About Me
Hey, I'm Francisco. I'm an Electrical and Computer Engineer who builds across hardware, software, manufacturing, testing, and mechanical systems.
I'm drawn to weird technical problems, especially the ones that do not fit neatly inside one discipline. Sometimes that means debugging electronics, designing a fixture, writing software, building a test system, reverse-engineering old equipment, improving a manufacturing process, or tracking down the root cause of a real-world failure.
Most recently, I worked at Unusual Machines, helping get BLDC motor production up and running for commercial drones. I worked on production tooling, automated motor validation, dynamometer testing, custom software, data acquisition, and manufacturing process development. The tools and processes I helped build supported a line that has produced over 40,000 motors and turned early production issues into repeatable workflows.
Before that, I worked in industrial motor repair, rebuilding and diagnosing electric motors, pumps, generators, and three-phase electromechanical systems. That gave me a strong foundation in how machines fail, how manufacturing decisions affect reliability, and why practical engineering matters when equipment has to survive real use.
I also run Open Source Electro, where I restore and modernize vintage cassette decks, test equipment, and other difficult-to-service electronics. That work often involves circuit troubleshooting, precision alignment, custom PCB design, 3D modeling, replacement part design, and documenting repairs so other people can keep their own equipment alive.
Outside of work, I build projects that mix electronics, mechanics, and software. One of those projects is RetroSpec CC9, a personal high-speed dual-channel digitizer with a custom analog front end, sub-mV measurement accuracy, ADC/DAC circuitry, and four custom PCBs. I've also worked on automotive retrofits, custom wiring, 3D-printed parts, fabrication, and motor-related development projects.
At the core, I like taking weird, messy, real-world technical problems and turning them into reliable systems, tools, processes, or products.
Contact: fcuesta@opensourceelectro.com