Class III medical device · Startup

Wearable external defibrillator

Building the embedded hardware and real-time firmware foundation of a novel life-sustaining wearable device.

Situation

An early-stage company was creating a wearable Class III defibrillator and needed to establish the core product architecture, prove technical viability, and build a credible safety-critical development path.

The real obstacle

The work crossed board-level electronics, power and sensing, real-time behavior, therapeutic controls, system integration, verification strategy, and the practical constraints of a founding-stage engineering team.

My role

As a founding engineer, I architected the initial embedded hardware and firmware, delivered the working MVP, and provided hands-on technical leadership to early contributors.

Technical approach

The approach emphasized clear safety-critical behavior, disciplined interfaces, testability, early verification thinking, and close integration between electronics and real-time firmware.

Outcome and value

The working system demonstrated the platform’s technical viability, supported company financing, and contributed to patented wearable defibrillation technology.

Public descriptions are intentionally limited to non-confidential architecture, integration, and leadership patterns.
Related challenge?

Complex programs become tractable when the real interfaces and risks are visible.

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