Carl Kamper

Email: carl@carlk.org GitHub: github.com/Carltk LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/carltk Location: Sydney/Australia —

Summary

  • Engineer working across six domains that rarely sit in one person: embedded firmware, PCB design, backend services, database architecture, full-stack web, and AI/LLM tooling.
  • Currently architecting and building WebFMS — a ground-up Go and PostgreSQL replacement for a 30-year-old commercial platform, spanning binary device comms, REST API, web frontend, and automated data migration.
  • Sole developer of a commercial fuel and fleet management product line with 900+ installations across Australia, owned end to end from the circuit board to the reporting layer.
  • Specialist in bridging legacy and modern systems: Access97 databases exposed to LLMs through custom MCP servers, VB6 platforms migrated to Go and PostgreSQL, serial protocols carried onto TCP/IP.
  • Field-grounded. Began by installing and servicing these systems on customer sites, which still shapes how the products get designed.

Technical Skills

Current

Languages Go, Python, TypeScript, JavaScript, C++, Shell scripting

Web & Frontend Go/Templ, HTMX, Alpine.js, Tailwind CSS

Database PostgreSQL (schema design, row-level security, multi-tenancy), SQL Server, Microsoft Access/Jet, SQLite

AI & LLM Tooling MCP (Model Context Protocol) server development, Claude API integrations, autonomous agent system design and operation

Embedded & IoT ESPHome, Arduino, ESP32, I²C / Two-Wire protocols, custom component development in C++

DevOps & Infrastructure Docker, Linux system administration, Unraid NAS/server management, Proxmox virtualisation, Samba AD-DC, NodeRed, Google Workspace administration

Hardware & EDA KiCad PCB design and schematic capture, embedded C firmware, serial and TCP/IP protocols

Test and Debug Tools AccessDB schema update and editing tool, Internal protocol analysis tool, Test harnesses, Demo system simulator

Legacy Systems (maintained)

VB6, Crystal Reports (v6 & v11), Microsoft Access/Jet, Assembler (8051, 68HC08), Embedded C (Dynamic C), Protel 99SE, DBase III, Forth, R&R Reports

Experience

Senior R&D Engineer | Datafuel Financial Systems | 2005–present

Datafuel Financial Systems develops and supports computerised fleet and fuel management database solutions, with 900+ installations across Australia serving transport companies and local government clients.

Responsibilities: Lead R&D across embedded hardware, firmware, and PC-side software for the full product range. Secondary responsibility for all company IT infrastructure.

Platform Modernisation — WebFMS (2026–present)

  • Architect and sole developer of WebFMS, a clean-slate replacement for the company’s 30-year-old Access/VB6 platform: a Go monorepo comprising a device communications server, REST API, web frontend, and migration tooling, on PostgreSQL.
  • Built the automated Access-to-PostgreSQL migration path, including schema auditing tooling that surfaced whole classes of silent data loss the previous process could not detect.
  • Designed multi-tenant data isolation on PostgreSQL row-level security, enabling a hosted deployment to run alongside existing on-premise installations.
  • Ported the binary console communications protocol from VB6 to a declarative, table-driven Go codec, verified byte-exact against live production data.

Embedded Hardware & Firmware

  • Designed the Distributed Device Pump Controller (DDPC) — a new hardware product taken through four hardware revisions (V1–V4, 2020–2021), enabling addition of a low-level pump to the standard console without full hardware replacement.

  • Designed and manufactured multiple interface PCBs: Low Voltage Nozzle Switch Module (2024), DF6000 High Voltage Control Board providing a self-powered 240V pump interface (2025), NZ Protocol Personality Module (V2, 2025) for New Zealand pump market.

  • Continuously evolved the Rabbit Console embedded firmware (2017–2025): Long Range Reader, Combi multi-reader support, DDPC integration, Ampol NFC/swipe card support, Franklin Progauge tank monitoring, New Zealand protocol pumps.

  • Leading investigation into replacement SOM controller for the end-of-life Rabbit module (2025 onwards).

    PC Software

  • Developed WSRelay (2024) — a self-hosted communications relay solving field connectivity for ~90 customer sites after Telstra dropped free routable IPs for 4G modems.

  • Delivered multiple major version releases of the fleet/fuel management PC platform (2017–2026), including DDPC controller support, wireless tank monitoring API integration, NFC card support, and AWS-compatible networking.

