About Me

I am Gertjan Koolen and live in the Netherlands in the Eindhoven area. I am a freelance embedded systems engineer helping companies with expert-level electrical design, embedded software and algorithm design, prototype manufacturing, and cross-disciplinary technical problem solving.

Since 1987 I have been building computers and designing hardware and software. I worked in multiple startups and in multiple bigger companies on new innovative products. Most of the time, as an embedded systems architect, although my passion remains in making cutting-edge hardware, software, and algorithm designs.

As lead engineer or architect, I worked on many successful products, like pen tablets, touchscreens, cable modems, head-end systems, remote RF telemetry devices, LED lamp driver chips, lighting control systems, electric vehicle chargers (up to 1.5 MW), and more.

With my experience, I support teams in solving complex design challenges.

Gertjan Koolen - founder of GJ TechWorks

I support teams in:

  • Rapid-prototyping of embedded hardware and software — turning concepts into working solutions
  • Analog circuit + PCB design — low-noise, high-power, PLL, RF, low-current, and other precision applications using modern techniques
  • Algorithm and embedded software design — both classical and ML/AI control algorithms
  • Design review, performance, cost and manufacturing optimization
  • Training & coaching — electronic design, innovation, manufacturing and embedded architecture
  • Short-term consulting projects — typically 1–3 months, focused and results-driven

Core strengths:

  • Make simple designs that perform well
  • Applying unconventional yet practical approaches to deliver effective solutions
  • Connecting disciplines to create optimized designs
  • Finding innovation opportunities (wrote 25+ patents)
  • Seeing the bigger picture and asking the right questions

Expertise:

  • Expert: analog electronics, algorithm design, system architecting and simulation, PCB design, EMC, RF design, cross-discipline design optimization, embedded software/firmware design, patent writing
  • Proficient: AI/ML algorithms, architecting, system partitioning, data modeling, cybersecurity, app design, mechanical design, marketing alignment, reliability engineering, thermodynamics, FPGA, IP networks, Linux, hypervisors, SMPS design, high-voltage systems, human psychology, requirement management, technology roadmapping, process improvement, standards compliance

I work as a freelancer/consultant with discretion and sound judgment, to design/prototype challenging circuits.