PORTFOLIO // RÉSUMÉ
CHRIS AOUATE
INDUSTRIAL LEADER · CNC MECHANIC · BMW SPECIALIST · EMBEDDED ENGINEER
From engine rebuilds to ESP32 firmware - 13+ years building teams, diagnosing machines, and engineering the systems that keep everything running. Equally at home under a hood, inside a CNC, or behind a terminal. Co-founder of BrenduhNet.
13+
YEARS IN THE FIELD
16
TECHNICIANS LED
6
STATES DEPLOYED
65TB
INFRASTRUCTURE
01 // EXPERTISE
Core Competencies
INDUSTRIAL CONTROLS
PLC Programming & Diagnostics
VFD & Motor Controls
Pneumatic & Hydraulic Systems
Industrial Automation
VFD & Motor Controls
Pneumatic & Hydraulic Systems
Industrial Automation
CNC & MACHINING
CNC Repair & Maintenance
Multi-Axis Platform Diagnostics
Servo & Spindle Drive Repair
Kennametal AFM Systems
Multi-Axis Platform Diagnostics
Servo & Spindle Drive Repair
Kennametal AFM Systems
ELECTRONICS
Board-Level Diagnostics
Microsoldering & BGA
SR Drives Motor Controls
Component-Level Repair
Microsoldering & BGA
SR Drives Motor Controls
Component-Level Repair
AUTOMOTIVE
BMW Repair & Diagnostics
Engine Rebuilds
Vehicle Electrical Systems
ECU/DME Programming
CAN · K-CAN · MOST Fiber
Engine Rebuilds
Vehicle Electrical Systems
ECU/DME Programming
CAN · K-CAN · MOST Fiber
EMBEDDED & SOFTWARE
ESP32 / C++ Firmware
LVGL Graphics
WiFi · LoRa · BLE · MQTT
Android (Kotlin)
LVGL Graphics
WiFi · LoRa · BLE · MQTT
Android (Kotlin)
INFRASTRUCTURE
Linux Server Administration
Docker & Containerization
Network Architecture & DNS
GitLab · Pi-hole · NFS
Docker & Containerization
Network Architecture & DNS
GitLab · Pi-hole · NFS
LEADERSHIP
Team Building (16 direct)
Multi-State Operations
Training Program Design
Cross-Dept Coordination
Multi-State Operations
Training Program Design
Cross-Dept Coordination
ENGINEERING
Safety System Design
CMMS Implementation
3D Printing & CAD
Custom Fabrication
CMMS Implementation
3D Printing & CAD
Custom Fabrication
02 // CAREER
Professional Timeline
2024 - NOW
Trillium Flow Technologies
Lead Industrial Maintenance Mechanic
Leading maintenance for a precision manufacturing facility. Primary resource for advanced electronics diagnostics, CNC repair, and custom engineering solutions.
- Direct daily operations across CNC machining, fabrication, paint, blast, and assembly departments
- Board-level electronics repair on PLCs, VFDs, and CNC systems - sole capability on the team
- Designed ESP32 Lone Worker Safety System with countdown timers, alarms, and escalation protocols
- Engineered pump test lab safety alert system with real-time embedded monitoring
- Spearheaded CMMS platform implementation for work orders and preventive maintenance
- Diagnose SR Drives, Kennametal AFM, multi-axis CNC - cutting OEM dependency
2013 - 2024
Leslie's Pool Supplies
Sales Associate → Lead Sales → Lead Service Technician
11-year rise from entry-level to leading 16 technicians across 6 states. Known as the go-to for turning around struggling operations.
- Managed 16 technicians across CA, NV, TX, IN, KS, and KY
- Deployed out-of-state to rebuild underperforming markets on month-long assignments
- Built reputation generating unsolicited requests from managers in new states
- Designed standardized training programs that reduced escalations
2014 - 2020
MicroNet Computers
Repair Technician & Structured Cabling
Component-level board repair and commercial network infrastructure - the foundation for industrial diagnostics mastery.
- Microsoldering and BGA-level board repair on computers and mobile devices
- Commercial structured cabling: planning, routing, termination, certification
- Built foundational network architecture and server administration skills
03 // BUILDS
Projects & Engineering
CO-FOUNDER
BrenduhNet / CarPotato
Modular ESP32 vehicle control system. 200+ expandable relay channels, multi-protocol comms (BLE, WiFi, LoRa, cellular), GPS geofencing, Dog Mode, Android Auto, and companion app. Full web platform, REST API, and Android dev portal.
ESP32 · C++ · PlatformIO · Kotlin · PHP · LoRa · BLE
SAFETY CRITICAL
Lone Worker Safety System
Custom ESP32 monitoring for enclosed industrial booths. Countdown timers, audible/visual alarms, multi-stage escalation protocols for isolated operators in blast and paint operations.
ESP32 · C++ · Industrial I/O · Alert Systems
AUTOMOTIVE
BMW Specialist & Auto Repair
Full-spectrum automotive: engine rebuilds, mechanical repair, advanced BMW diagnostics, ECU bench programming. CAN bus, K-CAN, MOST fiber, module coding. Custom performance and cosmetic vehicle modifications.
ISTA · NCS Expert · E-SYS · CAN · MOST · OBD-II
HARDWARE
Custom Circuit Boards
Design and fabrication of custom PCBs for embedded projects. Schematic design, component selection, layout routing, and assembly. From prototype breakout boards to purpose-built control systems.
KiCad · PCB Design · SMD Assembly · Through-Hole
MAKER
3D Printing & Fabrication
CAD design and additive manufacturing for custom enclosures, brackets, mounts, and functional parts. Prototyping for automotive, consumer, and industrial applications. Integration of printed parts with electronics.
CAD · FDM Printing · Fusion 360 · Functional Prototyping
HARDWARE HACKING
Console Mods & Hardware Hacking
Gaming console hardware modifications - modchips, custom firmware, NAND/NOR flash programming, HDMI mods, controller mods. Component-level soldering on production hardware with zero tolerance for error.
Soldering · Flash Programming · JTAG · UART · Modchips
ROBOTICS
Robotics & Automation
Building custom robotic systems combining mechanical design, motor control, sensor integration, and microcontroller programming. From line followers to articulated arm projects.
ESP32 · Servos · Stepper Motors · Sensors · C++
INFRASTRUCTURE
Home Server Lab
Production Ubuntu server (Dell 5820, i9, 64GB, 65TB) running Docker: GitLab CE, media services, Pi-hole DNS, file vault, reverse proxy with auto-SSL.
Ubuntu · Docker · GitLab · Caddy · Pi-hole
AUTOMOTIVE
Car Mods & Custom Builds
Performance and aesthetic vehicle modifications. Custom lighting, audio installations, turbo/supercharger setups, suspension, ECU tuning, wiring harnesses, and fabrication of one-off parts for builds that don't come off a shelf.
Wiring · Fabrication · Tuning · 12V Systems · CAN Bus
04 // CREDENTIALS
Certifications & Education
DTSC Hazardous Waste
Dept. of Toxic Substances Control
DOT HAZMAT 49 CFR
Dept. of Transportation
Forklift Operator & Trainer
OSHA Compliant
MEWP Operator & Trainer
OSHA Compliant
Leadership & PM
In Progress
IT Support Certificate
Clovis Community College
05 // CONNECT