I am a software engineer with experience in data science. I have creditable results and the ability to apply learnt theory to practical situations, while being attentive and possessing a strong work ethic, independent character, and steady composure. I am also capable of innovative thinking, determined to achieve goals, and work well with others to complete the necessary projects. I am seeking to increase my potential in engineering and with data through tangible and fulfilling work, where I am able to contribute through my experience and learn from other fields and disciplines.
Skills Summary
Software Engineering, Computer Programming, Data Analysis, Machine Learning
Python 
Pyspark 
MATLAB 
Google Cloud 
Databricks 
Git 
SQL 
Airtable 
Retool 
Excel 
Linux Design Modelling, Engineering Analysis, Numerical Simulation, 3D Printing
Inventor 
Siemens NX 
PTC Creo 
ANSYS 
Cura 
Slic3r Dashboards, Computer Graphics, Digital Animation, Media Production, Presentations
Looker Studio 
Inkscape 
GIMP 
Blender 
PowerPoint Website Deployment, Document Preparation, Report Administration
HTML/CSS 
Jekyll 
Eleventy 
Word 
LaTeX
Education Qualifications
| Master of Science in Engineering, Mechanical (Distinction) [2020 - 2021] |  |
| University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg |
| Completed the degree by research dissertation (see Highlighted Projects). Achieved a result of 78.0% with invaluable sponsorship from and collaboration with Defy Appliances and qualification for (but declination of) the Wits University Postgraduate Merit Scholarship 2020. Graduated with distinction. |
Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Mechanical (Distinction) [2016 - 2019] | |
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg |
| Achieved an aggregate of 82.2% with inclusion on the Dean's List; qualification for the Wits University Entrance Scholarship and Wits University Undergraduate Merit Scholarship; recipient of the Bernard Price Prize (most distinguished student in mechanical engineering), William John Walker Gold Medal (most outstanding performance in the school of mechanical, industrial, and aeronautical engineering), productONE Design Award, Weir Minerals Design Award, South African Institution of Mechanical Engineering Ralph Sharp Award, and various certificates of merit. Graduated with distinction. |
| Grade 12 Independent Examinations Board Senior Certificate [2002 - 2015] |  |
| De La Salle Holy Cross College, Victory Park |
|
| Other certified education, training courses, and professional development: |
- Various MATLAB Courses including several onramps, Fundamentals, Programming Techniques, Object-Oriented Programming, and Data Processing And Visualization (MathWorks) [2022]
- Creo 5.0 Introduction Training - PTC University (productOne) [2019/12]
|
Professional Experience
| Position: Software / Data Engineer [2024/03 - Present] |  |
| Employer: Qurator |
| Freelance |
| Position: Software / Data Engineer [2023/10 - Present] |  |
| Employer: The Content Engine |
| Creating and deploying pipelines on Google Cloud using Cloud Scheduler, Pub/Sub Topics, Secret Manager, Cloud Functions, Cloud Storage, Cloud SQL, and BigQuery, as well as Databricks with various notebooks and workflows integrating with Delta Tables using Pyspark, Pandas, and MLflow. This revolves around the processing and transformation of raw data (retrieved from APIs of social media networks and internal sources) through a medallion architecture, such that this data and relevant insights from models can be visualized on dashboards for multiple clients with monitoring and reporting on Looker Studio. For business intelligence with regard to operations and production, custom tools are also developed to integrate with application databases using Retool and Airtable. |
| Position: Consultant - Software Engineering [2022/01 - 2023/09] |  |
| Employer: Opti-Num Solutions |
| Worked across a wide variety of industries in advanced business analytics, financial engineering, dig-ital engineering, smart mining and manufacturing, and research. This involved engaging with clients (such as MTN, African Bank, Johannesburg Stock Exchange, Anglo American, and Lodox) and apply-ing class-leading tools which aligned with the needs of the clients with an emphasis on MATLAB and Python (including modules for statistics, machine learning, visualizations, and image processing). The fields of exposure ranged between software engineering, data analytics, and data science. |
| Position: Operations Analyst [2021/09 - 2021/12] |  |
| Employer: DiDi, International Business Group (IBG) |
| Received brief exposure to the early stages of launch and live operation in South Africa. Gained experience in driver and rider acquisition and retention with my target area focussing on driver acquisition through the implementation and analysis of incentives programs and their effectiveness. |