  • Developed DB Merge Utility (database consolidation), VU Audit Report (linear regression-based odometer calibration tool), and Programming Data Import (electronic bulk programming from external systems).

  • Delivered approximately 70 custom reports and data exports for customers (2017–2026).

    IT Infrastructure

  • Migrated the company from Microsoft-hosted Exchange to Google Workspace (2022).

  • Built and maintain an Unraid-based NAS and container hosting platform running Unifi network management, Paperless document management, Frigate IP camera management, NodeRed automation, and other internal services.

  • Migrated Active Directory from failed Small Business Server to a Proxmox-based server hosting Samba AD-DC, workstation relay, and ancillary services.

  • Developed Google Docs / Accelo CRM API integration to automate delivery docket generation from ticket materials lists (2025).

    Personal R&D (adjacent work)

  • Built MCP server integrations in Go and Python to expose legacy Access97 databases to AI assistants — bridging decades-old data infrastructure with modern LLM tooling.

  • Maintain and extend large bodies of legacy VB6 application code, Crystal Reports templates, and Access/Jet-based systems in active production use.

R&D Engineer / IT Systems Support | Datafuel Financial Systems | 2002–2005

  • Led research and development activities, evaluating and prototyping new hardware and software approaches for the product platform.
  • Redeveloped the company’s core embedded software platform in embedded C, ensuring backwards compatibility with all system databases and reporting software.
  • Produced specifications and initial versions of the new hardware platform.
  • Key in the specification and implementation of a company-wide IT infrastructure based on Windows Server 2003, delivering Exchange, CRM and accounting functions.
  • Provided internal IT systems support across the company’s development and office infrastructure.

Hardware / Software Engineer | Datafuel Financial Systems | 1996–2002

  • Designed and developed embedded hardware and firmware for field-deployed fuel management units, using Protel 99SE for PCB schematic capture and layout.
  • Member of the development team that rewrote the core software platform for Windows — enabling the company to capture substantial upgrade revenue on release.
  • Contributed to PC-side software development using VB6, SQL/Jet, and Crystal Reports.
  • Worked with serial communication protocols and TCP/IP networking for device connectivity.
  • Worked closely with a technical consultant on two large contracts developing highly customised industrial control solutions.

Service Technician / Software Engineer | Datafuel Financial Systems | 1994–1996

  • Transitioned from field service into a hybrid role combining on-site technical support with in-house software development.
  • Developed an understanding of the core system’s underlying data structures to provide customised functionality and reporting features.
  • Produced a range of system enhancements based on sales department feature requests and user requirements.

Service & Commissioning Technician | Datafuel Financial Systems | 1990–1994

  • Installed, commissioned, and serviced computerised fleet and fuel management systems at customer sites across Australia.
  • Transformed the service and installation department into an effective, productive unit with high customer satisfaction.
  • Diagnosed and repaired hardware faults in field-deployed units; trained interstate agents and contractors to deliver a consistent service standard.
  • Produced end-user and technical documentation.

Assistant Communications Officer | Aussat (predecessor to Optus) | April–October 1990

  • Maintained the Aussat Citylink satellite data communications system, working alongside an engineer responsible for smooth operation of the intercity data link.

Personal Projects

Selected repositories at github.com/Carltk:

  • mcp-accessdb-go — Go MCP server providing AI assistant access to legacy Access97 databases; bridges 30-year-old data infrastructure with modern LLM tooling.
  • mcp-server-access-mdb-with-access97 — Python MCP server supporting both modern Access/SQLite and legacy Access97 formats.
  • luckfox-ui (source release pending) — config-driven touchscreen dashboard for the Luckfox Pico (RV1103, ARM Cortex-A7) in pure Go: CGO disabled, stdlib only, driving the Linux framebuffer and evdev touchscreen through raw ioctls.
  • NZ_Proto_PMod — KiCad hardware design for a protocol personality module: schematic, PCB layout, and separate master and slave boards.
  • esphome-custom-adc — custom ADC component for ESPHome in C++.

Education

Electronics Engineering Certificate — Credit Grade Higher School Certificate — 80–85th percentile

Interests

Cycling, skiing, hiking, snorkelling, weight training, nutrition, yoga, electronics and personal technology projects, motorcycling.