Chum

"Gearheads With Greg - Episode 40: Tiny Gadgets, Big Dreams!"

[Scene: Interior of a cluttered but organized workshop. Components, circuit boards, fabrics, and small machines are visible on shelves and worktables. A man in his late 20s, known as Greg, sits in front of a camera. He has safety goggles on his forehead and a soldering iron in hand.]

Greg:

Hey, Gearheads! Welcome back to episode 40 of "Gearheads With Greg." If you're new here, don't forget to punch that—uh—click on that subscribe button to add this vlog to your RSS feed. Man, 40 episodes! That's like, almost a year, huh? Time flies when you're having fun—or in our case, when you're buried in circuits and spandex.

Greg:

Thanks, PowerNut and CircuitQueen! Glad you guys could make it. So today is a bit special. I'm working on something that could be a game-changer for one of our local vigilantes. But before we get to that, let's have a look at some mail I received this week.

[Greg reaches down and picks up a small box and some letters. He opens one.]

Greg:

This one is from... oh, it's a thank-you note from Episode 37's client. Says the shock-resistant boots I made for him worked like a charm. He's been jumping off two-story buildings without so much as a twisted ankle! So that's cool!

Greg:

Aw, shucks! Thanks, MaskMaker and NotJustNerdy. It's all in a day's work.

Greg:

The rest of this,, well, you know... Bills, bills, resume rejections. Bills. Oh! This is...

[Greg shakes an 8 1/2 x 11 padded envelope, listening close. He sets it aside.]

This sounds like some components I ordered. I'll need that for later.

[Greg sets aside the mail and clears his workspace.]

Greg:

Alright, so today's project is a request from my client—a local vigilante who specializes in reconnaissance and surreptitious recording. She needs a miniature camera that can be pinned to a lapel and activated by touch. Oh, and it needs to transmit live footage back to her mobile command center. There's plenty of prefab spycams you can get on the market nowadays, but nothing beats custom work.

Greg:

Exactly, fellas. It's a challenge but one I'm eager to tackle. I've already laid out the components here.

[Greg shifts the camera angle to focus on a table with various small components neatly organized.]

Greg:

We've got a micro camera lens, an RF transmitter, and a touch-sensitive switch, along with other necessities like batteries and wires. Let's get this party started, shall we?

[Scene: The camera has been repositioned to give a better view of Greg's workspace, focusing on the components neatly laid out on an anti-static mat. Greg puts on his safety goggles, repositions the soldering iron and picks up a micro camera lens.]

Greg:

Alright, first thing's first. We need to solder the camera lens to the board. Precision is key here; we don't want to fry the sensor.

[Greg delicately holds the lens in a pair of tweezers and starts soldering it to a microchip board, being careful to not apply too much heat.]

Greg:

Soldering at this scale is a bit tricky. You need a fine-tip soldering iron and a steady hand. Okay... and there. That looks good.

[Greg sets the soldering iron aside and picks up a tiny RF transmitter.]

Greg:

Next up, the RF transmitter. This bad boy will take the footage from the camera and send it back to my client's mobile command center. Now, it's crucial to match the frequency with her system. We're using a 5.8 GHz band for this. Don't have the components necessary for a true wifi connector, it'd be too big and too expensive.

[Greg starts soldering wires to connect the RF transmitter to the microchip board, occasionally glancing at a diagram next to him.]

Greg:

Make sure the wires are properly insulated; we don't want any short circuits.

[After soldering the wires, Greg tests the connectivity with a multimeter.]

Greg:

Alright, let's test this... Good, we've got connectivity.

[Greg now reaches for the switch and a tiny battery.]

Greg:

Now, this switch is touch-sensitive and extremely compact. Just a light touch will activate the camera. Let's go ahead and solder this in series with our power source, which is a lithium coin cell battery.

[Greg carefully solders the touch-sensitive switch into the circuit, then connects the coin cell battery.]

Greg:

Alright, the switch is in, and the battery is connected. Now, we should have a functional prototype.

[Greg flips the switch, and a tiny LED light on the board illuminates.]

Greg:

And we have power! That's the basic assembly. I'll need to encase this in a weatherproof shell and pin mechanism for the lapel, but this is the core of the gadget. For now, let's take a break.

[Scene: Greg is back in his swivel chair, pulling up a pre-made sandwich and a can of soda from under the table. The camera is repositioned back to its original location, now showing both Greg and the workspace behind him.]

Greg:

Whew! All that soldering's got me hungry. Time for a bit of lunch.

[Greg unwraps his sandwich and takes a bite. He glances at the HIRC chatroom on a second monitor.]

Greg:

Yeah, you're right, Chat—don't solder on an empty stomach. Bad for the nerves. So, how's everyone's week going?

[Greg waits a moment as chat messages flow in, then nods.]

Greg:

Ah, job interviews, huh? Yep, been there, done that.

[Greg takes a sip from his soda can, his face expressing a sort of resigned understanding.]

