Zackery Sobin

Senior Firmware Engineer & Systems Architect

I specialize in bridging the gap between digital logic and mechanical reality. With a foundation in Navy Nuclear Power as a qualified Reactor Operator and a degree in Electrical Engineering from NC State, I bring a rigorous, mission-critical perspective to embedded systems and software design.


VectorFlight: Pegasus Control System

The VectorFlight Pegasus Control System was developed with an ambitious engineering goal: to create a flight control architecture that operates identically whether it is flying a virtual drone in a 3D environment or a physical aircraft in the field. By using a "single source of truth" via the SuperVar framework, Pegasus allows for the seamless iteration of complex flight dynamics, autopilot logic, and sensor filtering on a desktop PC, which can then be deployed to a Raspberry Pi or microcontroller target without rewriting the core engine.

The architecture is built for parity: the same C++ codebase can run as a graphical Ground Control Station (GCS) or as a headless, embedded Linux flight controller interfaced with a bare-metal microcontroller and sensors. It features a sophisticated, low-latency telemetry protocol.

🚀 View the VectorFlight Repository on GitHub

Resume & Qualifications

Download PDF Resume



Patents

I am a named inventor on more than two dozen patents involving firmware, control systems, and electronics architecture.

📜 Zackery Sobin - Patents on Justia.com



Letters of Recommendation

The Archives: History & Expertise

Ever since my earliest memories, I've been a tinkerer. I spent my high school evenings writing computer programs. Now I own my own company, have a website, and have done at least one substantial job while paying my own taxes. I can assess your situation and quickly provide the custom electronic circuits and/or computer programs to meet your needs. I've written mission-critical software and, having underwater nuclear experience, I understand administration and the effects downtime can have on your operation.

Claims & Milestones:
  • 1999 Western Carolina High School Programming Contest Winner
  • Unbeatable Tic-Tac-Toe Program Dated November 1998 (10th Grade)
  • Designer of first ever in-car MP3 player. Last modification timestamp of software is October 1999
  • Reactor Operator Experience
  • Electrical Switchboard Operator Experience
  • Soldering Expert
  • NCSU Electrical Engineering Degree
  • Commercial Facilities Engineering Experience
  • Commercial Product Design Experience

Additional Demos & Media

Interactive Web Apps:



Hydraulic Control Demonstration:

This control system had half a dozen valves and a variable swashplate pump. Each change of direction felt like a "symphony" and the motion of each unit needed to be coordinated via software.


3D Modelling Examples

Solid Works Example

I did these as a personal hobby while in college at NCSU. I used this with the VectorFlight program referenced above.
Like the in-care MP3 player described above, this drone was before drones were a thing.
I modeled the drone and Logitech camera with SolidWorks based on what woudl be practical to physically buidl with balsawood.
I also modeled, ordered, then personally populated the circuit board which is shown in the circuit thumbnail shown above.
Physical
Modeled
Physical Drone Frame Modeled Drone Frame Physical Completed Drone Modeled Completed Drone


SketchUp and NI Multisim

I did this in SketchUp of a lot I once owned.
I used Lidar data, lastools and python scripts to turn the topography into a Sketchup model.
I then modeled a driveway before abandoning this build and selling the lot.
This is the circuit board in the drone shown above.
SketchUp Lot Model NI Multisim Circuit Board
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