Rocket Launch Rail
Custom designed and fabricated launch rail for high power rocketry
Professional Experience
Mechanical Engineer with a focus on aerospace systems and hands-on product development. Experienced in leading full concept-to-product cycles, including CAD modeling, fabrication, testing, and flight integration. I'm most at home working where engineering meets the real-world: building, testing, and refining hardware that performs!
Advanced Engineering Coordinator - STARBASE Los Alamitos
I currently serve as the Advanced Curriculum Coordinator at STARBASE Los Alamitos, where I work to provide high quality, hands-on engineering experiences that prepare students for higher education/careers as engineers and leaders.
Highlights from my time at STARBASE include:
- Managing advanced scientific education initiatives that spans 5,000+ students, aligned with both DoD and industry tech objectives.
- Mentoring students competing in The American Rocketry Challenge (TARC) and high-power rocketry competitions, including work with composite materials, 3D modeling and CFD simulations, additive manufacturing, machining, data analysis, and general rocketry principles and techniques.
- Established and managed a $500,000 prototyping facility featuring CNC equipment, additive manufacturing cell, and more.
- Planning/executing rocket test launches in the Mojave Desert, managing launch schedules, test validations, and on-site repairs.
- Led weather balloon program development including curriculum design/implementation, launch safety procedures, and logistical tasks.
- Collaboratory work with US Air Force, US Army Research Lab, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, Congresswoman Michelle Steel, and others.
Monarch Lathe
Part of my role in expanding STARBASE's operational capabilities involved sourcing, installing, and operating this Monarch manual lathe
Robotics Engineering Lesson
Tormach CNC Mill
Tormach CNC Mill that I was in charge of sourcing, assembling, and developing operational curriculum for.
Student Rockets at El Mirage Dry Lake
Top 40 national finish out of 1,000 teams!
Rocket Recovery
Student-built rocket after a successful parachute deployment.
TARC Rocket
A fully composite rocket designed and built by middle school students at STARBASE Los Alamitos for the TARC rocket competition
STEM summer camp inspires kids to be engineers
I led the development and execution of a high-altitude weather balloon curriculum for a week-long camp in partnership with USC's Viterbi School of Engineering. The camp focused on concepts our students would need to know to succesfully fly a balloon payload to over 100,000 feet of altitude.
Mechanical Engineering Intern - MEC Aerial Work Platforms
During my tenure at MEC Aerial Work Platforms as a Mechanical Engineering Intern, I contributed to the design and drafting of large aerial work platforms using SOLIDWORKS, learning about ANSI Y14.5 standards and machine design. I also authored Qualification Testing Plans for pre-production models, ensuring consistency and safety across globally produced machines. Additionally, my responsibilities extended to generating Engineering Change Notices, covering part and assembly modifications as well as sensor and machine function wiring diagrams. This experience not only refined my technical skills but also allowed me to make impactful contributions to projects with global implications.
MEC 65-J Dual Fuel
I was involved with the design of the 65J model's dual fuel system. This machine could run on either diesel or propane, allowing more flexibility for customers. I was primarily responsible for work on the propane system, including work with tanks, regulators, and other key components.
MEC 45J Boomlift
Responsible for authoring the Qualification Test Plan (QTP) for the newly-designed 45J machine, as well as the drafting of many manufacturing drawings for various sheet metal parts/weldments.