Chris Rice

Systems Engineer Building Real-World Hardware/Software Products

I work at the intersection of embedded Linux, firmware, PCB design, product development, manufacturing support, and practical troubleshooting. My projects range from professional audio products and embedded control systems to custom circuit boards, handheld devices, web-based firmware tools, and 3D-printed enclosures.

This site collects professional and personal projects that show how I approach engineering: understand the system, make the hardware and software work together, document it clearly, and turn prototypes into something reliable enough for real use.

What I Do

• Embedded Linux systems and audio product platforms
• Firmware for ESP32, RP2040, Raspberry Pi, and custom hardware
• PCB design, hardware bring-up, and manufacturing support
• Web tools for device configuration, firmware updates, and product management
• Product documentation, technician workflows, and troubleshooting guides
• Prototype-to-product development across hardware, software, and mechanical design

Featured Projects

Bryston BDP / Manic Moose Platform

Linux-based digital audio player systems, product evolution, embedded software, manufacturing support, and long-term product maintenance.

Bryston BR5 Remote

ESP32-S3 handheld remote firmware with OLED display, motion wake, RGB backlighting, IR control, battery management, and a browser-based firmware update tool.

CM4IO Board for BDP-3

Custom Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 carrier board designed to fit an existing product enclosure while preserving required product features and simplifying assembly.

BluMan Bluetooth Headphone Amplifier

Battery-powered LDAC Bluetooth headphone amplifier combining digital audio, DAC integration, analog output design, power management, PCB design, and enclosure work.

RP2040 Game Boy Emulator Handheld

Custom PCB and enclosure based on a Raspberry Pi Pico emulator project, with updated display support, image scaling, and handheld product integration.

FM Radio Solderless Kit

A maker-focused electronics kit platform designed around simple assembly, 3D-printable enclosures, and accessible hardware for hobbyists and small creators.

How I Think About Engineering

The projects here are less about isolated parts and more about complete systems. A good product is not just a circuit board, a piece of firmware, a web app, or a box. It is all of those things working together, in a way that can be built, tested, repaired, documented, and understood by the people who use it.

That is the kind of engineering I enjoy most: practical, cross-disciplinary, and grounded in the messy reality between prototype and production.

Looking For

I am interested in roles involving embedded systems, product systems engineering, embedded Linux, hardware/software integration, technical leadership, and prototype-to-production development.