About | Cole Mullenbach

My Background

🏠 Osage, Iowa

Originally from Osage, Iowa, where I grew up with small-town values and a curiosity about technology. This foundation shaped my practical approach to problem-solving and my appreciation for community.

🎓 Iowa State University

Graduated with a degree in Software Engineering from Iowa State University. The rigorous program taught me both theoretical foundations and practical application of software development principles.

🌍 Middle East Deployment

During college, I completed a deployment overseas to the Middle East while serving in the Army National Guard. This experience taught me invaluable lessons about leadership, adaptability, and working under pressure.

🏙️ Ankeny, Iowa

Now based in Ankeny, Iowa, I'm open to opportunities that offer growth and meaningful impact. The central Iowa tech scene provides exciting opportunities to work on diverse technical challenges.

Professional Journey

⚙️ Excel Engineering

As a Software Engineer at Excel Engineering, I bridge the gap between technical complexity and user experience. My work focuses on creating solutions that people actually want to use.

🔧 Automation & Data

My work spans from data analysis tools to automation pipelines for diesel emissions testing. I specialize in making complex technical processes accessible and efficient.

💻 Full-Stack Development

I'm currently expanding my skills in full-stack development during my free time while managing end-to-end project management at work. Always learning, always building.

Technical Focus

🐍 Programming Languages

I specialize in Python, MATLAB, SQL, and C# development. These tools allow me to tackle everything from data analysis to automation workflows with precision and efficiency.

🖥️ Homelab Infrastructure

My homelab runs Proxmox and TrueNAS, hosting everything from development environments to media servers. It's my playground for learning and experimentation.

🌐 Web Development

Currently diving deeper into full-stack development and exploring modern web frameworks to complement my automation and data analysis expertise.

Leadership & Values

🎖️ Military Leadership

Having served as an Infantry Mortar Squad Leader in the Army National Guard, I understand the importance of clear communication, team dynamics, and mission success.

💼 Business Vision

My goal is to eventually start a business where employees are genuinely happy, fairly compensated, and excited about their work. People-first leadership drives everything I do.

🎯 Technology Philosophy

I believe the best technology is invisible to users while solving their actual problems effectively. Good engineering is about making complex things simple.

What I'm Currently Working On

🏭 Work Projects

At work, I'm focused on whole end-to-end project management for diesel emissions testing, building automation tools that streamline complex workflows and improve efficiency.

🚀 Learning & Growth

In my free time, I'm learning full-stack development to expand my technical toolkit. I'm always exploring new ways to make technology more accessible and user-friendly.

About Me