About Us

Citadel Automation is a Chicago area startup that strives to help small to medium size companies bridge the accelerating tech evolution gap. We are focused on partnering with established businesses that can benefit from our engineering services in their quest for product excellence and competitive edge in the marketplace.

About the tech evolution gap

The pace of technology evolution is accelerating. IOT, connected products, smart devices, smart and lean processes, machine learning etc. are just some of the buzz words associated with real and rapid technology changes that are going to affect most future products. This already includes products that have historically had little or no electronics. This is a wide range of devices ranging from industrial products like manual valves, electro-mechanical actuators, bearings, sensors etc. to consumer products like grills, locks, bicycles etc.

Many companies do not have in-house engineering resources required to stay on top of rapidly changing technology and the opportunities it creates. In some cases this is due to historical nature of products they offer (products that didn't require any electronics until now). In most cases, the optimized, lean business structure cannot justify a long term commitment to a very diverse and advanced set of engineering resources needed to bring the next generation of products to market.

How we can help

We are a team of engineers with entrepreneurial approach to project execution and a very diversified and deep knowledge base. Our flexible approach to engineering relationships allows us to fit in and execute most projects. Here is a list of things we’d like our partners to be aware of when making a consideration:

• First and foremost we strive to be viewed by our partners as a dependable, highly competent partner in solving any kind of engineering hurdle in front of us. We have a straight forward approach to problem definition and execute projects with integrity which allows for constructive and productive relationships.
• We have years of experience in a very diverse set of engineering disciplines that includes embedded firmware and software development, electro-mechanical control systems, mechatronics, electronic circuit design, government compliance (in automotive and heavy duty vehicle & rail field), process automation, measurement/sensing system development, mobile app and UI development, big data analytics and machine learning, product validation/testing and automated software testing. Again, we’re not in business of selling or trying to impose any of these technologies on any specific product. All of this experience is just a set of tools that can be relied upon when it makes sense to do so on a specific project. Our actual focus is always on finding the optimal solution for the problem in front of us using the best available technologies.
• By working with us, you are getting access to the best engineering talent. This is available on demand, so you can invest in product development when it makes sense to do so and you have zero overhead cost when it does not.