Development Services
I develop software, electronic circuits, custom PCBs, embedded firmware and connected-device designs, from working proofs of concept to improvements to existing systems. I investigate faults, build features and deploy changes in the environments agreed for your project, including live systems.
For now, I provide software, circuit and PCB design files, embedded firmware and documentation. I do not currently supply physical boards, kits or assembled devices.
How I can help
Get practical help with decisions through Technical Advice, or hands-on delivery through Flexible Engineering. If you are unsure where to start, book a free scoping call.
Free Scoping Call
Not sure which option fits? Book a quick, informal conversation to talk through your software or electronics project ideas. I'll help you clarify next steps and point you in the right direction — even if I'm not the right fit.
Technical Advice
Get practical technical advice on your idea, existing system or engineering problem. I can help you explore options, assess risks and decide your next steps across software, embedded systems and prototype electronics.
Flexible Engineering
Get hands-on help developing software, electronic circuits, PCB designs and embedded firmware, or investigating, improving and deploying existing systems, with a spending cap agreed before work starts.
Small software jobs and practical automation
For a small, well-defined job — a report that needs fixing, a spreadsheet that should run itself, or a data conversion — this is the most direct route in.
Small Business Software & Automation
Practical help with report and spreadsheet fixes, small scripts, data conversion and business-application troubleshooting. Booked as agreed hourly work, with a spending cap agreed before anything starts.
I agree the work and charges with you before paid work starts. Read the General FAQ for more about working with me, or see how Protoworks helps your business for typical scenarios. For clearly defined work, I can also discuss an individually agreed fixed-price project.
Confidentiality and NDAs
I am happy to sign reasonable confidentiality agreements. Read the NDA & Confidentiality Guidelines to understand the terms I will generally accept. Read guidelines →
You can also download my Mutual NDA (v1.6, PDF) to review before sharing confidential project details.
Typical Projects
Technical Advice can help you assess feasibility, plan a software build, scope a connected device or decide how to modernise an existing system. Flexible Engineering covers practical work such as:
- ✓Custom control-panel designs and software operator interfaces
- ✓Embedded firmware for STM32, ESP32, RP2040, and Raspberry Pi based systems
- ✓Prototype PCB and interface-board designs
- ✓RS485, serial, sensor, and data acquisition systems
- ✓Internal business tools, dashboards, and workflow automation
- ✓Legacy-system investigations, improvements and modernisation
- ✓Technical proof-of-concept builds before full production
Electronics Design & Prototyping Services
I design and test prototype electronic circuits and printed circuit boards (PCBs), and develop the embedded firmware that controls them. This includes sensors, interfaces, control systems and connected devices.
Capabilities & Focus
🛠️ PCB Layout & Design
Designing robust 4-layer stackups with solid ground plane foundations to minimize layout noise and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) issues during early-stage validation.
💻 Firmware Development
Writing structured, deterministic bare-metal or RTOS firmware for common architectures including ESP32, STM32, and RP2040, prioritizing reliability and efficient resource usage.
🔗 Systems Integration
Prototyping connections between sensors, devices, test services and dashboards to evaluate data flows and control approaches in an agreed test environment.
🔬 Bench Validation
Rigorous bench testing of power paths, thermal performance, and signal integrity to ensure early-stage designs are robust enough for developer testing.
Software Development Services
I develop web and desktop applications, integrations and workflows, and investigate and improve legacy software. I agree the working environment, access and any deployment as part of the project scope.
Custom Software Development
I design and develop bespoke web applications, client portals, desktop software and integration prototypes, with agreed outputs and test criteria.
Web Software Development
I develop web applications, customer portals and dashboards, from proofs of concept to changes and deployment on existing systems, with the outputs and review criteria agreed before work starts.
Desktop Software Development
I develop and improve desktop applications and integrations for Windows, macOS or Linux, with testing and deployment suited to the agreed environment.
System Stabilisation & Modernisation
Many critical business functions run on legacy codebases that have become fragile, slow, or difficult to support. I investigate faults, improve existing code and plan and carry out migrations, using appropriate testing, backups and recovery arrangements for the agreed work.
⚙️ Legacy Modernisation
Assessing and improving legacy applications, with testing, agreed deployment and handover notes.
Experience includes Classic ASP, VB6, .NET Framework migrations, database performance tuning, and refactoring old codebases.
Workflow Automation & Integration
I prototype scripts, APIs and workflows using sample data and isolated test connections, then carry the agreed automation through to deployment, including work on live systems where that is within the Work Brief or Statement of Work. Testing, deployment timing, backup, recovery and rollback arrangements are agreed before changes are made.
Reusable Software Assets
I maintain a library of reusable code modules, internal developer utilities, and software components that help bootstrap new projects and speed up client technical delivery.