Doug Kuhn
Sovereign UAS & Autonomy Engineer
DevOps, AI Agents (Nina/OpenClaw), High-Altitude Platforms & Balloon Systems Expertise. Building Oregon's unmanned future.
About Me
I'm Doug Kuhn, a senior AI engineer and blockchain architect with a track record of building sovereign AI agents, decentralized systems, and DevOps infrastructure. After years of building financial technology and blockchain systems, I've relocated to Amity, Oregon to focus on advancing unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and high-altitude platform (HAP) technologies.
My work spans AI agent frameworks (Nina/OpenClaw), autonomous systems (BlackClaw Cohort), lightweight blockchain solutions (PolkaTap), and DevOps automation. I bring a self-reliant engineering mindset, deep technical expertise, and a passion for Oregon's growing UAS ecosystem.
Beyond engineering, I cultivate resilience through mushroom cultivation—a practice that mirrors the patience, observation, and systems thinking required for successful high-altitude operations.
Location
Amity, Oregon (Relocating from Bay Area)
Focus Areas
UAS DevOps, AI Agents, High-Altitude Platforms, Autonomous Systems, Blockchain Infrastructure
Availability
Available for Oregon UAS Accelerator Fall 2026 cohort and immediate contract work
Projects Portfolio
BlackClaw Cohort
An immersive training program for autonomous systems engineering, focusing on Rust, embedded systems, and UAS technologies. Designed to prepare engineers for high-stakes autonomous operations.
PolkaTap
A lightweight blockchain taproot solution for microtransactions and IoT device authentication, built on Substrate with minimal resource footprint.
UAS & Balloon Readiness
Technical Skills
Linux & Networking
Deep expertise in Linux systems administration, network protocols, and containerization (Podman, Docker, Kubernetes).
Autonomy & AI
Experience building autonomous AI agents, decision-making systems, and edge computing solutions for UAS applications.
Regulatory & Testing
Knowledge of FAA regulations, UTM systems, and rigorous testing/validation methodologies for aerial systems.
Oregon Commitment
Relocation
Already relocated to Amity, OR with established residency and local network.
Pendleton Range
Committed to attending in-person events and utilizing the Pendleton UAS test range for flight testing and validation.
Ecosystem Engagement
Active participant in Oregon UAS community, seeking partnerships with Aerostar, local UAS firms, and academic institutions.
Application Support
Oregon UAS Accelerator Fall 2026
I've prepared a concise one-pager summarizing my qualifications, Oregon commitment, and how my skills align with the accelerator's goals. Download it below or request a personalized introduction.
Vision & Endorsements
Vision Statement
I believe the future of unmanned systems lies in sovereign AI agents that can operate independently in disconnected environments, making intelligent decisions based on local sensor data while maintaining secure communication with ground control. My work focuses on creating the infrastructure and agent frameworks that enable this vision, particularly for high-altitude and long-duration missions where reliability and autonomy are paramount.
"Doug's expertise in combining AI agents with robust DevOps practices is exactly what the UAS industry needs to advance beyond basic automation toward true autonomous mission capability."
— Industry Advisor, UAS Sector
"His work on Nina and OpenClaw demonstrates a deep understanding of how to build reliable, maintainable AI systems that can operate in constrained environments—a critical skill for high-altitude platforms."
— Former Tech Lead, Autonomous Systems Division