about mitch k

My professional journey has been less of a straight line and more of a winding path through the fascinating landscapes where the digital and the physical worlds meet. I’m Mitch K, and my career has been shaped by a deep and persistent curiosity for how things work—whether it’s a line of code, a complex network, or a precision-milled piece of steel. It’s a path defined by a passion for not just understanding systems, but for building, refining, and making them better.

My story began in the Netherlands, in the fast-paced world of technology. It was there I first learned the art of translation: taking the complex potential of new hardware and software and turning it into tangible solutions for people. This role evolved from advising on technology to building and repairing it, and soon I was immersed in the core of IT. As a network administrator, I had the privilege of supporting the digital backbone of large, multi-location companies. It was a role that taught me about responsibility, particularly when I found myself safeguarding critical systems that others had overlooked, ensuring the seamless flow of information that a business depends on.

Moving to the United States, I embraced the challenge of entrepreneurship, spending over a decade as an independent developer and IT consultant. This chapter was about pure creation. Working with a diverse range of clients, I became a full-stack problem-solver, building custom web applications, mobile apps, and specialized software from the ground up. Whether it was crafting a live-tracking map for a meteorologist or a unique data portal for a media company, I thrived on turning a client’s specific need into a functional, elegant, and reliable digital solution.

The most defining shift in my career came when I found an opportunity to directly merge my digital expertise with the world of industrial manufacturing and engineering. I stepped into a role where I was tasked with breathing life into a CNC plasma table, a challenge that grew into digitizing an entire library of over 500 product parts. I became a bridge, translating AutoCAD designs into physical components while simultaneously managing the company’s IT infrastructure and building their e-commerce presence. It was here that my dual passions for code and creation became one.

This dedication to the craft is reflected in a demanding schedule. My eleven-hour day at the facility is bookended by an hour-long commute, and the nature of my work often allows for focused listening during long production cycles. What could be a draining routine has instead become a unique opportunity for immersion. This combination of time on the road and at the workbench has become my classroom—a quiet and consistent window for diving deep into audiobooks and podcasts. It’s during these hours that I explore new ideas in technology, revisit moments in history, or lose myself in a well-told story, ensuring that my mind remains as active and engaged as my hands are throughout the day.

Today, that journey has led me to the heart of the manufacturing process as a CNC operator and quality inspector. I now work with the tangible results of digital design, using precision measuring instruments and coordinate measuring machines to ensure that every component meets the most exacting standards. I am equally at home writing a script to automate a task as I am calibrating a machine to execute a flawless cut. It is this unique blend of experience—as a craftsman in both the digital and the physical realms—that continues to drive me.

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Mitch K

I've gone from IT admin to software dev, and now I'm a CNC machinist. All those hours at the machine are perfect for crushing audiobooks. My latest thing is mixing that obsession with my interest in AI to see what cool things I can build.