baseURL: "https://me.marlow.boats" languageCode: "en-us" title: "Ash Marlow" theme: hugo-profile outputs: home: - "HTML" - "RSS" - "JSON" page: - "HTML" - "RSS" pagination: pagerSize: 3 markup: goldmark: renderer: unsafe: true Menus: main: - identifier: blog name: Blog title: Blog posts url: /blogs weight: 1 - identifier: projects name: Projects title: Projects url: /projects weight: 2 params: title: "Ash Marlow" description: My CV, Blog and Projects favicon: "/img/AM.ico" animate: true theme: defaultTheme: "dark" font: fontSize: 1rem # default: 1rem fontWeight: 400 # default: 400 lineHeight: 1.5 # default: 1.5 textAlign: left # default: left navbar: align: ms-auto # Left: ms-auto | center: mx-auto | right: me-auto | Default: ms-auto # brandLogo: "/logo.png" # Logo for the brand | default is the favicon variable # showBrandLogo: false # Show brand logo in nav bar | default is true disableSearch: false # searchPlaceholder: "Search" stickyNavBar: enable : true showOnScrollUp : true enableSeparator: false menus: disableAbout: false disableExperience: false disableEducation: false disableProjects: false disableAchievements: false disableContact: false about: enable: true title: "About me" image: "/img/me.jpg" content: |- I am a **Software Engineer** specializing in the intersection of hardware, security, and automation. My career has evolved from architecting firmware for IoT appliances at Panasonic to securing high-stakes MoD systems with Tanium at Pointwire. Currently, I’m at Nextbase, where I test firmware and cloud systems by building automation frameworks and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test environments. I’m a firm believer that if a task is worth doing twice, it’s worth automating once. Whether it's hunting down safety-critical bugs in microcontrollers or optimizing OTA update stability, I enjoy the challenge of making complex systems "bulletproof." When I’m not writing scripts or managing my Proxmox server, you’ll usually find me tinkering with my **HomeLab** setup, playing the piano, or heading out on a day trip with my dog. skills: enable: true title: "Tech stack & tools I'm currently leaning into:" items: - "Python (Automation)" - "Tanium (Certified Admin/Cloud)" - "Linux & Docker" - "Embedded (STM32 / ESP32)" - "Proxmox Virtualization" - "HIL Testing & Raspberry Pi" experience: enable: true items: - company: "Nextbase" companyUrl: "https://nextbase.co.uk/" jobs: - name: "Software QA Specialist" date: "June 2025 - present" content: | Currently driving software quality at Nextbase by bridging the gap between firmware development and automated validation. * **Automated Testing:** Developed Raspberry Pi-based automation scripts to replace manual verification of dashcam hardware. * **Stability Lead:** Specialized in long-duration stability and stress testing to ensure device reliability in extreme conditions. * **OTA Specialist:** Engineered test cases for Over-The-Air firmware updates, ensuring 100% success rates for end-user deployments. * **In-house Tooling:** Authored custom scripts for internal testing tools to accelerate the QA feedback loop. info: content: Working as a Test Engineer featuredItems: customIcons: - icon: /img/work/nb.jpeg url: "https://nextbase.co.uk/" tooltip: Nextbase - company: "Pointwire" companyUrl: "https://pointwire.com/" jobs: - name: "Technical Consultant" date: "June 2024 - June 2025" content: | Specialized in enterprise endpoint security and infrastructure management, focusing on the deployment and optimization of the Tanium ecosystem for high-security clients. * **Tanium SME:** Certified Operator, Administrator, and Cloud Specialist; led end-to-end deployments to improve global endpoint visibility and security posture. * **Government & Defence:** Maintained SC Clearance to deliver secure deployments on MoD systems, adhering to strict MoD security protocols. * **Virtualization & Testing:** Engineered a Proxmox-based lab environment to simulate customer networks, enabling risk-free validation of Tanium configurations and software updates. * **Custom Integration:** Developed a bespoke web application to interface with partner APIs, streamlining data flow between security platforms. * **Infrastructure & Networking:** Configured Windows Server environments, LDAP integrations, and complex VLAN architectures for secure system provisioning. * **Multi-Tool Proficiency:** Managed deployments of Deep Instinct (EPP) and Corelight (NDR) to provide layered defense-in-depth for clients. info: content: Cyber Security featuredItems: customIcons: - icon: /img/work/pointwire.png url: "https://pointwire.com/" tooltip: Example tooltip content - company: "Panasonic" companyUrl: "https://www.pmuk.co.uk/" jobs: - name: "Embedded Software Engineer" date: "April 2023 - June 2024" content: | Developed firmware for high-end, IoT-enabled smart home appliances, focusing on model-based design and automated endurance validation. * **Model-Based Development:** Leveraged **Simulink & Embedded Coder** to architect and generate production C code for **STM32** microcontrollers. * **IoT Innovation:** Co-led the software development for next-generation smart microwave ovens, integrating complex user functions with hardware constraints. * **Safety-Critical Testing:** Executed rigorous Unit Testing in Simulink and long-term endurance cycles, identifying a critical edge-case bug that prevented potential hardware failure. * **Test Automation:** Developed a Python-based automation framework to control appliance functions remotely, streamlining the verification of firmware builds. info: content: Software Engineer featuredItems: customIcons: - icon: /img/work/panasonic.jpg url: "https://www.pmuk.co.uk/" tooltip: Example tooltip content education: enable: true title: "Credentials & Education" index: false items: - title: "BSc Physics" school: name: "University of Bristol" url: "https://www.bristol.ac.uk/" date: "2018 - 2022" content: |- Final year project on developing Dye Sensitised Solar cells. Developed a strong mathematical foundation and analytical approach to complex problem-solving. * **Advanced Computational Physics** * **Environmental Physics** * **Material Physics** - title: "Tanium Certified" school: name: "Tanium" url: "https://www.tanium.com/" date: "2024" content: |- Successfully completed the professional certification track for Endpoint Management, specializing in Cloud architecture and security operations. * **Tanium Certified Operator** * **Tanium Certified Administrator** * **Tanium Certified Cloud Deployment Specialist** - title: "ISTQB Certified Tester (Foundation)" school: name: "ISTQB" url: "https://www.istqb.org/" date: "Expected 2026" content: |- Currently undertaking global certification in software testing principles and quality assurance methodologies. - title: "NVQ Level 3 - Equipment Maintenance Engineering" school: name: "British Army (REME)" url: "https://www.army.mod.uk/" date: "2011 - 2021" content: |- Served as a Class 1 Vehicle Mechanic. Specialized in fleet diagnostics and safety-critical maintenance. Also served as a Parachute Instructor, managing student safety and high-stakes risk mitigation for 900+ jumps. contact: enable: true # title: "Custom Name" content: My inbox is always open. Whether you have a question or just want to say hi, I’ll try my best to get back to you! btnName: Mail me btnLink: mailto:ash@ash-marlow.co.uk # formspree: # enable: true # `contact.email` value will be ignored # formId: abcdefgh # Take it from your form's endpoint, like 'https://formspree.io/f/abcdefgh' # emailCaption: "Enter your email address" # messageCaption: "Enter your message here" # messageRows: 5