Jake Brecknock

Computer science and electrical engineering at Grinnell College. I build software that people use at work every day, and I'm currently writing a mesh VPN in Rust.

jake@grinnell: ~ click a command or type one
~/about

About

I'm pursuing a B.A. in Computer Science at Grinnell College and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering through the 3-2 engineering program. I also play NCAA soccer for Grinnell, receive merit aid, and co-founded the Grinnell Student Outreach Club.

Most of what I've shipped has been tools for people doing real work: a live estimating site for ACE Handyman's field manager and craftsmen, a check-in/out system for their tools and vehicles, and a site-data page for ADB engineers in St. Louis. I like problems where good software makes someone's day measurably faster.

Before Grinnell I went to Fenwick High School in Oak Park, where I was a Lawless Scholar, a National Merit semifinalist, and part of WYSE. On the math team I placed 6th in Illinois individually, and our team finished first.

I'm from Chicago and split my time between there and Melbourne. Outside of class and work I read a lot and play golf.

Jake Brecknock, number 27, with a Grinnell teammate after a soccer game
Me on the right, in 27.

Skills

Languages & hardware
  • C
  • JavaScript
  • R
  • Rust
  • SQL
  • Python
  • Java
  • Circuit design
  • Computer architecture
Software & frameworks
  • LLM implementation
  • AI frameworks
  • Git
  • Bash
  • Excel
  • Microsoft Office
  • Firebase
General
  • Project management
  • Organization & time management
  • Fast learner
~/experience

Experience

  1. –

    Engineering Intern ADB Companies, Chicago IL

    Software / electrical

    • Went on site visits with State of Illinois licensed electrical engineers for hands-on experience at telecommunication and fiber-optic sites.
    • Reviewed engineering drawings from Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile.
    • Cleaned and organized site data on my own using Python and Excel, then built a web page that hosts that data for ADB's St. Louis team.
  2. –

    Residential Assistant Grinnell College

    • Planned, organized, and budgeted events for a 20-person floor.
    • Trained in conflict mediation, supervisor communication, emergency management, and policy enforcement.
  3. –

    Software Development Intern ACE Handyman Services, Chicago IL

    • Built a JavaScript website that produces and stores estimates for the field manager and craftsmen. None of ACE's competitors offer live time estimates; the site is still in use and sets their estimate process apart. Built with Firebase, JavaScript, CSS, and HTML.
    • Built a second site that lets workers check tools and vehicles in and out.
  4. –

    Robotics Assembly Team Tapster Robotics, Chicago IL

    • Assembled roughly one hundred robots with a small team, relying on attention to detail, communication, and problem solving for a high-quality product and a quick turnaround.
~/projects

Projects

~/courses

Coursework

    Course descriptions for CSC 208, 301, 324, 341 and MAT 220 are adapted from Grinnell College's academic catalog and math department pages.

    ~/resume.pdf

    Resume

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    ~/contact

    Contact