Zack Woodruff
Robotics Software/Controls Engineer | Agricultural Automation | Medical Robotics
- Role
- Principal Robotics Software Engineer at Directed Machines
- Location
- Seattle, WA, US
- LinkedIn followers
- 500 followers
About Zack Woodruff
Developing surgical robots that improve patient outcomes, enabling sustainable food production using agricultural automation, and mentoring the next generation of engineers, are ways that I support my passion for improving people’s lives. I thrive in multidisciplinary environments, and love to collaborate with people from different backgrounds to solve complex problems.My Ph.D. research focused on modeling, motion planning, and feedback control for robotic manipulation of objects. I became an expert in researching advanced robotics topics and applying my findings to unsolved problems. I have a broad knowledge of robotic kinematics/dynamics, hardware, and software, and some specific examples include: • Writing low-level controllers for a robot arm with a multi-threaded real-time OS (QNX c)• Creating custom dynamic simulations and visualizations for robot systems to specifically handle contact constraints• Motion planning using nonlinear optimization and graph-based methods• Implementing feedback controllers to stabilize manipulation tasks using IR/RGBD camerasWhen I\'m not working I enjoy making interactive art and being active outdoors by rock climbing, running, biking, and snowboarding.
Experience
Principal Robotics Software Engineer
Mar 2021 — Present · Seattle, WA, US
Developing a heavy-duty and solar-powered robot for utility-scale solar sites and small farms•The Land Care Robot performs autonomous tasks including mowing, inspection, hauling, and brush clearing
Education
Northwestern University
Master of Science (MS)
2013 — 2016
University of Notre Dame
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Magna Cum Laude
2009 — 2013
Northwestern University
Doctor of Philosophy - PhD
2016 — 2020
Skills
- Microsoft Word
- Powerpoint
- Microsoft Excel
- Robotics
- Mathematica
- Photoshop
- Ros
- Python
- Latex
- Research
- C
- Microsoft Office
- Ptc Pro/Engineer
- Machining
- Matlab
- Controls
- Rapid Prototyping
- C++
- Mechanical Engineering
- Solidworks
- Dynamic Systems
- Fortran
- Motion Planning
- Product Design
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