Nicholas Bergantz

Sensible Robotics has created the next sensory technology, Robo Skin gives machines the sense of touch - allowing robots and humans to live and work harmoniously.

Periodic Labs is an a16z-backed AI materials-discovery company building autonomous lab infrastructure to accelerate physical science through AI-driven experimentation. I lead robotics integration, lab instrumentation automation, and control-system architecture under an agentic-first methodology spanning CI/CD, hiring, docs, and infrastructure. - Built and scaled the Automation Hardware team from 2 to 9 engineers (ME, EE, systems, controls, software) during rapid org growth. - Architected an agentic-first engineering platform: multi-agent AI orchestration, a shared custom skills library, RFC-style markdown specs as the canonical engineering artifact, and a self-healing Ansible + AWX fleet for 30+ lab hosts - letting infrastructure that once required a large team be run by a small team augmented with AI agents. - Architected and led a Linux/EtherCAT software-defined control stack, replacing the one-PLC-per-instrument model with a single hardware-agnostic host running at ms cycle times across multiple labs and 15+ target hosts. - Led inert-atmosphere, hands-free sample transport (FOUP + load port + AMR), applying semiconductor 300mm wafer-handling standards to materials science. - Delivered full automation pipelines for analytical instruments: protocol layers, sample scheduling/sequencing, LIMS integration, cloud artifact pipelines, and real-time desktop control apps. - Designed a multi-robot driver framework (UR, Brooks, Ava Robotics, Meca500) with a unified command schema, simulation backend, custom end effectors, and a computer-vision pipeline (Basler GigE + ChArUco calibration, real-time pose estimation). - Overhauled cross-discipline onboarding into agentic-first workflows, set team-wide architecture and DevOps standards, and managed contractors for hardware acceleration. Python, Swift, Zsh · Ansible/AWX, GitHub Actions, Claude Code (multi-agent), EtherCAT, RabbitMQ, AWS (S3/CodeArtifact), Qt, MuJoCo, OpenCV, Tailscale, 1Password

I co-founded TipTap Inc in 2018 with the mission to democratize payments, POS, and automation for small businesses, especially restaurants, food trucks, and cafes. Our flagship product, TapGrub, is an all-in-one contactless order-management and payment platform that empowers businesses to digitize ordering, eliminate lines, shrink time from table to kitchen, and boost margins, while giving customers a seamless, “tap to order & pay” experience via their own phones (QR/NFC-token + web). TapGrub Business enables merchants to build interactive menus, generate NFC/QR tokens, and manage orders and payments without expensive hardware or subscriptions. At the core of our technology lies our patented transaction infrastructure (e.g. US11455615B1 / US11334865) — a system that links mobile devices with token-identifier devices (NFC/RFID/QR) to securely process contactless payments or gratuities. This IP underpins TapGrub’s ability to deliver fast, secure, app-free ordering and payments, bridging between diners’ phones and vendor backend systems. My engineering vision, as CTO, centers on blending usability, data security, and robust payment mechanics, allowing even small, independent vendors to operate with POS-level efficiency while delivering first-class user experience to customers.

• Spearhead strategic initiatives within a multidisciplinary team to architect and deliver robotic automation solutions for Apple product testing, driving quality and efficiency at scale. • Oversee the design, development, and deployment of advanced robotic test systems, serving as the primary decision-maker and technical lead across multiple high-impact technology domains. • Drive cross-functional alignment by partnering with engineering, design, and QA teams to identify and execute test strategies that address both immediate and long-term product validation challenges. • Lead data-driven assessments of system performance and quality; synthesize test outcomes to influence product design decisions and advocate for exceptional end-user experience. • Championed the integration of EtherCAT-based IPC infrastructure into Apple’s test platforms, leading full lifecycle implementation including simulation environments and engineering diagnostic tools. • Provide strategic mentorship and technical guidance to engineers across disciplines, cultivating a high-performance team environment focused on scalable and innovative robotic systems. • Lead the delivery of full-system automation platforms for emerging technologies, ensuring robust test coverage and validation at both subsystem and product levels. • Coordinate with product design, hardware, and software teams to establish comprehensive, system-level validation plans that drive consistent product quality across programs. • Direct the development of robotic systems replicating human interaction modalities—such as optical tracking and touch simulation—enabling high-fidelity testing of AR/VR interfaces and displays. • Architect and manage complex testing frameworks incorporating real-time closed-loop control, EtherCAT motion, DSP pipelines, and automated metrology for AR/VR systems, ensuring alignment with product performance goals.

