Transition from software to hardware ~ Career Advice

[u/Prentire97]

Hi everyone,

I’m a self-taught software developer with 10 years of experience who is looking for advice on how to move closer to working with hardware (I hope I am in the right place).

For my work, I’ve mostly been using Java, JavaScript/TypeScript, Rust, and SQL to build B2B SaaS apps. I also worked a bit with C++/C# for some side projects. I am originally from Germany but moved to the US a few years ago and plan on staying here long term.

I recently picked up a Raspberry Pi and started building my own mini-robot. I got really interested in the idea of transitioning my career to a field where I can combine coding with hands-on engineering. Some fields that have always been of particular interest to me are computer chips, robotics and anything related to aerospace.

I am uncertain how to proceed and whether I should keep going down the route I took for software development of self-teaching myself, which I presume is possible but seems harder than coding. The alternative I’ve considered is doing a remote bachelor's degree from an accredited university in Germany while working in the US, so I don’t need to take any substantial student loans since a degree costs roughly $2k there. The options I am considering are: - Electrical Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Computer Engineering

In parallel, I could teach the necessary C, C++, and Python skills myself, as I have done with the other coding languages.

I’d love to hear from anyone who has made a similar switch or has experience in these engineering fields. Looking forward to your advice!

[u/Teflonwest301]

I made a similar switch, the field that pivoted me well was Embedded Controls. I used a Raspberry Pi to implement mechanical controls on a haptic wheel with C code. Combined CS, EE, and ME very well in an intuitive way. Strangely enough, it landed me a job in the semiconductor industry, working on firmware.

I took the course through a course at a University in the USA, so it cannot be done remotely however. But if you have $2k to spend on education, there should be tutorials on doing similar things.

Largest bottle neck in hardware as always, are physical supplies. It needs to be an investment. The main reason why hardware is difficult to pivot is because universities have labs with equipment, but once you are out, you are on your own or get equipment through a company. Software is easy to pivot because anyone at anytime can change to it. All you need is a laptop.

[u/Prentire97 → u/Teflonwest301]

Thanks a lot for sharing your story, that’s very encouraging! May I ask what kind of course it was exactly that you took and how long that was? I am also open to taking an in-person course and investing into my education, I just wouldn’t want to take a $100k+ student loan at the moment. You have a good point about the accessibility of hardware and its components making an in-person learning experience easier.

Are you ultimately happy that you made the transition?

[u/Teflonwest301 → u/Prentire97]

The course I took was called “Embedded Controls” combining Embedded Systems with Control Theory. Basically think building a self-balancing robot on two wheels. The course was 4 months in-person.

Now that I think about it, building a self balancing robot on two wheels with an arduino or raspberry pi is an excellent project to transition from software to hardware. Should be kits and tutorials online, degree isn’t required. Use ChatGPT to explain the physics and differential equations behind the math of balancing (they are not too complicated) Parts are pretty much: - Microcontroller - Motors and wheels - Frame (kit should include this) - Battery pack - other stuff (h-bridge, whatever the tutorial wants) - jumper wires and breadboard

Cost should be less than $200, prob closer to $100. Even less if you order from AliExpress (but China quality)

Even more impressive if you stick a camera on it and implement some computer vision with Yolov8 and navigation on the robot.

I think hardware was an excellent decision for me, and I have mostly been shielded from the poor job market in other tech sectors.