Rising Homes
06.2024 - 08.2024
- Supported the design and development of prototype fall-detection devices by improving assembly workflows and test procedures, resulting in noticeably faster production cycles
- Conducted technical research and data analysis to support component selection and manufacturing decisions, contributing to a ~20% reduction in material and production costs
- Worked closely with senior engineers to refine sensor calibration and communication circuitry, improving overall system efficiency and reliability
- Participated in cross-functional design reviews and testing sessions, helping the team meet key prototype delivery milestones
- Tested and evaluated multiple hardware prototypes, identifying issues and providing feedback that improved motion-detection performance
- Documented engineering procedures, test results, and revisions, improving traceability and reducing verification errors by ~40% across development cycles
Physics Lab Assistant Manager
Principia College
01.2023 - 05.2023
- Calibrated and maintained laboratory instrumentation, achieving measurement accuracy within ±2%, improving experimental reliability and research outcomes
- Managed inventory, procurement, and equipment maintenance for multiple labs, reducing operational costs by ~25% through efficient sourcing and asset management
- Developed clear technical documentation and setup procedures that simplified equipment configuration and troubleshooting for students and faculty
- Verified diagnostics and instrumentation performance for critical experiments, ensuring consistent data quality across lab sessions
- Coordinated laboratory schedules and activities to improve workflow efficiency while maintaining strict safety compliance
- Facilitated cross-departmental laboratory initiatives, supporting a ~20% increase in collaborative research and student-led experimentation
Education
Bachelor of Science - Engineering Science & Mathematics
Principia College
Elsah, IL05-2026
Bachelor of Science - Electrical Engineering
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND05-2026
Skills
- Schematic capture, PCB layout, power distribution, grounding
- Component selection, datasheet analysis, board bring-up
- Altium Designer, basic signal integrity and power integrity concepts
- Verilog, VHDL, RTL design, FSMs, datapath and control logic
- CPU and ALU architecture, fault-tolerant digital design
- Simulation, synthesis, and timing analysis (Vivado, ModelSim)
- C/C, Python
- Microcontroller-based systems, sensor interfacing
- Communication protocols: SPI, I2C, UART, CAN
- MATLAB, Simulink, LTspice, PSIM
- Mixed-signal circuit simulation and system-level modeling
- Oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, multimeters
- Board-level troubleshooting, validation, and documentation
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Affiliations
- Principia College Solar Car Team
- University of North Dakota - Electrical Engineering Program
- Principia College - Engineering Department
Languages
French
Native or Bilingual
English
Full Professional
Timeline
Electrical Integration Engineer
PrinSolarCar (Student Engineering Project)
05.2025 - Current
Engineering Intern
Seniors Rising Homes
06.2024 - 08.2024
Physics Lab Assistant Manager
Principia College
01.2023 - 05.2023
Bachelor of Science - Engineering Science & Mathematics
Principia College
Bachelor of Science - Electrical Engineering
University of North Dakota