Christopher Konopka
Creative Technologist
Boston, MA
cskonopka@protonmail.com


AboutEducationLinks
Christopher Konopka is a multidisciplinary artist that focuses on the cross section of human-computer interaction, analog video synthesis and experiential learning. They are passionate about finding new ways to connect computers and people. Drawing from his varied skill set, his goal is to develop communication systems that provide insight into individual experiences of the human condition.

ExperienceSkillsPublicationsEvents
vondas.network
Co-Founder
01/2022 - present
Python - Node.js - Automation - Linux - IoT - Web3 - AI
Creative Problem Solving, Solutions Architect, Technical Documentation, Automation
Roles
  • Creative technology solution architecting for clients, artists and institutions.
  • R&D solutions for bleeding-edge technology challenges and advanced system thinking.
Motional
Principal UX Hardware/Software Engineer
04/2023 - 07/2024
Arduino - Raspberry Pi - Node.js - Javascript - Cellular - AWS - Automation - Linux - IoT
Autonomous Vehicles, Solutions Architect, User testing, Technical Documentation, Cybersecurity
Roles
  • Product technical advisory, focusing on cross-team communication between Engineering, Operations and Product.
  • Led a small team focused on creating CES quality user journey prototypes for VIP, C-Suite and dignitary user journey showcases.
  • Created IoT prototypes for Motional/Uber delivery collaboration designs for the Product team.
  • Managed a VR team focused on User Journey development, HMI experiences, and patent awarded robotics use cases.
  • Product team liaison for Cybersecurity teams, responsible for validating Product tests so they adhere to updated protocols.
Senior UX Hardware/Software Engineer
04/2021 - 04/2023
Arduino - Raspberry Pi - Node.js - Javascript - Cellular - AWS - Automation - Linux - IoT
Autonomous Vehicles, Solutions Architect, Product User-testing, Technical Documentation, Procurement
Roles
  • Led the technical development, cross-team coordination and sourced materials for several Hyundai Ionic 5 EV prototypes vehicles for the Product team.
  • Created a modular software/hardware platform to enable Product teams the ability to validate Engineering use cases in real-life settings.
  • Hardware/software integration lead for UI/UX user and accessibility testing for Lyft, C-Suite, Hyundai, Kia, and various dignitaries.
UX Hardware/Software Engineer
04/2020 - 04/2021
Arduino - Raspberry Pi - Node.js - Javascript - Cellular - AWS - Automation - Linux - IoT
Solutions Architect, User testing, QA, Technical Documentation
Roles
  • Created an IoT vehicle hardware/software sandbox for Product testing a ride-share network in collaboration with Cloud & Engineering teams.
  • Validated automotive and experimental hardware components for the Product team provided by vendors to determine if they aligned with use cases provided by Design & Research teams.
  • Created a VR platform for validating User Journey experiences and help define internal HMI experiences to inform Engineering.
Twilio
Developer Evangelist
08/2018 - 07/2019
Arduino - Raspberry Pi - Node.js - Go - Javascript - React - AWS - Azure - Linux - Git
Cellular IoT, Community Outreach, Blogging, Technical Documentation
Roles
  • Inspire and equip new Twilio IoT developers using commercially available cellular IoT hardware through blog content, tutorials, and quick-start content.
  • Sponsor hackathons, host IoT workshops, and take part in panels with a focus on clarifying the development process for individuals curious about cellular IoT.
  • Provide specialized IoT solutions for developers using the T-Mobile Narrowband developer kit and the Twilio SIM.
  • Create internal hardware development work-flows specifically for equipping Twilions interested in IoT.
  • Designed the "SIGNAL Smart Door"; an interactive Narrowband product demo made for Twilio SIGNAL 2018.
  • Created the TwilioIoT GitHub repository for sharing IoT code and snippets with internal & external Twilio users.
yack.com
  • Full Stack Developer
  • 09/2017 - 06/2018
  • Javascript - Node.js - Express - React - AWS - EC2 - DynamoDB - Websockets
  • Web Chat, SMS, UI/UX, Cloud
    • Roles
    • Responsible for designing and developing a text-based notification for interacting with Emergency Services over a web chat using Twilio.
    • Developed the back-end using Node.js and created a cloud architecture from scratch using AWS EC2, S3, and DynamoDB.
    • Created an API for receiving incoming SMS messages from a client and updates the user’s account using WebSockets.
    • Installed a prototype user base using Auth0, created profile templates and added an admin log viewer for saved calls.
    Multimedia Innovations
    Full Stack Developer
    01/2017 - 08/2017
    Javascript - Node.js - Express - IBM Watson - YouTube
    Text-to-Speech, Webpage Automation, Transcriptions
    Roles
    • Invented an automation method that takes a YouTube link and generates a new webpage with an embedded searchable transcription text, audio, and video interface.
    • Created features such as keyword highlighting, quote/word save & share and keyword playback.
