Miranda
Baltaxe

Motion Metrics Ltd. (Carv) · London, UK

• Designed and laid out PCB motherboards and daughterboards in KiCad, integrating IMUs, microcontrollers, ADCs, and peripheral components for prototype sensor devices.
• Developed custom firmware and low-level drivers enabling smart skis to track boot pressure distribution and motion — closing the hardware-to-data pipeline for balance-metric research feeding Carv's mobile app.
• Built a test device and firmware for coulomb counting to characterise battery performance and deliver more accurate state-of-charge estimation in production hardware.
• Performed full hardware bring-up, debugging, and verification using oscilloscopes, JTAG tools, and custom test protocols, ensuring reliable operation across multiple prototype revisions.
• Investigated warranty-returned devices, documented root causes, and proposed hardware and firmware improvements to increase long-term product reliability.
• Travel regularly to the contract manufacturer in China to oversee production processes, conduct hands-on troubleshooting on the line, and ensure hardware quality and assembly consistency meet specification.

NewHaptics · Ann Arbor, MI

• Prototyped a refreshable braille display with non-metal components for fMRI compatibility, integrating microcontrollers (ESP32) and custom actuator arrays; successfully deployed to Johns Hopkins researchers.
• Developed MATLAB/Python scripts for client research applications, enhancing hardware usability and adoption.
• Coordinated directly with clients to define requirements and delivered a packaged, production-ready device under tight deadlines.
• Incorporated blind user feedback into iterative design improvements; designed custom enclosures and precisely laser-cut fluidic chips for the actuation system, and documented all modifications for future development.

Arruda Lab · Ann Arbor, MI

• Designed and manufactured a modular imaging rig for ACL ligament research using SolidWorks and Form 3 SLA printing, iterating on prototypes through formal design reviews with the ME department chair.

ROAHM Lab · Ann Arbor, MI

• Researched hydraulically amplified self-healing electrostatic (HASEL) actuators for a soft robotic hand, gaining hands-on experience in novel actuation mechanisms and soft robotics integration.
• Designed actuators with systematically varying geometries and developed MATLAB analysis methods to characterise force output, deformation, and actuation performance across design parameters.
• Contributed findings to the team's understanding of actuator design trade-offs for use in compliant, human-safe robotic systems.

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Big Wheel Bikes · Arlington, VA

• Repaired hydraulic brakes, drivetrains, and electronic shifting systems on road, mountain, and e-bikes — applying systematic fault-finding and hands-on mechanical skills to real, customer-critical hardware.
• Assembled and tuned custom bike builds to spec, demonstrating comfort with precision mechanical work outside a lab setting.

General Motors · Romulus, MI

• Supported troubleshooting and process improvement on the High Feature V6 engine block line.

• Captain, University of Michigan Flywheel Ultimate (2019–2025): Managed operations for 50+ athletes and six coaches, including scheduling, training, recruiting, and executive board leadership.
• Regional Director, USA Ultimate - Great Lakes (2022–2023): Directed logistics, compliance, and competition management for DI/DIII sectional and regional tournaments.

University of Michigan — for NewHaptics fMRI-compatible braille display work.

University of Michigan, Computer Engineering.

Canada border → Key West, Florida. 3,000 miles. 77 days. Solo.