Hello, I'm Riccardo

I'm a Hardware Design Engineer

Currently Building Automotive Power Converters @BRUSA HyPower AG as a Hardware Development Engineer

Modern Hardware Development

Modern hardware development is no longer guesswork. I use custom-built software, simulation pipelines, and algorithmic optimization to explore thousands of design possibilities, uncovering solutions that maximize efficiency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.

Custom Tools
I develop a fully custom software ecosystem for electronic design, written in Rust for performance and Python for analysis and automation. These tools allow me to simulate, optimize, and visualize thousands of circuit configurations with high precision and reproducibility.
Genetic Optimization
I use genetic algorithms to automatically evolve circuit designs and component selections toward optimal efficiency, thermal performance, and cost. Each generation tests and evaluates thousands of candidates through simulation, applying natural selection principles to converge on the best trade-offs between competing objectives — such as size, losses, EMI, and cost. The result is a data-driven Pareto front of high-performance solutions that reveal what’s truly achievable within given design constraints.
Thermal Aware Design
I integrate detailed thermal models into the optimization loop so that each candidate design is evaluated not only for electrical performance but also for its temperature rise and cooling efficiency. This ensures that selected components operate safely under realistic thermal loads, reducing derating and improving lifetime reliability — achieving performance without exceeding thermal limits.
Monte Carlo Simulation
Using Monte Carlo analysis, I test how each optimized design behaves under variations in component tolerances, supply voltage, and temperature. This statistical approach identifies sensitive parameters and validates that the final design maintains compliance and performance across real-world manufacturing and environmental conditions.

Projects

Sep 9, 2025

Axon MNA Simulation Suite

Axon is an experimental, Rust-based circuit simulation engine designed to be a clean, modern spiritual successor to SPICE. Its core algorithm is the Modified Nodal Analysis (MNA), providing a robust foundation for circuit simulation. The project is specifically engineered for modularity and extensibility, aiming to serve as a high-performance foundation for exploring advanced co-simulation and electromechanical extensions.

Aug 30, 2025

Personal Front-End

The story and technology behind this website, a personal project to showcase my skills and projects.

Jun 1, 2023

15kW Modular DC-DC Converter

My master’s thesis: the design and build of a 15 kW modular SoftSwing DC-DC converter from scratch. Six months of intense hardware and software engineering in Switzerland, filled with frustration, testing and high cortisol levels. Despite all odds, it ended up working.

Modern Software Development

I operate at the edge of modern software engineering: Rust cores for speed and safety, Vue/Nuxt for sleek interfaces, and Tauri for native desktops—wrapped with Python bindings for instant analysis workflows. From APIs to data pipelines and deploys, the software I build is engineered for performance, reproducibility, and scale.

High-Performance Rust Core
I build reliable, fast core libraries in Rust with strong typing, zero-cost abstractions, and fearless concurrency. Parallel evaluation and structured logging keep heavy computation responsive and observable.
Python Bindings & Data Pipelines
Seamless Python access via PyO3 + Maturin wheels. I expose Rust engines as clean Python APIs for analysis notebooks, Polars dataframes, and automation scripts—no copy-paste glue.
Desktop Apps with Tauri
Cross-platform desktop applications powered by Tauri + Rust backends and modern web UIs. Small binaries, native performance, and secure IPC for waveform viewers, optimizers, and report tools.
Modern Front-Ends (Vue + Nuxt)
Fast, accessible UIs with Nuxt 4, Nuxt UI, and Tailwind. Server routes, content pipelines, and internationalization ready for technical portals, dashboards, and interactive docs.
APIs & Services
REST backends in Rust, with rate-limiting, auth, and telemetry. Suitable for a high-tier website or IoT applications.
Data & Visualization
Polars-native data flows and interactive charts for million-point waveforms. Export to Typst/HTML for crisp, automated reports.

Articles

Jul 22, 2025

Building The Torilux - Part I

Not long ago, I stumbled upon a fascinating project on Hackaday. The project showcased the design and construction of circuitry capable of generating a rotating magnetic field, which in turn shapes ionized gas into plasma forms using electromagnetic fields. I was immediately drawn to it, not only because of the inherent coolness of ionized gas, but also due to the connection to power electronics (my area of expertise) and the potential to create unique, visually striking plasma displays. I decided to develop my own version of the device as an affordable lighting fixture, which I’ve decided to name Torilux. I decided to start this article series as a log and guide for anyone interested in building their own version of this fascinating device.