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Build Projects. Master Skills. Launch Careers

Create engineering projects that stand out to employers with components, instructions, and expert support.

Featured Projects

Ball and Beam

Design various controllers to balance a ball on a beam

Skills: Classical Control Theory, Digital Filtering, Motor Control, Python, Data Visualization and Logging, Tuning and Stability Analysis

Smartwatch

Design firmware for a fully functioning smartwatch

Skills: Embedded C/C++, Communication Protocols, Graphics Display Design, Resource Optimization

How it Works

1) Project Selection

Select the project kit that fits your interests and the skills you want to build

After purchase, you’ll receive an invite to access the digital materials, and your kit will be shipped to you

2) Build the Project

Assemble your project using the provided components, instructions, and support

Build a fully functioning version of your design, reach out for virtual support if you need help

3) Enhance the Project

Take your design to the next level to really stand out:

Submit your completed project, earn your digital certificate, and continue enhancing your design to strengthen your skills!

What's Included with Every Kit?

All components needed to create the basic version of each project
Access to video tutorials and written documentation
1 on 1 virtual support for troubleshooting
Digital certification upon project completion

Short Circuit Design Challenge

Show Your Skills. Get Cash Prizes. Get Featured.

Submit Projects by February 1st

Entry into the competition is free with the purchase of either project kit

1st Place: $700 Cash Prize | 2nd Place: $500 Cash Prize | 3rd Place: $300 Cash Prize

Who We Are

At Short Circuit, our mission is to bring students, employers, and mentors together through hands-on engineering projects, equipping students with the tools necessary to succeed in their disciplines

Meet Anand

Anand is currently a master's student at the University of Michigan studying electrical engineering

Having faced the challenges of landing internships firsthand, Anand founded Short Circuit to help engineering students gain the hands-on skills and experience needed to stand out for top opportunities.

If you scrolled this far, you're our kind of builder.

Shop

Flagship Kit: Cloud-Connected Sensor

What's Included

Skills you'll practice

Estimated Build Time

Difficulty: Intermediate

What you'll get

DIY Path

Start simple on YouTube → level up with Premium.

Premium Models

Videos, docs, enhancements, and checkpoint reviews.

Project Kits

Parts + step-by-step builds to ship something real.

Choose Your Path

DIY (Affiliate Links)

Download supply list

Buy parts from partners (affiliate)

Keep it basic or upgrade later

Kit + Premium

Hardware kit shipped + full Premium modules

1-2 months Premium included with kit purchase

Best value for portfolio builds

Premium-Only

No hardware; follow along with virtual/sim data

For skill growth & interview prep

Pre-orders open now. Shipping starts in December.

Join the list today for 10% off at launch or 1 free month of Premium.

Transparent ship windows

Refund Policy Snapshot

US-only at launch

Learn what job posts actually ask

APIs & Auth

Proof in project: Securely connect your kit to a REST endpoint.

Roles that use it: Intern • Assoc • 5+ yrs

Data Modeling

Proof in project: Design a mini schema + ETL for telemetry.

Roles that use it: Analyst • Eng • PM

Dashboards

Proof in project: Ship a stakeholder-ready dashboard.

Roles that use it: BI • RevOps • Product

Testing

Proof in project: Write checkpoints & validations.

Roles that use it: QA • SWE • SRE

Storefront Preview

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