Greg:

In fact, I've got another round of resumes going out later today. Fingers crossed, you know? Always hoping that this batch will be the "magic one."

[Greg sets the can down and looks at a stack of paper on the other end of the table, organized neatly in a tray labeled 'Resumes'.]

Greg:

Yeah, the job market's a tough cookie. Can't get a job without experience, can't get experience without a job, right? But hey, we keep on pushing.

[Greg picks up his sandwich and takes another bite, reading through more chat messages.]

Greg:

Oh, tips for resume building? Ha, well, if I were an expert, I'd probably be broadcasting from a workshop in the middle of the city, not my parent's garage. But let's just say, I've been told to make my "freelance work for local heroes" sound more... professional. Hence, "Independent Contractor for Tactical Support Devices in High-Stakes Environments." How's that for a mouthful?

Greg:

Always have to play to the HR guy, who does not understand what you are doing.

[Greg chuckles, sets the sandwich down, and wipes his hands on a napkin.]

Greg:

Anyways, back to work after this. Still got the weatherproof casing and the pin mechanism to finish. And my client is pretty punctual when she picks up her gadgets. Wouldn't want to keep a vigilante waiting, now would we?

[Greg gives a wry smile, takes a final sip of his soda, and begins to clear up his lunch.]

[Scene: Greg returns to his workbench after clearing his lunch. The camera zooms in a bit to focus more closely on the gadget parts spread out before him.]

Greg:

Alright, folks, back to business. Like I said earlier, we have power in the core unit. Next up is the weatherproof casing and pin mechanism.

[Greg picks up a small plastic case and a tiny pin from his assortment of components.]

Greg:

For the casing, I've got this custom 3D-printed shell. And over here is the pin mechanism that will attach it to my client's lapel.

[Greg holds the parts up to the camera for a closer look, then puts them down and starts assembling.]

Greg:

First, let's place the core unit into the casing. Gotta make sure the ports align with the shell cutouts. This is a snug fit, designed to keep out moisture and dirt.

[Greg uses a pair of tweezers to gently place the core unit into the casing, ensuring everything lines up. He then screws on the top part of the casing.]

Greg:

Looking good! Now let's attach the pin mechanism.

[Greg picks up a tiny screwdriver and starts attaching the pin to the back of the casing, narrating his steps.]

Greg:

This is just a simple pin, but it's reinforced with a bit of good ol' tungsten for durability. my client can't afford to lose this mid-mission, right?

[Greg tightens the last screw and holds the gadget up for the camera to see.]

Greg:

And there you have it! Weatherproof, durable, and ready for action. I'll run a final set of tests before handing it over, but that's pretty much it.

[Greg sets the finished gadget down, leaning back in his chair with a satisfied smile.]

Greg:

Another successful build, thanks to all of you for keeping me company. Here's hoping my client finds it as useful as I think she will. And who knows, maybe one day this kind of work will be more than just a weekend hobby.

[Greg glances at the 'Resumes' tray, then back at the camera.]

Greg:

But until then, keep dreaming big and building bigger, right? This is Greg, signing off. Have a great week, everyone!

[Greg reaches forward to turn off the camera, ending the episode.]

Support Device Engineer

Company: HeroTech Innovations

Location:

Las Vegas, NV, USA

Type:

Full-Time

Salary:

$85,000 - $120,000 per year

About HeroTech Innovations:

HeroTech Innovations is a leading company specializing in the design, development, and manufacturing of support devices and technologies for superhumans. Our products range from utility gadgets for superheroes to specialized medical devices for civilian superhumans. Our mission is to provide cutting-edge, safe, and ethical solutions to the unique challenges faced by the superhuman community.

Job Description:

As a Support Device Engineer, you'll be working closely with a multidisciplinary team of engineers, scientists, and designers to develop state-of-the-art gadgets and support devices for a diverse clientele.

Responsibilities:

Design and prototype gadgets and support devices based on specifications and requirements.

Liaise with superhuman consultants to understand unique user needs.

Conduct field tests to assess the performance, safety, and effectiveness of the products.

Perform simulations and modeling using software tools.

Write and review technical documentation, including product manuals and patents.

Maintain knowledge of current superhuman legislation, best practices, and industry trends.

Collaborate with Quality Assurance to ensure all products meet regulatory standards.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or related field.

Minimum of 3 years of experience in device engineering, preferably in superhuman technologies.

Proficiency in CAD software (SolidWorks, AutoCAD, etc.)

Familiarity with microcontrollers and wireless communication protocols.

Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure.

Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master's degree in a related engineering field.

Prior experience working with superhuman technologies.

Experience in wearables, biomechanics, or medical device design.

Knowledge of PERKS Assessment and its implications for device design.

Benefits:

Competitive salary and performance bonuses.

Comprehensive health and dental insurance.

A supportive and collaborative work environment.

Opportunities for professional development and career growth.

Unique chance to work at the forefront of a growing and fascinating field.

To Apply:

Please submit your resume, a cover letter detailing your experience and qualifications, and any relevant portfolio items through our online application system.