# S6E8 Stephen B. Johnson | Embedded Systems, Python, & Personal Engineering Projects

- Show: [Being an Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer)
- Published: 2025-02-21
- Length: 44m
- Episode: 8
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-02-21-s6e8-stephen-b-johnson-embedded-systems-python-personal-engineering-projects

## Summary

Stephen B. Johnson, an electrical engineer with experience at Raytheon, Surecon, and TDS Telecommunications, discusses his career path from the Marine Corps to embedded systems and network automation. He details technical challenges at Raytheon, including managing obsolete components for the Patriot II missile and navigating internal corporate politics. Johnson also shares insights into his personal engineering projects, specifically an automated sprinkler system built with a Raspberry Pi and Python, and a custom home security system using software-defined radio to bypass subscription models.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-02-21-s6e8-stephen-b-johnson-embedded-systems-python-personal-engineering-projects#t=0) Introduction and Early Influences
- [5:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-02-21-s6e8-stephen-b-johnson-embedded-systems-python-personal-engineering-projects#t=330) Marine Corps Service and Engineering Foundation
- [9:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-02-21-s6e8-stephen-b-johnson-embedded-systems-python-personal-engineering-projects#t=586) Challenges at Raytheon: Patriot II and Obsolete Parts
- [14:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-02-21-s6e8-stephen-b-johnson-embedded-systems-python-personal-engineering-projects#t=847) Transition to Surecon and Embedded Systems
- [20:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-02-21-s6e8-stephen-b-johnson-embedded-systems-python-personal-engineering-projects#t=1250) Automated Sprinkler System Project
- [26:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-02-21-s6e8-stephen-b-johnson-embedded-systems-python-personal-engineering-projects#t=1565) Home Security System and Wireless Sensor Integration
- [31:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-02-21-s6e8-stephen-b-johnson-embedded-systems-python-personal-engineering-projects#t=1884) Programming Languages and Community
- [33:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-02-21-s6e8-stephen-b-johnson-embedded-systems-python-personal-engineering-projects#t=2032) Leadership Advice and Career Reflections

## Topics

- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises, early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Raytheon (company)
- Surecon Corporation (company)
- TDS Telecommunications (company)
- Raspberry Pi (chip)
- Patriot II (product)
- Python (tool)
- RTL-SDR (tool)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [An Interview with Gerry Roston](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-02-04-an-interview-with-gerry-roston) (The Amp Hour)
- [173: Everything's Amazing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-10-26-173-everythings-amazing) (Embedded.fm)
- [222: Virtual Bunnie](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-11-10-222-virtual-bunnie) (Embedded.fm)
- [498: To Consume Stickers](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-04-04-498-to-consume-stickers) (Embedded.fm)
- [302: Worst Book Ever](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-09-05-302-worst-book-ever) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

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