Hi there! I’m Ignacy Kajdan, a software engineer with interests in electronics, embedded systems, DevOps, and artificial intelligence1. I’m passionate about programming and free software, with a diverse technical skill set and a constant drive to learn.

Currently working at GRINN as an Embedded Software Engineer, contributing to embedded software development, system integration, and infrastructure for System-on-Modules.

My name is pronounced “ig-NAH-tsih KAI-dahn” (IPA: [iɡˈnat͡sɨ] [ˈkai̯dan]). Ignacy is a male name with uncertain etymology. According to the most widely accepted theory, it originates from the Latin word ignis, meaning “fire”. In Spanish, Ignacy translates to Nacho. Additionally, the Polish word kajdan (plural: kajdany) refers to shackles, chains, or fetters used to restrain a person, typically on the wrists or ankles.

I hold an MSc in Automatic Control & Robotics from Poznan University of Technology, specializing in Robotics & Autonomous Systems. During my studies, I was part of the PUT Motorsport Formula Student racing team and worked as an R&D Engineer at the Mobile Robots Lab, developing an autonomous mobile platform for cargo transportation for Samsung Electronics Poland Manufacturing.

My interests also include computer programming, lately focusing on Python and Rust. I also have a strong interest in embedded systems and IoT, working with microcontrollers, especially STM32 and ESP32, and SoM devices.

I’m equally fascinated by machine learning, particularly deep learning and natural language processing.

I have a great appreciation for free and open-source projects, as well as the decentralized “Bazaar” development model2.

Outside of tech, I enjoy epic music (Two Steps From Hell), visual arts, a bit of philosophy, and plenty of hard science fiction, particularly post-apocalyptic (Metro 2033) and cyberpunk (Blade Runner) genres. My favorite meal is burgers, especially this one.

I speak (nearly) flawless Polish, quite good English, terrible German, and a bit of Spanish. I can also translate some PSL (Polish Sign Language) signs.

Online, I often go by ikajdan, though I don’t use social media much. I prefer one-on-one communication.

  1. Though, I prefer less media-hyped names, like the “machine learning”, even if they do not encompass the whole field. ↩︎

  2. Referring to Eric S. Raymond’s essay “The Cathedral and the Bazaar”. ↩︎