Work Experience
Honeybee Robotics
Systems Engineer III, Washington, DC (July 2023 – Present)
Executed an architecture level trade study for the return of Martian samples to Earth for NASA’s Mars Sample Return program. Performed system-wide mass management and requirement negotiation for NASA’s Capture Containment and Return mission. Designed and optimized the PRISMS instrument, an inertial sample mass analysis system, used to perform highly accurate measurements of surface samples in Martian, Lunar, and microgravity environments using vibration resonance response. Generated scientific and engineering performance requirements for PRISMS and wrote a proposal for submission to the 2024 MatISSE funding opportunity. Developed and submitted proposals for other new technologies including a minimal dead volume microvalve for small liquid and gas processing as well as an instrument agnostic Martian sample handling system based on the CADMES system.
Mechanical Engineer III, Washington, DC (August 2022 – July 2023)
Performed flight operations responsibilities for the SAM instrument on-board the NASA Curiosity Rover including script development, activity implementation, data review, and anomaly diagnostics and resolution. Performed mechanical and electrical testing, maintenance responsibilities, and ground support equipment design and build for the SAM Testbed engineering unit on Earth. Conceived of, designed, tested, and built miniature wet chemistry puncture capsules for use inside of the SAM testbed pyrolysis ovens to offer novel scientific analysis capabilities to NASA’s planetary science division.
Mechanical Engineer II, Washington, DC (August 2020 – August 2022)
Developed a flexural compliant wrist mechanism for the MSR robotic manipulator on board the CCRS mission. Performed electro-mechanical subsystem design for the NASA GSFC CADMES Europan Lander sample handling system. Utilized NASTRAN to conduct system level random vibration simulation and analysis. Additionally led the acceptance level vibration testing of the hardware and high vacuum cryogenic testing of the CADMES mechanism at NASA’s GSFC test facilities.
Mechanical Engineer I, Pasadena, CA (May 2019 – August 2020)
Instrumental in the design, analysis, fabrication, and testing of KRAKENS, a drill sled for deep ocean ROV deployment to hydrothermal vents with the SETI InVADER project. My areas of ownership for this project were the eccentric core sampling drill bit and emergency ejection system but I aided in the design and integration of the primary structure, hydraulic, and vision systems as well. Developed, built, and tested a liquid extraction and portioning system to allow NASA’s GSFC EMILI instrument to perform mass spectroscopy on the samples. Performed vacuum chamber integration of the EMILI system along with a thermally isolated mass balance. Responsible for the design, analysis, testing and operation of percussive core drilling hardware. Developed In Situ Resource Utilization architecture for the lunar robotic surface operation missions.
SpaceX
Dragon Structures Engineering Intern, Hawthorne, CA (May – August 2018)
Responsible for the design of flight critical carbon fiber composite parts and assemblies for the manned crew capsule. Performed hand analysis and used FEM analysis to determine optimal part design for minimal mass. Led the design of several subsystems from ideation and detailed design in Siemen’s NX through design reviews to releasing parts for manufacture.
Uber Advanced Technology Center
Self Driving Vehicle Hardware Engineering Intern, Pittsburgh, PA (May 2016 – January 2018)
Designed and tested multiple production scale parts and systems for manufacturing. Created parts for CNC machining, sheet metal, injection molding, and thermoforming. Designed systems for computer thermal management and component mounting. Designed and manufactured steering systems for low-profile robots.
Corning Incorporated
Fiber Optic Connectivity Engineering Intern, Hickory, NC (June – August 2015)
Early stage development of fiber optic connector concepts. Conceived, developed and tested novel optical connector designs using CAD modeling, rapid prototyping, failure testing, and statistical analysis.
Rapid Prototyping Engineering Intern, Hickory, NC (June – August 2014)
Systematically increased prototype accuracy and performance to specifications through the use of experiment design, applied statistical analysis and 3D printing experience.
Corning Museum of Glass
Glass Studio Technician Intern, Corning, NY (June – July 2013)
Designed and fabricated a gas fired glass melting furnace which operates continuously at 2300F. Metal and refractory material fabrication integrated with existing gas burner and safety system.