• Lead cross-functional robotics programs as Design Authority, overseeing the full system lifecycle—from concept through qualification, integration, and continuous improvement (CIP). Drive end-to-end execution including Q&R, supplier management, embedded firmware, and multi-axis direct drive robotic system design. • Spearhead strategic technology development, collaborating with industry experts and the Office of the CTO to assess trends and define long-term roadmaps. Author specifications, best-known methods (BKMs), and procedural standards to scale technology adoption. • Influence supplier and cost strategies, supporting Manufacturing Program Management (MPM) and Commodity Business Management (CBM) in supplier development, technology readiness, and cost reduction initiatives. • Manage and mentor high-performing teams and external partners in the development, deployment, and optimization of precision robotic systems. Champion knowledge-sharing through training and peer development, reinforcing a culture of technical excellence and innovation. Details: Member of Technical Staff, Program manager for robotic suppliers. Reseacher for supporting robotic technology roadmap. Robotic systems architect for business unit applications. -Atmospheric/Wet Robotics, Multi-axis coordinated motion, DEA -Design, integration, validation, reliability, PQP, CIP, and 8D for company-wide common robotic platforms including embedded firmware development and design of multi-axis direct drive robotics. Support and develop technology roadmap in conjunction with Office of CTO. Author specification, procedures, BKMs. Support MPM and CBM in supplier development. - Manage small team/suppliers in development / application of robotic systems. Train and mentor peers in robotics.

Goal: Development of an electrodynamic plasma thruster for sub orbital / orbital spaceflight.

Lam and Novellus Merger, Highlights: • Manage, Design, and Ramp new robotic platforms providing additional technology capability while reducing MCost for new platforms by 65% over existing robotic solutions. • Drove and Solved Critical Failure Analysis with respect to production chambers covering over 120 system failures and preserved continued business at over $1.5M per system. • Authored automated platform testing software which provides systematic EOL testing and automated publishable test data report • Lead Production Efforts to scope, train, and build out contract manufacturing lines spanning from BOM procurement to operational methods development. • Developed and programmed automated test stands for EOL robot validation and quality control. Integrated software and data systems into a centralized database for easy access and summarization of test data. Details: Develop, test, and design new product for robotic wafer handling applications in semiconductor processes. Support existing products for failures. Pro Engineer/Mechanica/Mechanism, Excel, Labview, C, Lua, Direct Drive Servo-control, PeCVD material deposition, root cause analysis • Vector LTM, Servo Spindle, Sabre-3D Front End Robot, Vibration Sequencing • Manage design from customer requirements through to CM ramp. Design, validation, and develop new as well as cost reduction robotic systems including managing embedded firmware developers. Ramp contract manufacturers. Perform FA/8D • Manage designers, engineers and technicians. One patent issued, two disclosure submissions

Highlights: • Manage, Design, and Ramp new robotic platforms providing additional technology capability while reducing MCost for new platforms by 65% over existing robotic solutions. • Drove and Solved Critical Failure Analysis with respect to production chambers covering over 120 system failures and preserved continued business at over $1.5M per system. • Authored automated platform testing software which provides systematic EOL testing and automated publishable test data report • Lead Production Efforts to scope, train, and build out contract manufacturing lines spanning from BOM procurement to operational methods development. • Developed and programmed automated test stands for EOL robot validation and quality control. Integrated software and data systems into a centralized database for easy access and summarization of test data. Details: Develop, test, and design new product for robotic wafer handling applications in semiconductor processes. Support existing products for failures. Pro Engineer/Mechanica/Mechanism, Excel, Labview, C, Lua, Direct Drive Servo-control, PeCVD material deposition, root cause analysis • Vector LTM, Servo Spindle, Sabre-3D Front End Robot, Vibration Sequencing • Manage design from customer requirements through to CM ramp. Design, validation, and develop new as well as cost reduction robotic systems including managing embedded firmware developers. Ramp contract manufacturers. Perform FA/8D • Manage designers, engineers and technicians. One patent issued, two disclosure submissions

Highlights: • Lead small team of designers and drafters on program critical tiger team, 40 day design to build turn around, in order to demonstrate key technology for troop protection in Iraq • Routinely presented design reviews to senior government officials and their respective staff for design readiness and technical details. • As Subsystem lead, Design, Integrate, and Ramp various vehicular subsystems ranging amongst automatic door systems, fuel delivery systems, pneumatics, hydraulics, and armor for use in combat military vehicles. Notable programs: JLTV, MRAP, M2/M3 Bradley, CTV+, MATV Details: - Design and develop mechatronic systems - JLTV/MRAP/Bradley Common Chassis design lead - Customer communications, lead vehicle subsystem design, present detailed design reviews of product to GAO and TACOM - Study customer and derived system requirements, create layout, and detailed design size and/or select system components, manage and procure BOM - Optimize subsystem SWaP-C, provide trade, static, dynamic, flow, cost, FEA,FMEA and space studies - Develop design in CAD and create detailed drawings, explore/implement - Budget time and manage CAS and WAM. COTS alternatives, coordinate suppliers - Ramp production of final product

Client Account Engineer, satisfy customer technical requests, maintain and deploy solutions - Model Server QA - Design customer models - Quote, estimate, and plan billable project time - Establish NDA's, study client’s designs, and provide market interface data to servers - Manage outsourced projects, QA product and provide parametric CAD design support

Mechatronics Engineering Entrepreneurship (Wharton) Embedded Software Robotics and Machine Vision Material Sciences

Focus in Material Sciences