Today we're chatting with Andrew Nguyen, a software engineer based in San Jose who has been involved in the mechanical keyboard community. From helping launch UC San Diego's Keyboard Club to working on cutting-edge medical robotics, Andrew shares his journey into programming, keyboards, and why the HHKB has become his daily driver.
HHKB: Tell us a little about yourself.
Andrew: I'm Andrew, a software engineer in my 20s based in San Jose. I graduated from UC San Diego with a degree in Computer Science and currently work in the medical technology industry.
HHKB: What first got you interested in programming?
Andrew: I've always been interested in creating impactful technology and solving interesting problems. One belief I've carried with me is that if you're given the opportunity to keep trying something, even after failing, that's usually the best way to learn and improve. Software felt like the perfect space for that because you can build quickly, iterate, experiment, and solve problems in a very tangible way.
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HHKB: What do you do today, and what attracted you to your current company?
Andrew: I currently work at Intuitive Surgical as a software engineer. The team I work with focuses on network connectivity, system configuration, and log handling. What attracted me to Intuitive was the opportunity to work in an industry that's pushing the boundaries of robotics while also making a meaningful impact on surgeons and patients worldwide.
HHKB: What inspired you to pursue software engineering specifically?
Andrew: I've always wanted to work at the leading edge of technology, and robotics was particularly exciting to me. The opportunity to build and work with innovative systems was a big reason I pursued software engineering.
HHKB: How does programming fit into your day-to-day work?
Andrew: Programming is something I do every day. Whether I'm debugging issues, developing new features, or helping design software architectures, coding remains a big part of my role.
That said, the nature of programming has changed a bit with the rise of AI tools. I don't write every line by hand the way I used to, but I'm still using my keyboard constantly to interact with AI agents and development tools.
HHKB: We heard you were involved with UC San Diego's Keyboard Club and hackathon community. Tell us about that experience.
Andrew: I was fortunate to be part of the first iterations of both the UCSD Keyboard Club and ACM DiamondHacks.
For the keyboard club, I served as a Tech Officer and was part of the founding officer team. One of my projects was creating a custom raffle spinner for keyboard meetups, and I also helped manage onsite logistics during events.
With ACM DiamondHacks, I was an Operations Officer and a founding cohort of the hackathon team. My responsibilities included coordinating merchandise and handling event logistics.
Both organizations accomplished a lot during that time. The UCSD Keyboard Club hosted what became the largest keyboard meetup in San Diego, and ACM DiamondHacks grew into the largest hackathon in the region with more than 500 participants.
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HHKB: That’s fantastic! So, were you already into mechanical keyboards before discovering HHKB?
Andrew: Definitely. I got into the hobby around 2020 and started building custom mechanical keyboards. That eventually led me to become involved in my university's keyboard club, so I was already very familiar with the keyboard community before discovering HHKB.
"A keyboard is already an incredibly versatile tool that we use for gaming, studying, working, and just about everything else. Being able to personalize and customize something I planned to use every day for decades was really appealing."– Andrew Nguyen
HHKB: What originally drew you to mechanical keyboards?
Andrew: I joined the hobby when it was still a relatively niche, grassroots community. Back then, many keyboard projects were small group buys with only a handful of enthusiasts involved.
What drew me in was the creativity and customization. A keyboard is already an incredibly versatile tool that we use for gaming, studying, working, and just about everything else. Being able to personalize and customize something I planned to use every day for decades was really appealing.
I wanted a keyboard that fit my needs but also reflected a bit of my personality, even if it's through something as simple as the tool I type on every day.
HHKB: When did HHKB first enter your radar?
Andrew: I first heard about HHKB through streamers and influencers in the mechanical keyboard community during the COVID era.
What immediately caught my attention was Topre. I'd always preferred tactile keyboards, and HHKB offered a different tactile experience from the Cherry MX-style switches I was used to. The feel was unique, and the softer sound profile seemed especially well suited for office environments.
HHKB: What ultimately convinced you to give HHKB a try?
Andrew: The Topre switch experience was definitely the biggest factor. I was curious about how it compared to the more traditional mechanical switches I'd used before. The combination of strong tactility and a softer, more refined sound signature made it stand out from other keyboards I'd tried.
HHKB: Which HHKB are you currently using?
Andrew: I use an HHKB Professional Hybrid Snow Type-S as my daily driver at work. It's incredibly portable and comfortable to use. One thing I really enjoy is placing it directly on top of my MacBook's built-in keyboard. It gives me the typing experience I want without taking up additional desk space.
"…but once I became familiar with it, it was a game changer. I didn't realize how often I was awkwardly reaching for modifier keys until I switched." – Andrew Nguyen
HHKB: Has the HHKB layout changed the way you work?
Andrew: One of the biggest differences has been the Control key placement. It took some time to adjust to, but once I became familiar with it, it was a game changer. I didn't realize how often I was awkwardly reaching for modifier keys until I switched. Now, whenever I go back to a standard Mac keyboard or another mechanical keyboard, the difference is immediately noticeable.
The compact 60% layout is another huge advantage. Because it's so small, I can take it anywhere and use it comfortably while maximizing desk space.
As for the Delete key, I don't use it much because I never make mistakes. Just kidding. I simply don't find myself reaching for it very often.
HHKB: What about the layout took the longest to get used to?
Andrew: Probably the arrow keys. For office work they're perfectly fine, but in faster-paced situations like gaming, they're a little less intuitive than I'd like.
HHKB: If you could add anything to a future HHKB, what would it be?
Andrew: For me, customization is king. In an ideal world, I'd love to see options for different dome weights and perhaps more ways to tune the typing feel. A firmer bottom-out experience could also be interesting.
On the aesthetic side, I'd love to see more collaborations. Limited-edition releases with creators, gaming brands, tech companies, or other partners could introduce more people to HHKB while creating some really exciting designs.
HHKB: Besides your HHKB, what does the rest of your setup look like?
Andrew: My setup is pretty simple. Whether I'm at my desk or working in the lab, it's usually just my Mac, my HHKB, a pair of IEMs, and a couple of monitors.
"The modifier key placement helps me avoid fumbling key combinations, especially when programming."– Andrew Nguyen
HHKB: Do you feel the HHKB's design benefits your programming workflow?
Andrew: Absolutely. The modifier key placement helps me avoid fumbling key combinations, especially when programming. I find that I'm using my thumbs and pinkies more naturally and efficiently, which makes shortcuts feel more comfortable.
HHKB: What's your favorite thing about the HHKB?
Andrew: The combination of strong tactility, a soft sound profile, and the compact layout. It strikes a balance that I haven't really found anywhere else.
HHKB: Do you keep your HHKB stock or have you customized it?
Andrew: Right now it's completely stock.
HHKB: What does a typical day look like for you?
Andrew: Wake up, throw my laptop and keyboard into my backpack, head to work, go to the gym, play some tennis, head home, relax, and do it all again the next day.
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HHKB: Where do you see yourself five years from now?
Andrew: Hopefully in a position where I'm financially comfortable enough not to worry about where I'm living, while also having the freedom to travel and see more of the world.
HHKB: And when you're away from the keyboard, how do you like to spend your free time?
Andrew: I spend a lot of time playing tennis, weightlifting, traveling, hanging out with friends, and working on photography and videography projects.
HHKB: Thank you for chatting with us, Andrew! Best of luck in the future. Happy Hacking!
Be sure to check out Andrew’s Instagram: @3ndrew123
Note: the views expressed in this interview are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of Intuitive Surgical, Inc.