| Position: Graduate Engineer, Cooling Design [2020/03 - 2021/08] |  |
| Employer: Defy Appliances, Arçelik A.Ş. |
| Assisted as a graduate mechanical engineer in cooling design while completing my Master's Degree. Gained experience with Siemens NX for the generation of a CAD model and engineering drawings and communicated with local suppliers for the manufacturing of a prototype for a potential product. Analysed the market possibility and costs to deploy the product and concluded that it would not be economically favourable to pursue. The product was a result of the research of the Master's Degree. |
| Position: Vacation Work II Internship [2018/12 - 2019/01] |  |
| Employer: CKR Consulting Multi-Disciplinary Engineers |
| Completed 6 weeks of vacation work with involvement in predicting the heat transfer for multi-level buildings through simulations with models in DesignBuilder and Hourly Analysis Program (HAP), as well as sizing the pipe networks of a chilled-water air conditioning system in HVAC Solution Pro. |
| Position: Vacation Work I Internship [2017/12 - 2018/01] |  |
| Employer: Red Metal Mining Project Engineers |
| Completed 6 weeks of vacation work with practical exposure to the manufacturing and assembly process for transformer and substation enclosures of various capacities and gained insight into practical abilities, which included grinding, welding, drilling, fastening, insulating, and problem-solving. |
| Other work experiences, roles, and responsibilities: |
- External examiner for postgraduate reports in mechanical engineering at Wits University.
- Tutor for mechanical engineering design and production at Wits University.
|
Highlighted Projects
| Project: Postgraduate Master's Research Dissertation [2020 - 2021] | |
| Subject: Solar-Powered Evaporative Cooling For Produce [View, 29.5MB] |
| Performed research into the potential of evaporative cooling using forced convection for the short-term storage of fruits and vegetables on a portable scale with a self-contained photovoltaic system. During experimentation in Johannesburg, South Africa, the initial prototype achieved temperature decreases over 11°C and relative humidity increases over 35% in 81.9% of the relevant periods. This was accompanied by an average increase in shelf life of 88.3% for a sample of fruits and vegetables. For further optimization, a thermoelectric module was incorporated which minimized temperature fluctuations at the expense of an increase in costs. The project was sponsored by Defy Appliances. |
| Project: Undergraduate 4th Year Research Project [2019/Q4] | |
| Subject: Quadrotor Visual Servoing For Target Tracking [View, 9.5MB] |
| Developed and tested a control script to perform position-based visual servoing in real-time using a single camera for moving target tracking with a Bitcraze Crazyflie 2.1. With limited computational capacity, a Raspberry Pi Zero W 1.1 and Pi Camera Module 2.1 were used for the image processing. The target was a robotic car programmed using Arduino. The script was written in Python and successfully implemented with end-point open-loop control using OpenCV and Crazyflie API libraries. |
| Project: Undergraduate 4th Year Design Project [2019/Q3] | |
| Subject: Electrically Enhanced Personal Transportation [View, 10.0MB] |
| Designed a vehicle for the transportation of a single user with capabilities for electric and manual modes of propulsion on asphalt, pavement, or gravel. After conceptual and analytical evaluations, the design resembled an electric bicycle with a rear hub motor, battery pack, diamond frame, spoked wheels, and single-speed chain transmission. The final performance was predicted to achieve speeds up to 30km/hr and a range over 50km for varying gradients up to 6% and winds up to 20km/hr. |
Other Interests
I have a passion for sport and regularly participate in tennis, football, and running to remain healthy and well-balanced. I am also interested in innovative technologies, because these are re-shaping the modern world and hold the answers to many unconventional problems. This includes machine learning, robotics, drones, internet of things, renewable energy, additive manufacturing, and quantitative finance, as these areas will form prominent parts of the future in many fields. I am always actively exploring and sharing recreational projects: https://orbits.edwardrycroft.com/.
Contact Information
My academic transcripts, professional references, and example projects can be provided upon request. Please feel free to contact me to discuss potential opportunities - I am always open to new and exciting insights and possibilities. For the latest updates, please visit: https://professional.edwardrycroft.com/.
