San Diego, CA  ·  Full-stack & embedded systems

Donovan Zeto

Computer Engineering student at San Diego State University who works the whole stack — from interrupt-driven firmware on bare microcontrollers, up through Flask services and SQL pipelines, out to the JavaScript that makes the data make sense. I like the layers where hardware stops making excuses and software has to be correct.

See the work hi@donovanzeto.com
  • FocusSystems & Embedded
  • DegreeB.S. CompE · May 2027
  • Languages8+
  • StatusBuilding
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01

About

I got into engineering from two directions at once: writing 185 lines of MIPS assembly to make a grid simulation actually move, and standing in front of a room of kids explaining why the robot did what it did.

Both taught me the same thing — a system you can't explain is a system you don't understand. So I work close to the metal when it matters (interrupt timing, ADC sampling, electrical noise on a serial line) and stay pragmatic when it doesn't (ship the Flask route, cut the redundant query, log everything).

Right now I'm a software engineer at the World Computing Organization, building full-stack data pipeline tooling, and an Operations Lead at Shawarma Guys, where I own the POS system end to end. The second one isn't on most engineering resumes — but administering a live transactional system under peak-hour load, and training people to not break it, is the same job with different stakes.

02

Experience

Technical work up top, everything else below it — all of it shipped something real.

  1. Software Engineer

    World Computing Organization

    Current 2024 — Present

    Full Stack Data Pipeline Application

    Flask · SQL · REST APIs · JavaScript

    • Built a full-stack web application integrating a SQL database, REST APIs, and dynamic JavaScript visualizations for interactive data exploration.
    • Wrote backend logic for data processing, input validation, and automated workflows — restructuring queries and routing to cut redundant backend calls.

    Automation Tooling

    Python · Bash

    • Wrote modular Python and Bash scripts for workflow automation, file processing, and system diagnostics.
    • Added structured logging and error handling so the tooling stays maintainable by someone who didn't write it.
    FlaskSQLRESTJavaScriptPythonBash

  2. Computer Science Researcher

    Code Research Lab

    2022 — 2024

    Pac Pursuit

    MIPS Assembly

    • Engineered a grid-based simulation environment in 185 lines of MIPS assembly, implementing real-time path movement and collision detection logic.
    • Validated correctness against 5 functional test cases using memory inspection and instruction-level trace tools, over a 2-month build cycle.

    Smart Sensor Module

    Embedded C · ADCs · UART

    • Built a microcontroller-based embedded system integrating sensors and ADCs with interrupt-driven firmware for real-time sampling and filtering.
    • Programmed UART serial output for sensor data transmission, resolving hardware/software timing and electrical-noise integration issues.
    MIPSEmbedded CUARTADCsFirmwareDebugging

  3. Operations Lead

    Shawarma Guys · La Mesa, CA

    Current Mar 2024 — Present
    • Configured and administered the POS system end-to-end — menu items, pricing structures, and user permissions.
    • Trained and onboarded staff on POS operation and troubleshooting; became the go-to resource for system issues during service.
    • Redesigned front-of-house workflows around the POS to reduce order errors and wait times during peak-hour rushes.
    Systems AdminAccess ControlProcess DesignTraining

  4. Teaching Associate

    Cajon Valley Union School District · El Cajon, CA

    Aug 2021 — Aug 2024
    • Designed original STEM and robotics curriculum, structuring project-based lessons around logical reasoning and problem-solving.
    • Ran group instruction and hands-on robotics-kit sessions, adapting curriculum pacing to student comprehension.
    • Coordinated with staff to standardize lesson structure and reasoning-based teaching methods across sessions.
    Curriculum DesignRoboticsInstructionMentorship

  5. Associate

    San Diego Gasoline · San Diego, CA

    Jun 2020 — Aug 2021
    • Performed routine equipment diagnostics and safety checks, identifying and resolving system issues to maintain uninterrupted station operation.
    DiagnosticsSafetyUptime
03

Selected Work

/01 Full Stack

Full Stack Data Pipeline Application

A web application that takes a SQL database and makes it explorable. REST APIs on the backend, dynamic JavaScript visualizations on the front, and a processing layer in between doing validation and automated workflows. Reworked the query and routing structure to eliminate redundant backend calls.

  • SQL schema + REST API surface
  • Interactive JS visualization layer
  • Input validation & automated workflows
  • Query/routing restructure for fewer round trips
FlaskSQLREST APIsJavaScript
World Computing Organization · 2024 — Present
/02 Low Level

Pac Pursuit

A grid-based simulation environment written in 185 lines of MIPS assembly — real-time path movement and collision detection with no runtime, no library, and no safety net. Two-month build cycle, debugged with memory inspection and instruction-level traces.

  • Real-time movement on a grid
  • Collision detection in raw assembly
  • 5 functional test cases validated
  • Instruction-level trace debugging
MIPS AssemblySimulationTesting
Code Research Lab · 2022 — 2024
/03 Embedded

Smart Sensor Module

A microcontroller-based embedded system pairing sensors with ADCs under interrupt-driven firmware for real-time sampling and filtering, streaming out over UART. Most of the work was where the datasheet stops: timing between hardware and software, and electrical noise on the line.

  • Interrupt-driven real-time sampling
  • ADC integration + signal filtering
  • UART serial data transmission
  • HW/SW timing & noise debugging
Embedded CADCsUARTFirmware
Code Research Lab · 2022 — 2024
/04 Tooling

Automation Tooling Suite

Modular Python and Bash scripts covering workflow automation, file processing, and system diagnostics. Built with structured logging and real error handling — the goal was tooling that stays maintainable after the person who wrote it moves on.

  • Modular, composable script design
  • File processing pipelines
  • System diagnostics utilities
  • Structured logging + error handling
PythonBashLinux
World Computing Organization · 2024 — Present
04

Stack & Education

▚ Languages

  • Python
  • C++
  • Java
  • JavaScript
  • SQL
  • Bash
  • MIPS Assembly
  • Embedded C

▚ Frameworks & Tools

  • Flask
  • REST APIs
  • Git
  • Linux
  • UART
  • ADCs
  • Microcontrollers

▚ Concepts

  • Data Structures
  • Algorithms
  • System Design
  • Embedded Systems
  • Simulation Logic
  • Software Testing & Debugging

San Diego State University

B.S. in Computer Engineering

San Diego, CA  ·  Expected May 2027

Relevant Coursework
  • Data Structures & Algorithms
  • Computer Organization & Architecture
  • Digital Logic Design
  • Embedded Systems
  • Discrete Mathematics
05

Contact

Let's build
something good.

Always up for a conversation about low-level systems, backend architecture, or teaching kids to code. The fastest way to reach me is email.

Email hi@donovanzeto.com Phone (619) 510-9353 LinkedIn in/donovan-zeto Based in San Diego, CA