David Young

Cape Town, South Africa

Hey there! I’m a fast learner, which is great because life keeps throwing new things at me. I pick up skills quickly, and thanks to my top-tier executive functioning (I make great to-do lists), I can actually put them to use. Strategic planning? Love it. Problem-solving? Sign me up. Finding creative solutions? That’s my jam.

I’ve been homeschooled since forever, which means I mastered the fine art of self-discipline and time management before most people figured out how to set an alarm clock. Deadlines don’t scare me—I thrive on them. I also have a healthy respect for authority, which really just means I know when to listen and when to ask, "But what if we tried it this way instead?"

Basically, I’m always learning, always improving, and always ready for a new challenge. Let’s make something awesome.

Experience

Intern Developer

Arixian

Arixian is a tech startup who develops AI-driven security solutions that detect and deter intruders in real-time.

During my internship at Arixian, I was involved in developing a microservice for secure video streaming. My responsibilities included:

  • Developing microservices using Python.
  • Implementing secure communication protocols.
  • Creating Docker images and setting up CI/CD pipelines.
  • Collaborating with the team to enhance system security and performance.

This microservice was designed to securely stream video data from cameras to the cloud, ensuring that the data was encrypted and protected from unauthorised access. My work at Arixian provided me with valuable experience in developing secure and scalable microservices, as well as insights into the challenges of real-world security applications.

Learn more about Arixian at their homepage.

Technologies used: Python, Docker, GitLab, CI/CD, Security Protocols

November 2023 - January 2024

iOS App Developer

Oobalink

Oobalink is a brand under the ooba Group, a major home loan originator in South Africa, comprising franchisees who operate under ooba's umbrella to provide home loan origination services.

During my time with Oobalink, I was responsible for developing a fully interactive iOS app prototype for streamlining the process of capturing a client's home loan application details. This prototype was designed to simulate all user interactions and workflows as they would occur in a final, production-ready application, but without a backend server. My responsibilities included:

  • Designing and implementing the user interface with SwiftUI.
  • Creating interactive forms and data entry fields.
  • Managing app data flow and state.
  • Implementing local storage solutions.
  • Setting up local notifications for users.

This prototype served as a proof of concept to demonstrate the potential of a full-fledged app, allowing stakeholders to experience the proposed functionalities and interactions firsthand. The project provided valuable insights into user experience design and local app capabilities without relying on server-side components.

Learn more about ooba at their homepage.

Technologies used: Swift, SwiftUI, GitHub, XCode

October 2020 - March 2021

Sales Manager

Funky Chickens

Funky Chickens sold free-range organic meat online and at markets. My responsibilities included:

  • Invoicing.
  • Stock management.
  • Monitoring sales performance and setting targets.
  • Handling customer inquiries and complaints.
  • Handling all sales and marketing activities.

Technologies used: Microsoft Excel, Yoco

2016 - 2019

Volunteering

IEEE ComSoc Logo IEEE Communications Society

Student Volunteer

Volunteered at the IEEE Communications Society Global Communications Conference (GLOBECOM) 2024 in Cape Town, supporting the organisation and execution of conference activities.

  • Assisted in ensuring smooth operations of sessions and technical presentations.
  • Collaborated with a diverse team of professionals, academics, and students.
  • Gained insights into advanced technologies like 6G, Semantic Communication, and cell-free mobile networks.

Skills: Event Management · Conference Coordination · Team Coordination · Professional Communication

Read more about my experience on LinkedIn.

8 Dec - 12 Dec 2024

Education

UCT Logo University of Cape Town

BSc(Eng) Electrical and Computer Engineering
Cumulative GPA: 64.7% (Proof that engineering is, in fact, hard)
Special skills acquired: Debugging at 3 AM, surviving on caffeine, and making circuits do what they’re supposed to (eventually).
Notable Results:
  • EEE3097S: Engineering Design: ECE - 85% (Where I peaked)
  • EEE4120F: High Performance Embedded Systems - 83% (Basically, making tiny computers work really fast)
  • MAM2048S: Linear Algebra and Differential Equations - 81% (Maths. Lots of it)
  • EEE4124C: Impact of Engineering on Natural and Social Environments - 80% (Figured out how to engineer stuff without destroying the planet)
  • EEE4022S: Research Project (FERS) - 78% (The part where I pretended to be a scientist)
2020 - 2024

Cambridge Logo Cambridge AS Level, Homeschool

Subjects: Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science
Final aggregate: 82% (Turns out, homeschooling doesn’t mean slacking)
2018 - 2020

Cambridge Logo Cambridge IGCSE Level, Homeschool

Subjects: English (first Language), Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics
Final aggregate: 81% (A solid effort, considering most of my studying was done in pajamas)
2016 - 2018

Projects

University Projects

This undergraduate thesis project involved modernising the Flexible, Extensible Radar Simulator (FERS), a C++98/03 radar simulation tool, to meet C++20/23 standards. Key goals were to improve performance, maintainability, and compatibility with modern systems, making FERS more efficient and future-ready.

