HI, I AM RICHARD MAINA
I solve problems the way I cook dinner: see what's in the pantry, decide what I want out of it and build around that.
Every problem has a scarce resource: time, compute, ingredients, a team's attention. I name it first, then design around it. My core is embedded and kernel work, but I've worked across enough other fields to see solutions that people inside a single field tend to miss.
Close to the hardware, where I started and where I'm most at home.
I began my career in embedded development, thrilled by how much visibility and control you have over your programs. Since then, I've built my skills in inter-process communication and device drivers, and contributed to both Zephyr and the Linux kernel.
Taking products from idea to release.
I've guided projects the whole way through, with a hand in everything from specs and UI/UX to planning and keeping people coordinated. Building at startup pace gave me speed, grit and adaptability.
Always picking up something new, usually by building it.
Lately that's ESP32 projects, further contributions to Zephyr and a curiosity about the world of edge AI.
02 / COOKING
Limited ingredients, limited time and a meal that still has to hit its macros. The constraints don't block the design, they define it.
Breakfast biscuit
Quick breakfast, plated with care. It lasts about two minutes before I scarf it down.
Chinese NY rib
Invited to a Chinese New Year party. I know the flavors but not the cooking, so I twisted a dish I know well.
Glazed thigh
Meal prep gets boring. A glaze is all it takes to dress up classic chicken and rice.
Italian bok choy
All that was left was Italian sausage and bok choy, fusion was the only option.
Katsu pesto
Katsu usually gets curry. I say a fresh, creamy pesto suits that crispy cutlet better.
03 / CULTURE
Culture is the lens we all share and each perceive differently. Art gives me inspiration. Basketball shows me split-second decisions with teams moving in concert. Music takes me places I've never been and says what words can't.
