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guilherme araujo
guilherme araujo

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Level Up: Switching Contexts from Java Backend to Embedded Systems with Gemini

#devchallenge #googleaichallenge #portfolio #gemini

New Year, New You Portfolio Challenge Submission

This is a submission for the New Year, New You Portfolio Challenge Presented by Google AI

About Me

I am a junior Java Backend Developer with a deep, burning passion for hardware and robotics. While my days are spent architecting robust server-side solutions, my nights are dedicated to Embedded Systems.

I created this portfolio to bridge the gap between these two worlds. My goal was to leverage my professional software engineering background to break into the embedded industry. I wanted a space that could show recruiters: "I have the discipline of a backend dev, but the curiosity and hands-on skills of an embedded engineer."

Currently, I'm working on projects involving ROS2 Foxy for robot control and developing custom IPs for keyboards using Lattice FPGAs. This portfolio is my way of "advertising" this specific skill set to find roles where I can get closer to the metal.

Portfolio

How I Built It

To build this, I treated the AI not just as a coder, but as a project partner. My stack was React hosted on Google Cloud Run, but the workflow was heavily AI-driven:

  1. Architecture & Prompts (Gemini 3 Pro via CLI): I used the Gemini CLI with Gemini 3 Pro to generate structured markdown prompts. I described my "dual-persona" concept, and it helped me outline the component structure needed to handle the thematic switching efficiently.
  2. Rapid Development (Google AI Studio & Gemini 3 Flash Preview): Once I had my prompt strategy, I moved to Google AI Studio. I used the Gemini 3 Flash Preview model to generate the actual React code. Its speed allowed me to iterate instantly on the game-themed UI components without getting bogged down in CSS boilerplate.
  3. Deployment: The final build was deployed directly to Google Cloud Run, ensuring it's scalable and fast (crucial for that "game-like" snappy feel).

What I'm Most Proud Of

The feature I'm most excited about is the "Context Switch" Toggle.

Most portfolios have a "Light/Dark" mode. I found that boring. Instead, I built a thematic toggle that represents my career pivot:

  • Java Mode: Presents a clean, professional look typical of enterprise backend development.
  • Embedded Mode: Flips the switch to a retro, game-themed aesthetic. This isn't just a color change; it highlights my embedded projects (like my FPGA work and ROS2 robotics) front and center.

It visually tells the story of who I am: professional by trade, gamer and maker by heart. It solves my main problem: showing I can fit into a corporate environment while simultaneously proving I have the creative and technical spark for R&D and embedded engineering.

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