Year in Review
2024: Building with rigor
Projects shipped, lessons learned, and momentum built—a year of engineering and product execution.
By the Numbers
Lyceum, JoshuaOS, Sonace Portal
TypeScript, Python, MDX
Audio/hardware test campaigns
Test milestones met
Key Accomplishments
Projects Launched
- Lyceum: Cloud test-data platform with traceability and analytics
- JoshuaOS: AI-powered personal operating system with RAG
- Sonace Beta Portal: Manufacturing validation tracking system
- Josh Levy Labs website: Portfolio and brand presence
Professional Impact
- Led audio validation for multiple product launches
- Built automated test infrastructure reducing manual test time by 80%
- Coordinated firmware/manufacturing workflows across teams
- Established traceability systems from requirements to test results
Technical Skills Developed
- Full-stack development: Next.js, React, TypeScript, Node.js
- AI/ML integration: RAG pipelines, multi-model orchestration
- Cloud platforms: Vercel, AWS, database design
- Test automation: Python, API integrations, data pipelines
Collaboration & Process
- Cross-functional coordination: firmware, manufacturing, product teams
- Documentation discipline: PRD/FRD, test plans, traceability matrices
- Agile thinking: MVP → scale roadmaps, iterative development
- Knowledge sharing: mentoring, technical writing, process evangelism
Lessons Learned
Process scales, chaos doesn't
Clear requirements, structured test plans, and traceability systems aren't overhead—they're what enables fast iteration. Every hour spent defining success criteria saves days of rework later.
Build tools, not just tests
Automated test scripts are good. Reusable test platforms are better. Systems that capture, analyze, and trend data across builds are transformative. Invest in infrastructure early.
Ship MVPs, then iterate
Lyceum v1 shipped with 20% of the features I wanted—but it was usable. Feedback from real use beats planning in a vacuum. Define MVP ruthlessly, ship fast, iterate based on evidence.
Collaborate early and often
Test engineer ↔ firmware engineer tight loops catch issues faster than isolated testing ever will. Manufacturing readiness requires early coordination, not last-minute handoffs. Cross-functional work is a superpower.
Looking Ahead to 2025
Focus Areas
- Scale side projects: Lyceum → multi-tenant, JoshuaOS → mobile app, open-source key components
- Expand collaboration: Find technical co-founders, consulting opportunities, open-source contributions
- Deepen expertise: Statistical process control (Cpk, control charts), ML/AI for test automation, cloud-native architecture
- Share knowledge: Write more (test engineering, product systems), speak at meetups, mentor engineers