    The Semisphere Group
    Lead R&D Hardware & Software Developer
    07/2016 - 01/2018
    Raspberry Pi - Python - Linux - MaxMSP - Jitter - Unreal Engine - Arduino - Android - Processing
    VR, AR, HCI, Neuroscience Research, Hardware Intergration
    Roles
    • Responsible for designing custom hardware/software solutions for Rhode Island Space Grant Consortium projects and Brown University’s Planetary Geology department under the direction of Seth Horowitz, PhD & Peter H. Schultz, PhD.
    • Developed a modular hardware/software anti-nausea solution called “Oream” that can help lessen the effects of vertigo.
    • Built custom VR software for navigating models of distant geological structures in real-time with joystick control and location transport for geological surveying for Brown University’s Planetary Geology department.
    • Created custom prototyping software to test prosthetic hand gestures.
    The Engine Institute
    Lead R&D Hardware & Software Developer
    01/2016 - 05/2016
    MaxMSP - Jitter- MindWave - Emotiv - Arduino - Neurosky MindWave
    Brainwave Algorithms, Serial, LED, Sculpture
    Roles
    • Developer of “MindDraw”, a real-time interactive brainwave visualizer controlled by a participant’s “Meditation” and “Attention” brainwave patterns using the NeuroSky MindWave.
    • Created software to capture & filter user brainwave patterns for developing “experience” presets.
    • Designed a physics engine to provide dynamic control based on a user’s brainwave pattern.
    • Architect of “Imagining Blue”, an interactive LED sculpture controlled with brainwaves of a user.
    • Invented a modular serial stack that allowed 30+ simultaneous serial connections using an Arduino.
    • Developed custom software that modularised brainwave filtering algorithms and visualizations.
    Pickasound
    Lead R&D/Web Audio Developer/Integration Specialist
    09/2015 - 01/2017
    Javascript - React - Redux - Wavesurfer.js - Web Audio API - DSP.js - Csound - Node.js
    DSP Architecture Design, Automation, Web Audio API Integration
    Roles
    • Designed the audio DSP architecture which, included a standardized effect chain, pitch-shifting, time-stretching and multi-track recording with automation.
    • Created internal and UI/UX unit-tests for audio DSP algorithms.
    • Developed webpage templates and UI/UX designs.
    • Researched and developed fast-rendering audio algorithms.
    Dave Jones Design
    Hardware Beta Tester
    07/2015
    Hardware
    Eurorack Synthesizers, Beta testing, Bug tracking
    Roles
    • Documented leading up to the release of the O'Tool+.
    DSP Concepts
    Integration Specialist
    06/2015 - 08/2015
    Pure Data - AudioWeaver
    Interconnectivity, Rapid-prototyping, Technical eDocumentation
    Roles
    • Document legacy code from a previous Pure Data project.
    • Developed hardware/software pathways for real-time control of AudioWeaver using Pure Data.
    Neuropop
    Web Development/Android Development
    Android - Javascript - Processing
    Rapid Prototyping, Data Visualization, Mobile Development
    01/2015 - 05/2015
    Roles
    • Designed applications that focused on auditory solutions for pain for Android.
    • Developed auditory patient surveys for clinical testing for Android.
    • Maintained & create a web UI workflow for observing and saving patient data.
    Boulanger Labs
    Solutions Architect/Integration Specialist
    2012 - 2014
    Pure Data - Csound - OpenFrameworks - TouchOSC - Objective-C
    iPad development, HCI, Software Architecture, Interactivity
    Roles
    • Solutions Architect/Integration Specialist for the Leap Motion application “Muse” featuring BT. Responsible for creating an architecture that connects OpenGL in OpenFrameworks to Pure Data using OSC and then routing these gestures into Csound.
    • Developed the “Auto Muse” feature, an algorithmic play-along system using Fibonacci number theory for the “Muse” application.
    • Prototyped audio DSP algorithms/audio UI integration specialist for “csSpectral”.
    Qu-Bit Electronix
    Audio DSP Developer
    05/2014 - 11/2014
    Csound - Raspberry Pi
    Audio DSP, Rapid-prototyping
    Roles
    • Responsible for creating embedded audio DSP algorithms for module “Nebulae” using Csound.
    • Quality assurance and UX/UI testing.
    Berklee College of Music
    ReBoot Tutor
    06/2013 - 09/2013
    MaxMSP
    SoftStep - Interactive Performance - Mentor
    Roles
    • Assisting professors with interactive development for personal projects.
    • Mentor faculty about design paradigms and creative problem solving.
    Assistive Music Technology Developer
    2010 - 2012
    MaxMSP - Arduino
    Music Technology, Data Sonification, HCI
    Roles
    • Inventor of “Optical Sonance”, a real-time abstract drawing and sonification machine. Designed custom audio software, based around the Lucas number system, for sonifying light data as it was being drawn. 
    • Inventor of “wiiAirDrum” for the Assistive Music Technology for Blind and Visually Impaired Musicians at Berklee College of Music
    • Software, along with several drawing machines, featured at the “2012 President’s Advisory Council Meeting hosted by Roger Brown”.
    • Invented a wireless glove system and interactive robotics project for Nona Hendrix called MIT-1.