Daniel Gordon, Contributor at Large
From New York City to Seattle and back again, Mikhail Bruk’s career is shaped by his passion for leadership, innovation, and making a meaningful impact. As Senior Manager of Test Solutions Engineering at Mini-Circuits, Mikhail leads a dynamic team focused on developing custom components.
Mikhail’s journey started with a mechanical engineering degree from NYU Polytechnic, followed by a master’s from Stony Brook University. He launched his career with Motorola, handling various aspects of design and component integration for the brand’s rugged mobile electronics. He eventually became a product lead, which sparked a desire to shift his focus more toward consumer products. That led him to the West Coast, where he worked on the Microsoft Surface product line. Exposure to a wide range of teams and products at Microsoft reinforced his readiness to lead—but the sheer scale of a massive corporation left him yearning for a more hands-on role.
“I wanted to be in a place where I could see the direct impact of my work, both on the team and the product,” Mikhail said. “That’s when I realized I thrive in environments where I can lead people and make tangible contributions.”
After returning to the East Coast, Mikhail joined a growing startup as Senior Manager in the mechanical engineering department. As the company grew and went public, he relished the fast-paced, high-impact environment. The experience further fueled his passion for leadership and mentorship. It also taught him the importance of agility and innovation within smaller teams, something he was eager to carry forward in his next role.
After the births of his two youngest children, he chose to step back from his career for a while to focus on being at home with his family. Mikhail and his wife Kate are proudly raising four children together. Embracing this invaluable time with his kids during their early childhood gave him a fresh perspective on both work and life.
When Mikhail found Mini-Circuits, he saw an opportunity to bring his years of knowledge and leadership to an established company with a perfect blend of large-scale opportunities and close-knit culture. Ironically, Mikhail had previously lived in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn for much of his life, seeing Mini-Circuits’ buildings in passing but never realizing what they were. The serendipity of now working here is somewhat of a full-circle moment for him.
“Mini-Circuits is global but feels local, which is a rare combination,” Mikhail said. “It offers the structure of a larger organization while maintaining that family atmosphere that makes it feel like home. That’s exactly what I was looking for.”
Mikhail’s role at Mini-Circuits spans from overseeing design and testing to ensuring that products meet rigorous standards for documentation, architecture, and performance. In the process, much of his time is spent mentoring Mini-Circuits’ next generation of talented engineers. He finds fulfillment in coaching the team and helping others expand their ideas.
Outside of work, Mikhail prioritizes spending quality time with his family. To maintain balance, he incorporates yoga and mindfulness into his routine, helping him recharge and stay centered.
Mikhail is excited to help shape the future of test solutions within Mini-Circuits. “There’s always more to learn, and the path forward is full of opportunities,” he said. “I’m looking forward to driving new innovations in test solutions and continuing to mentor the team as we grow together.”
As Mini-Circuits continuously expands its product portfolio, Mikhail is playing a pivotal role in making test solutions a cornerstone of the company’s future.
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