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This project implemented data compression and encryption on the STM32F051 Discovery Board to securely transmit sensor data from Antarctic buoys via the Iridium satellite network. The system uses LZSS for compression and Blowfish for encryption, ensuring data integrity and reducing transmission costs.

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This project evaluates the performance of MD5 and MD6 hashing algorithms across C++, OpenCL, and Verilog implementations, highlighting the trade-offs between software and hardware approaches and demonstrating the advantages of parallel processing for cryptographic applications.

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This project focuses on developing a TOPSIS-based algorithm for selecting the optimal Radio Access Technology (RAT) in Heterogeneous Wireless Networks (HWNs), considering criteria such as signal strength, data rate, and delay to enhance network performance and user experience.

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Enviro-Sense is a wireless sensor network designed to monitor temperature and humidity at raptor nesting sites. The system uses ESP32-PICO-D4 microcontrollers, Raspberry PI Zero's, and DHT11 sensors to collect and transmit data efficiently. It focuses on cost-effective and reliable environmental monitoring, with real-time data transmission and power-efficient strategies.

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This project involved a simulated investment journey on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange (JSE), where strategic investment decisions were made to maximise returns and manage risks. The project included comprehensive financial analysis and resulted in a total profit of R1,037.24.

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Skills

Programming Languages

(AKA: Ways I communicate with computers... sometimes successfully)
  • Python—Where I go when I actually want things to work.
  • C++—Because sometimes, you just need more speed and pain.
  • Flutter—I dabble in mobile dev when I feel like suffering.
  • C—I can write "Hello, World!" to stdout and that counts!

Tools & Technologies

(AKA: Things I use to make my life easier... or harder, depending on the day)
  • Docker—I put things in containers. Sometimes, they even work.
  • JetBrains IDEs—I let IntelliJ think for me.
  • GitHub—Git commit messages range from “fixed bug” to “please work.”
  • Ubuntu—I use Linux, which means I automatically gain +10 tech cred.
  • Google Cloud—I pretend to know what I’m doing with cloud computing.

General Skills

(Other things I claim to be good at)
  • Problem-Solving—Mostly problems I created myself.
  • Project Management—Starting ambitious projects, then ghosting them like a bad Tinder date.
  • Professional Communication—I can write emails that sound like I know what I’m doing.
  • System Design—I over-engineer things that should’ve been a simple script.
  • Academic Writing—Fancy words, lots of citations, minimal sleep.
  • Vibe Coding—I tell the AI what I want, it generates code, I pretend I did all the work.

Bonus Skills

(The real skills that matter)
  • Googling Errors—Stack Overflow and ChatGPT are my real co-workers.
  • Speedrunning Debugging—Fixing a bug in 5 minutes that I spent 5 hours creating.
  • League of Legends Endurance—Nearly 3,000 hours in and still questioning my life choices.
  • Cat Whispering—Trying (and failing) to earn the respect of my cats.
  • Selective Socialization—Can interact with humans... but prefers not to.

Interests

I spend most of my time indoors, where the WiFi is strong and the social interaction is minimal. My interests include technology, gaming, and convincing my cats that I am worthy of their affection.

Gaming: Where Most of My Free Time Goes

With almost 3,000 hours in League of Legends, I’ve experienced the full spectrum of human emotions—mostly regret. I enjoy competitive games that challenge my strategic thinking (and patience), but I also play for fun... at least that’s what I tell myself.

Programming & The Art of Abandoning Projects

I love coming up with cool programming projects. Finishing them? Not so much. I’ll get a burst of inspiration, dive headfirst into coding, and then, somewhere around the halfway mark, move on to the next exciting idea. It’s a cycle, but hey, it keeps life interesting.

Cybersecurity & Privacy: Paranoia, But Make It Productive

I take digital security seriously—partly because it fascinates me and partly because I don’t trust the internet. I enjoy keeping up with cybersecurity trends, testing new security techniques, and making sure my data is locked down tighter than a vault.

Cats: The Ultimate Companions

I like cats. They don’t ask too many questions, respect personal space, and judge silently—qualities I deeply admire.

Awards & Certifications

  • Golden Key International Honour Society Member View Proof of Membership
  • Distinctions in Final Year Project, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Linear Algebra & Diff Eq., Engineering Design, and High Performance Embedded Systems
  • Toastmaster’s Youth Leadership Program (2016)