In Hollywood, the Begley name is likely associated with Ed Begley Jr. as an actor, environmentalist, and icon. But there is an equally interesting story which often goes unnoticed and is even more interesting: the story of Nicholas Taylor Begley. He doesn’t attend the extravagant Hollywood events, but the impact of his contributions can be found in engineering, patents, and the quiet conversations of the people working at the cutting edge of innovation.
At the present time, we focus on the work of Nicholas Taylor Begley and his achievements. His is a life we can all learn from, even if the impact of his life was not in the spotlight.
From Hollywood Roots to STEM Routes
“Begley” may evoke images of sets and movies being filmed, but for Nicholas, that is not where his life has taken him. Edwin Nicholas Taylor Begley was born in Los Angeles on January 4, 1979. Ed Begley Jr (actor, environmentalist) and Ingrid Taylor, his parents, raised him.
However, instead of the performing arts, Nicholas has chosen for himself a quiet life in a more ‘technical’ world, focusing on electrical engineering, designing and building hardware, and developing novel energy systems.
Why this path? Because sometimes the brightest impact is made not in lights and cameras—but in silent circuits and unseen systems.
Early Life & Education — The Foundation
From an outside glance, Nicholas’s upbringing combined Hollywood glamour and quiet encouragement. But his parents shielded him from the glare.
Education journey:
- He studied Physics at Reed College in 1997–1998.
- Later, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) from Portland State University, graduating in 2011.
During his university years, Nicholas began working in technical roles (engineering technician, hardware engineering) — stepping stones to bigger projects.
Lesson here: Your education doesn’t just equip you — it opens doors. But real learning comes when you apply it in real projects.
Career Path — From Technician to Innovator
His professional journey is not about red carpet moments, but the silent progress in labs and offices:
- Early roles:
- Engineering Technician at Cooper Bussman
- Hardware Engineer at Azuray Technologies
- Engineering Technician at Cooper Bussman
- Joining Eaton:
- December 2011: began at Eaton as an Electrical Engineer
- March 2012: shifted to Software Engineer
- Later earned EIT (Engineer in Training) certification from NCEES
- December 2011: began at Eaton as an Electrical Engineer
- Later stage & BIOTRONIK:
- Left Eaton in 2015 to explore other ventures
- By 2019, he landed at BIOTRONIK as a Staff Engineer
- Left Eaton in 2015 to explore other ventures
Along the way, he also engaged in patents and innovations, particularly in power electronics. For instance:
- He’s co-inventor of a multi-phase bidirectional DC-to-DC power converter circuit with transient stress control.
That’s not celebrity fame — that’s real technical influence.
Key Traits & Principles to Embrace
As we study Nicholas Taylor Begley, some themes emerge that you can integrate into your own journey:
- Privacy is intentional — He keeps a low public profile, letting his work speak.
- Depth over breadth — Instead of scattered ventures, he builds deep competence (electrical + software + power systems).
- Innovation with purpose — His patents aren’t just for show — they’re technical solutions to real problems.
- Incremental progress — His moves from technician → engineer → staff reflect steady, persistent growth.
Step-by-Step: How You Can Build a Path Inspired by Nicholas
Want to mirror parts of his success (without inheriting a famous name)? Here’s a practical roadmap — inspired by how he did it:
| Step | What to Do | Why It Matters |
| 1. Choose your core discipline | Pick a foundational engineering / technical field (e.g. electrical, computer, mechatronics) | Mastery comes from focus |
| 2. Start with hands-on roles | Interns, technician jobs, real lab work | They teach what textbooks can’t |
| 3. Layer in related skills | E.g. software + hardware integration | Today’s systems rarely isolate domains |
| 4. File or work on real innovations | Side-projects, open source, patents | Real work powers credibility |
| 5. Be strategic about visibility | Present at conferences, publish, but don’t chase fame | You want respect, not hype |
| 6. Keep evolving | Seek roles that challenge you (e.g. systems architecture, hardware / firmware integration) | Stagnation is the enemy |
Follow that, and you don’t need a famous father — your results will open doors.
Challenges & Misconceptions
Even someone like Nicholas Taylor Begley faces obstacles:
- Assumptions of nepotism — Some might assume his career is “given,” but his track record and patents tell a different story.
- Lack of public recognition — Most people know Ed Begley Jr., not Nicholas. But that anonymity can free you to work without distraction.
- Staying motivated quietly — Without social media hype or constant public applause, the drive must come from within.
Still, these can be reframed as strengths: you control your narrative; your work stands on its own.
What Does the Future Hold?
What’s next for Nicholas Taylor Begley? Given his trajectory, here’s what to watch:
- Breakthrough technologies in power electronics, medical devices, renewable energy systems
- More patents — his existing one on bidirectional DC/DC converters is just a start.
- Leadership roles — potentially leading teams or departments in hardware/firmware systems
- Collaborations — with universities, startups, or cross-disciplinary research
If he continues to build quietly and consistently, his legacy may be in invisible infrastructure powering tomorrow.
Why This Story Matters to You
You might not be born into a Hollywood family (most of us aren’t). But Nicholas’s life offers lessons:
- You can carve your path — even if your name carries legacy weight
- Impact doesn’t require a spotlight — many breakthroughs are quietly built
- Deep technical work, properly leveraged, can outlast trending fame
When you finish reading this, I want you to ask: “What’s one technical step I can take this week that stretches me?” Because incremental steps build empires.
Conclusion
Nicholas Taylor Begley doesn’t need applause. His legacy is in circuits, patents, and systems that might power devices you use tomorrow. As you walk your own path—whether in tech, art, business, or anything between—let this be your north star: do work worth doing. Be patient. Be bold. And let your craft speak for you.
