Embedded technologies are bringing smarter, safer, and more efficient solutions to life, whether it is through enablement of connected healthcare devices, smart energy systems, intelligent transportation, or environmental monitoring networks.
Gagan Batra, our next pathbreaker, is Systems and Applications Engineer at NXP Semiconductors (California), a global leader in designing and manufacturing secure, connected, and intelligent technologies.
Gagan talks to Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about a wireless sensor module based real-time waterflow detection system he developed during his university days that drew him towards the field of embedded systems due to their disruptive impact on the real world .
For students, try things. Break things. Build things. Every project, every mistake, every late-night debug session teaches you something. You don’t need to have it all figured out—just start somewhere and keep moving.
Gagan, can you share your background with our young readers?
I grew up in India, a place full of color, culture, and curiosity. From a young age, I was hooked on soccer—it wasn’t just a game, it was where I learned teamwork, strategy, and how to bounce back from failure. That mindset stuck with me.
In school, I was the kind of student who loved solving puzzles and figuring out how things worked. I remember spending hours building models for science fairs and experimenting with simple circuits using whatever materials I could find. My parents—my dad in a government job and my mom, a teacher—were my biggest supporters. They encouraged me to explore my interests, even when they didn’t fully understand them.
What did you do for graduation/post-graduation?
I did my BTech in ECE and then pursued Computer Engineering with a focus on Embedded Systems at the University of Cincinnati. It was there that theory met reality. One of my proudest moments was leading a government-funded project to build a smart waterflow sensor system. It wasn’t just a class project—it had real-world impact, and we even filed a patent for it. That experience taught me that innovation isn’t about flashy ideas—it’s about solving real problems.
What were some of the key influences that led you to such an offbeat, unconventional, and unique career in Semiconductors?
It all started with a school science fair where I built a clunky little robot that could follow a line. It wasn’t perfect, but it moved—and so did something inside me. I was hooked.
My high school physics teacher played a huge role. He didn’t just teach formulas—he made us think. Later, in college, I met a mentor who worked in embedded systems. He showed me how tech could help farmers, doctors, and even cities. That was my lightbulb moment: I wanted to build things that mattered.
How did you plan the steps to get into the career you wanted?
As a GRA at the University of Cincinnati, I developed a wireless sensor module using an ARM Cortex-M33 microcontroller and Zigbee to monitor water flow in household fixtures. I designed the embedded software, created a test PCB using EAGLE, and validated the system with a Python script on Raspberry Pi. I also built a signal processing algorithm in MATLAB and LabVIEW to distinguish water flow from noise, which is now being implemented on the microcontroller using ARM’s CMSIS DSP library.
I also worked on an FPGA-based elevator control system, where I designed and implemented a simple elevator logic using finite state machines. This project helped me strengthen my understanding of digital design, hardware description languages, and real-time control systems.
Another project I contributed to was a smartphone mimicker using a PIC24EP Mikromedia Board. I used Microchip’s MLA and GOL libraries to create a touchscreen interface that simulated smartphone features like PIN-based unlocking, wallpaper settings, temperature and time display, alarm clock, contacts access, and system resets. This project emphasized embedded GUI development and user interaction on resource-constrained devices.
After completing my MS degree, I joined NXP Semiconductors as a Systems and Applications Engineer. It was like stepping into a playground of innovation. I got to work on real-world embedded systems, especially in the Internet of Things (IoT) space—developing solutions for smart homes, connected devices, and environmental monitoring.
I didn’t have a perfect plan, but I had a mindset: stay curious, stay useful. I took online courses, asked a lot of questions, and said “yes” to projects that scared me a little. I also made it a point to attend tech meetups and conferences—not just to learn, but to connect with people who were building the future.
How did you get your first break?
One of the first moments that really boosted my confidence wasn’t a job—it was when my team’s project won first place at a national-level tech competition. We had built a prototype for a smart water management system, and presenting it to a panel of industry experts was both nerve-wracking and exciting.
That experience gave me a huge confidence boost. It was the first time I realized that my ideas could stand on their own and make an impact. It also taught me how to communicate technical concepts to a broader audience—something that’s helped me ever since.
