David Chen

David Chen

Head of Technology & Innovation | Systems Engineer

Modernizing business infrastructure, overcoming complex technical challenges, and bridging systems engineering with scalable digital solutions.

About Me

Driving Growth Through Modern Technology

As Head of Technology and Innovation, I strive to ensure that any technological challenges are overcome and that operations flow seamlessly while modernizing all aspects of the business.

Backed by a degree in Systems Engineering and Design from UIUC and 4 years of dedicated engineering leadership, my work combines rigorous technical analysis with hands-on full-stack development, cloud architecture, and operations research.

Experience & Leadership

Current Role

Head of Technology and Innovation

Cole Pallet Services Corporation

Directing technical strategy, system architecture, and operational modernization across manufacturing and corporate operations.

  • In-House ERP Development: Designed and deployed a custom, fully integrated ERP system to streamline inventory control, material tracking, and order fulfillment.
  • Plant Automation & Data Acquisition: Implemented automated production workflows and real-time data acquisition systems, significantly increasing throughput and saving operational hours.
  • IT Infrastructure Overhaul: Re-engineered enterprise IT infrastructure, modernizing server setups, network connectivity, and cybersecurity protocols for peak uptime.
  • Quality Control & Process Standardization: Established rigorous SOPs and automated quality control checkpoints to reduce defects and standardize plant operations.
Academic Background

Education

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Grainger College of Engineering | Aug 2018 to May 2022

B.S. in Systems Engineering and Design (GPA: 3.67/4.00)

Minor: Electrical and Computer Engineering (Concentration in Telecommunications)

Honors: Illinois State Scholar, Dean’s List (6 Semesters)

Coursework: Data Structures, Computer Systems & Programming, Analog & Digital Signal Processing, Control Systems, Deterministic Models in Optimization, Operations Research, Business Side of Engineering, Fields & Waves.

Technical Toolkit

Skills & Compentencies

Programming & Web Development

Python JavaScript TypeScript Angular Svelte HTML5 / CSS3 C/C++ MySQL PostgreSQL Google Apps Script cPanel OpenCV Tailwind WordPress

Engineering & Analytics Software

MATLAB Simulink LabVIEW Power BI Fusion 360 (CAD) iBwave (RF Design) Visio

Infrastructure, Tools & Environments

Docker VMware vSphere ESXi Git (GitHub / GitLab) VS Code Jira Confluence Windows Linux iOS/macOS Android PowerShell Cloudflare Supabase Arduino Raspberry Pi Hyper-V Google Cloud

Certifications & Languages

BSA Logo Eagle Scout Amateur Radio Logo Amateur Radio Operator (Extra Class) Six Sigma LogoLean Six Sigma (White Belt) English (Native) Mandarin Chinese (Professional Spoken) Spanish (Professional)
Beyond Work

Hobbies & Creative Pursuits

Photography & Cinematography

Capturing visual stories through digital photography, video production, and media content creation.

Amateur Radio & Hardware

Extra Class Amateur Radio Operator with a strong interest in telecommunications, RF design, and custom PC builds.

Music & Media Creation

Engaging in creative audio projects, music production, and online content creation outside of engineering hours.

Connect

Get in Touch

I'm always happy to have a chat! Whether you want to discuss tech leadership, system architecture, photography, amateur radio, or anything else, feel free to reach out!