Travis Defty

Travis Defty

Mechatronic & Systems Engineer · Cape Town, South Africa

Engineering, product, and operations don't always speak the same language. I work at their intersection — turning complex technical problems into systems that actually run.

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Current role

Cybarete · Head of Engineering Operations (Jan 2024 – present). Deep-tech startup building a multi-agent industrial automation platform for mining, manufacturing, and agritech.

Crew Pulse · Senior System Engineer (Mar 2024 – present). SaaS for manufacturers, developed out of Cybarete.

Skills

Business Development · Full-stack Development · Firmware and Embedded Systems · Technical Product Management · Project Management

Tools and tech I reach for

Tools: Notion, n8n (workflow automation without the SaaS tax), Google Suite, Cursor (AI-native — genuinely changes how I write code), Claude Code CLI & Mobile (agentic coding from terminal or phone), Docker, Fusion, KiCAD.

Languages & frameworks: JS & Svelte, SQLite (not every app needs Postgres), Erlang/Elixir OTP (the right model for concurrent, fault-tolerant systems), C/C++ (firmware — where abstraction leaks actually cost you), Python, Kotlin.

Industrial & comms: MQTT, OpenThread, Modbus RS-485 & TCP (still running most of the world's plant floor). Licensed amateur radio operator — ZS callsign. RF knowledge that feeds back into the work.

Exploring: TigerBeetle — a financial-grade accounting database (Zig-based, built for correctness at scale rather than bolting on transactions after the fact).

Industries

Mining: Hardware and software for safety and connectivity in underground mining (Africa).

Manufacturing: Software for labour productivity in job-shop manufacturing.

Logistics: Systems for consignment stock and warehouse management.

Agriculture: Product development for precision livestock farming.

Healthcare: Systems development and research for hospital management.

What I believe

Faith & Family

The anchor. My faith shapes how I approach people and hard decisions — with patience and honesty over speed and convenience. Family is the reason behind the work.

Honesty & Communication

Clear communication is the hardest skill in most technical teams — and the most valuable. I'd rather say something difficult plainly than let ambiguity fester.

Integrity & Value

I don't chase impressive-sounding work. I care whether it actually helps. Doing what I said I'd do, and making sure it counts.

People

Every system I build ultimately serves people. Understanding their constraints, motivations, and context is where real engineering starts — not with the tech.

Rest

Sustainable work requires intentional rest. I take it seriously, and think the people I work with should too.

Research

Books and articles I enjoy

  • The Ghost in the Machine — Arthur Koestler
    The core idea stayed with me; I keep finding it relevant across domains.
  • The Personal MBA — Josh Kaufman
    Clear, practical overview of business fundamentals; easy to dip back into.
  • AI Engineering — Chip Huyen (O'Reilly)
    Solid overview of how AI systems are built and the methods behind them.
  • Start with Why — Simon Sinek
    A simple principle that sharpens how I think about vision and direction.
  • Practicing the Way — John Mark Comer
    Life principles I return to, framed in a practical, down-to-earth way.
  • The Screwtape Letters — C.S. Lewis
    Principles that stick because of how vividly and creatively they're put.

I love a board game or two; Connect 4's one of my favourites. Keen to give it a go? Play against me.