Steve Kraft

Responsible for all aspects of design, development, and production of a custom construction machine used for installing utility solar power plant foundations. Overview of the machine here: https://vimeo.com/ojjo/review/428850657/139910214a

- Medical device consulting, embedded software and data analysis
- Mobile machinery consulting, machinery control design and implementation
- Company advisor for Foxeye Robotics, in the area of control systems and embedded software
- Company advisor for Kimochis, in the area of business finance and operations

Lead all aspects of PowerHive’s technology development. PowerHive is designing and building solar-powered electric microgrids for use in villages in developing countries where consistent electricity service is not available to residents (e.g. parts of Africa, Southeast Asia). Technology development includes embedded hardware, firmware, and server software.

Led all aspects of the launch of the TMAC (“Tracker Monitoring And Control”) product at SunPower. This included PCB design and layout, firmware, networking and server software, certifications, purchasing and contract manufacturer interface. This product is currently shipping on all SunPower power plant installations, including the recently introduced concentrator product. The TMAC is notable as the innovative technology mentioned in the recent $1.2B loan guarantee for SunPower’s 250 MW… Show more

Led all aspects of the launch of the TMAC (“Tracker Monitoring And Control”) product at SunPower. This included PCB design and layout, firmware, networking and server software, certifications, purchasing and contract manufacturer interface. This product is currently shipping on all SunPower power plant installations, including the recently introduced concentrator product. The TMAC is notable as the innovative technology mentioned in the recent $1.2B loan guarantee for SunPower’s 250 MW California Valley Solar Ranch project (http://energy.gov/articles/energy-department-finalizes-12-billion-loan-guarantee-support-california-solar-generation).

Led two programs targeted at reducing solar cell manufacturing costs by directly patterning semiconductor dopant materials on wafers. These are lithography programs using inkjet and screen printing technologies to apply dopants. The programs comprise development of custom materials, tools, and process integration. Show less

TiltSolar provided a complete package for single or two axis tracking systems for utility scale solar energy applications. This package included foundations, mounting structures, controls, and monitoring; everything required to enable any system developer to use tracking systems rather than fixed tilt mounts. This business was acquired by SunPower, Inc.

Designed a high volume, network enabled device used in residential solar power applications. This device collected solar power production and home energy usage information and made this data accessible to customers on the Internet. This business was sold to a customer, PowerLight, Inc. PowerLight was a large solar system integrator based in Berkeley.

Designed the VIP Oil Analyzer, an instrument used to analyze the properties of engine lubricants. This instrument integrates magnetic… Show more

Designed a high volume, network enabled device used in residential solar power applications. This device collected solar power production and home energy usage information and made this data accessible to customers on the Internet. This business was sold to a customer, PowerLight, Inc. PowerLight was a large solar system integrator based in Berkeley.

Designed the VIP Oil Analyzer, an instrument used to analyze the properties of engine lubricants. This instrument integrates magnetic, pressure, and temperature measurements along with motion control and digital signal processing to provide a powerful preventive maintenance tool for manufacturing facilities. Show less

Designed and taught ME235, titled “Switching control and computer interfacing”. ME235 students learn digital design, digital to analog interfacing, and embedded computing.

Taught ME135 and ME230, both titled “Real Time Software for Mechanical System Control”. Students learn to design and implement software for controlling complex mechanical systems.

Managed the R&D group at BPC in the development of high performance machine control products. BPC’s flagship product is the factory automation industry’s first 64-bit machine controller. BPC also manufactures related automation products, including a touch sensitive operator interface, servo motors, and power amplifiers. We sold approximately $500M of control products both in the US and abroad. Challenges of the position include:

• Managing a group of talented and experienced… Show more

Managed the R&D group at BPC in the development of high performance machine control products. BPC’s flagship product is the factory automation industry’s first 64-bit machine controller. BPC also manufactures related automation products, including a touch sensitive operator interface, servo motors, and power amplifiers. We sold approximately $500M of control products both in the US and abroad. Challenges of the position include:

• Managing a group of talented and experienced electrical, mechanical, and software engineers in a company where sales grew 30 percent per year.
• Leading the design and supervising the development of industrial quality hardware and real-time software products. All of BPC’s products are used in factory automation and must be robust and reliable to an extent unnecessary in most commercial environments.
• Introducing leading edge products under aggressive time to market and cost constraints.
• Designing current generation products and conceiving next generation products in a team environment that includes internal sales and marketing groups as well as customers.
• Providing guidance, training, and support for the newer members of BPC’s continually growing engineering staff. Show less