Derek Wang
Computer Engineering at the University of Waterloo
I am an engineer driven by the pursuit of reliability. I build robust ecosystems where technical complexity is transformed into a seamless, intuitive experience. My goal is simple: create solutions that just work.
My favorite work lies at the intersection of perception and control, creating adaptive behaviors that not only navigate complex environments but are meticulously built for efficiency and real-time performance.
Currently, I'm contributing to developing at WATonomous, coding autonomous rovers.
In my spare time, you can find me on the badminton court, listening to music, or just walking around.
About Me
"Day's just started 😴"
I’m Derek Wang, a Computer Engineering student at the University of Waterloo passionate about robotics and software development. I enjoy using software as a tool to bridge ideas and reality, especially in systems where code and hardware come together.
My journey into software started in 2018 when I first programmed a robotic arm to life. Watching code translate into real, physical movement sparked my interest in building systems that extend beyond the screen. That experience shaped the way I approach engineering today.
Fast-forward to today, and I’ve had the privilege of competing internationally in VEX and FIRST Robotics for over six years, worked on multiple student-led design teams, and learned from countless mentors.
Tech Skills
Experience
Autonomous Self Driving Software Engineer · WATonomous
Autonomous Rovers in collab with UWaterloo Robotics Team(UWRT). Developing perception and navigation systems for autonomous vehicles.
- C++
- ROS2
- Docker
- CMake
- Foxglove
Autonomy Developer · Waterloo Aerial Robotics Group
Hardware in the Loop(HITL) Simulation. Working on autonomous systems development and testing in simulated environments.
- Python
- MAVLink
Youth Badminton Instructor · City of Richmond Hill
Taught Badminton @ Rouge Woods & Richvale Community Centers. Instructed youth in badminton fundamentals and techniques.
Robotics Software Programmer - VEX Robotics Competition · Checkmate Robotics Club
Coded routes for 16868C Rushdown Robotics, 5/80 in Ontario Provs Skills, Invited to 2025 V5RC Worlds. Developed autonomous navigation and control systems for competition robots.
- C++
- PID Controllers
- Odometry
Featured Projects
Featured Project
Coffee Chat Scheduler
An interactive booking platform that links to my Google account, allowing users to view available time slots and schedule coffee chats with me, with automatic calendar synchronization that adds events directly to their Google Calendar.
- React
- Python
- FastAPI
- PostgreSQL
- Google Calendar API
- Git
