Meet Bret Hassler – Embedded Software Team

At Punch Through, we encourage everyone to proudly be themselves and want you to know the people behind the work that we’re so proud of. That’s why we launched our “Meet the Team” series, where we introduce you to one of our team members each month. 

Meet Bret, a principal embedded firmware engineer, specializing in wireless communications and systems engineering. He likes spending time with his lovely wife and his two boys. He also enjoys any outdoor activities such as running, camping, hiking, biking, traveling, and seeing new places.

What were you doing before working at Punch Through?

I attended Valparaiso University and graduated with an Electrical Engineering degree. After graduation, I was in the Peace Corps where I taught high school math, physics, English, and computer skills in a rural village in Tanzania. I got a job working at Starkey Hearing Technologies where I worked on wireless products. While working at Starkey, I earned a Masters in Software Engineering through the University of MN. I was looking for a change and that brought me to Punch Through as a Firmware Engineer.

What is your favorite thing about Punch Through culture?

This is the first small company that I’ve worked at, and I like that we all know each other and can be ourselves. My coworkers bring their positivity to the workplace and we have a collaborative nature within the company. Everyone is willing to help and be taught by each other.

Tell me a story about your most memorable moment while working at Punch Through

I don’t have a specific moment, but the company trips are always a positive—to grow deeper relationships with co-workers. This leads to trust and an understanding of each other’s strengths, how we work, and how to better support one another.

What cool or rewarding things do you get to do on a regular basis?

One of the more rewarding aspects of the job is the opportunity to work with diverse clients on a wide array of projects. It’s cool to step in and provide the additional support and expertise they need to help them achieve their goals.

Another opportunity I personally find rewarding is our monthly engineering roundtable. It gives us a chance to learn from each other’s experiences and hear more about what everyone is working on.

What is the most valuable part of your work to you on a personal level?

Ultimately, it’s being able to build and deliver products. I love seeing a concept turned into reality. It’s satisfying to learn or design the intricacies of a system and then apply this toward creating a positive user experience.

What is different about Punch Through versus other places you have worked?

Punch Through’s engineering design services were new to me. Working with different types of clients has provided opportunities to jump into a variety of technical domains and work with different companies. I get to be exposed to other companies’ development cultures and their various strengths.