Eric Kwedar
Mechatronic & Communication Systems Engineer
Product strategy, cross-functional leadership, and technical systems engineering โ from concept to lab to field deployment.
โก CORE COMPETENCIES
๐ผ PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Wind and Wireless | Founder & Product Lead
Wind and Wireless researches the intersection of aviation and communications technology, then translates those findings into technical documentation and presented in both website and โZineโ format. A product development engine that deploys AI, robotics, avionics, network systems, and RFโfrom concept to lab to field.
Product Leadership:
- Own the full product lifecycle: research โ technical documentation โ publishing โ community engagement
- Define product direction across two integrated tracks (technical research and creative publishing)
- Manage the intersection of hardware, software, and content as a unified product ecosystem
Technical Product Scope:
- UAV hardware platforms: Flying wing, Prop/EDF jets, Multi-rotors
- Video systems: Analog FPV (Runcam, FoxEER, Speedybee, TBS) to Digital (Walksnail)
- Software platforms: Betaflight, INAV
- Field survey and deployment of robotic, avionic, network, and RF systems
- Website UX/UI as product interface
AI Integration (Applied):
- Prompt engineering and AI workflow design for research acceleration
- LLM integration (ChatGPT, etc) as product tools
Calix | Sr. Community Moderation Manager
Product-adjacent leadership: Oversaw moderation operations in the Calix Community, a direct channel to customer voice and product feedback.
Key Outcomes:
- Monitored and amplified the voice of the customer for internal product teams
- Identified community-driven insights that informed product priorities
- Bridged gap between customer experience and engineering
Calix | Community Moderator
- Technical moderation across wireless, networking, VoIP, GPON, and telecommunications
- Translated customer issues into actionable engineering tickets
- Drove growth and engagement
Calix | Senior System Engineer
Systems engineering for fiber optic networks. Direct customer-facing role with product feedback implications.
Key Outcomes:
- Remote debug and troubleshooting across deployed systems
- Domestic and international travel to ramp customer deployments
- Direct feedback loop from field to product engineering
Leidos | Mechatronics System Engineer
Mechanical/mechatronics engineer for Marine Operations Division. Built systems that connected human operators, cable equipment, and ship systems for submarine fiber optic cable deployment.
- Designed communication integrations across disparate systems
- Worked at the intersection of mechanical design, electronics, and operator experience
- Field-deployed solutions on maritime operations
USFS (USDA Forest Service) | Wildlife Technician
Field operations in remote, high-elevation environments. Navigated without trails using ArcGIS, compass, and GPS. Conducted nighttime Spotted Owl surveys in 2-person teams.
Pens Plus Inc (PPI) | Warehouse Logistics
Inventory management and supply chain logistics. Managed seasonality in warehouse operations.
๐ International Projects & Field Experience
Cross-cultural engineering deployments and global collaboration across 4 continents.
๐ Certifications & Professional Recognition
USDA Forest Service โ 2009 ยท Recognition of cross functional teawork.
Technician Class, Call sign assigned โ 2009 ยท Proficient in emergency comms, RF theory.
NTT Workforce Development Institute โ 2012 ยท Advanced industrial hydraulics certification.
Calix E7 GPON / AE / Copper Integration โ 2014
Calix Network Fundamentals (Access & Transport) โ 2014
Calix AXOS Platform Configuration & Troubleshooting - 2019
Recognized for leadership during a project in Poland โ 2019