Breaking into the semiconductor field in the US on a visa was definitely challenging and often exhausting. I actively attended career fairs organized by my university, connected with professors to ask about potential referrals, and reached out to alumni and professionals on LinkedIn to discuss open positions and request referrals. One of my professors even added me to a list where she regularly shared alumni referral opportunities, which was incredibly helpful. Despite facing numerous rejections, I kept practicing, preparing for interviews, and staying persistent. The process was long and tiring, but I believe that perseverance and consistent effort were key to eventually finding the right opportunity.
What were some of the challenges you faced ? How did you address them?
Challenge 1: Bridging the gap between theory and practice
College taught me the “what,” but the job demanded the “how.” I spent extra hours in the lab, learning from senior engineers and testing things hands-on.
Challenge 2: Communicating complex ideas
I used to think being a good engineer meant writing great code. Turns out, it also means explaining your ideas clearly. I practiced by giving mini-presentations and writing blog-style notes for my team.
Challenge 3: Keeping up with rapid tech changes
Tech moves fast. I made it a habit to learn something new every week—whether it was a tool, a framework, or just a better way to debug.
Where do you work now?
NXP Semiconductors is a global leader in designing and manufacturing secure, connected, and intelligent technologies. They create microcontrollers, processors, and sensors that power smart devices all around us. Their technology is used in IoT (Internet of Things) devices, smart homes, industrial systems, and even autonomous vehicles. Whether it’s helping a car drive safely, a smart speaker respond to your voice, or machines communicate in a factory, NXP plays a big role in making modern technology smarter and more connected.
I work at NXP Semiconductors as a Systems and Applications Engineer. My job is a mix of detective work and storytelling. I help customers solve technical issues, and I also create documentation and example projects that show how to use our products effectively.
What are the skills needed for your role? How did you acquire them?
You need to be a problem-solver, a good communicator, and always ready to learn. I built these skills through hands-on work, mentorship, and a lot of trial and error.
What’s a typical day like?
No two days are the same. Some days I’m deep in code, other days I’m testing hardware or writing guides. What I love most is knowing that my work helps others build cool, meaningful things.
How does your work benefit society?
Technology is only as powerful as the problems it solves. At NXP, I help bring smarter, safer, and more efficient solutions to life. Whether it’s enabling connected healthcare devices, smart energy systems, intelligent transportation, or environmental monitoring networks, our work touches lives in ways most people never see.
By supporting developers and companies in building reliable IoT solutions, I contribute to innovations that improve safety, sustainability, and quality of life. Even though I’m behind the scenes, I know that the tools and systems I help build are making the world a little better, one project at a time.
Tell us an example of a specific memorable work you did that is very close to you!
One project that really stayed with me was the real-time waterflow detection system I developed during my university days. What started as a research idea quickly turned into a full-scale challenge that tested everything I knew—and a lot I didn’t.
I faced constant hurdles: debugging hardware issues, refining sensor accuracy, rewriting code, and making repeated site visits to test the system in real-world conditions. Every failure taught me something new. I learned clever tricks to improve performance, how to troubleshoot under pressure, and most importantly, how to stay calm and focused when things didn’t go as planned.
One of the biggest lessons I took away was the importance of time management. Balancing this project with classes, assignments, and other responsibilities wasn’t easy. I had to plan my days carefully, break tasks into smaller goals, and stay consistent—even if it meant working on weekends. That discipline helped me not only complete the project but also enjoy the process of learning and building something meaningful.
Your advice to students based on your experience
Be curious. Be bold. And don’t be afraid to fail.
Try things. Break things. Build things. Every project, every mistake, every late-night debug session teaches you something. You don’t need to have it all figured out—just start somewhere and keep moving.
Find mentors, ask questions, and surround yourself with people who challenge and support you. And remember: your journey is your own. Make it count.
And one more thing—be consistent. Even small efforts every day add up to big results. For example, try solving one coding problem a day, no matter if it’s a weekday or weekend. That kind of steady progress builds confidence, skill, and momentum over time.
Future Plans?
Looking ahead, I want to continue growing as a technology leader and work on projects that have a meaningful impact on society. I’m especially interested in areas like sustainable technology, smart cities, and healthcare innovation—fields where embedded systems can make a real difference.
I also hope to mentor young engineers and contribute to open-source projects that make advanced technology more accessible. Eventually, I’d love to start my own tech initiative focused on solving local community problems through smart, affordable solutions.
The journey is ongoing, and I’m excited about the possibilities ahead!