Cooke Career Snapshot: Systems Engineering with Gustavo Diaz Galeas
Gustavo Diaz Galeas
2017 Undergraduate Transfer Scholar, University of Central Florida
Embedded Systems Engineer at Connected Wise, LLC
Gustavo Diaz Galeas has been working as an embedded systems engineer for Connected Wise, an AI startup involved in the R&D (research and development) of transportation engineering solutions, since summer 2022. He completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, both in Computer Engineering, in Spring 2020 and Fall 2022, respectively. During his Master’s program, he specialized in computer systems and security, which has directly contributed to his work at Connected Wise. As a key figure in several SBIR-funded projects, Diaz Galeas led the rapid development of a novel weigh-in-motion system, achieving in just six months what a preceding two-year pilot project had set the groundwork for. His work on the project resulted in a conference publication with the Transportation Research Board that detailed the system’s design and impact. In his downtime, Diaz Galeas enjoys going to the gym and exploring new culinary experiences, which he finds parallels in his approach to engineering - both requiring precision and creativity.
Can you share about your academic journey?
I have a BS and a MS in Computer Engineering. My most influential experiences were in undergrad, where I was a member of the Eta Kappa Nu Honors Society. This is where I've developed the majority of my current professional network and has allowed me to hone skills in communication and leadership. I'd also like to cite my involvement in research labs to be pivotal in developing key skills that have translated well into the professional world such as attention to detail, time management, and unique approaches to problem solving. One such experience occurred in the Summer of 2019, where I spent three months researching the performance of different disaggregated memory systems.
What does a typical day look like in your job?
I always start my morning with a fresh cup of brewed coffee as I spend the first hour browsing through tech-related news in hopes of finding something interesting to bring up to my colleagues. Afterwards, I review the set of tasks I have to work on. This involves having to look back a day or two to see what has been completed, what hasn't, what's still in progress, etc. This ensures I have a good understanding of the different timelines for the projects I am responsible for. My rest of the day involves completing the tasks, usually on a basis of time-sensitivity and easiest to hardest, and attending any scheduled meeting. I average about three to four meetings a week.
What’s your favorite and least favorite thing about your job?
My favorite part of the job is also my least: I often am lucky enough to be able to get out of the office to conduct field tests with the rest of my team. This gives a brief respite from the day-to-day meandering of office work. However, it can be frustrating at times depending on the overall success of the test, as things can often not work as intended or expected and you return from the field empty-handed. Over time though, I have come to see these as good opportunities to learn and improve from.
Do you have any advice for Cooke Scholars who are interested in pursuing a career in your industry?
My advice to anyone interested in getting into the industry is to never be afraid to make mistakes, for it is where we learn the most. Most importantly, do not shy away from being more academically-minded, as those set of skills have often set me apart in interviews.
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