Contributed to the development of a thirty pound competitive combat robot by assisting and learning under upper year students throughout the design and build process. I supported prototype assembly and gained hands on exposure to how mechanical and electronic components come together in a functional system. Under mentorship, I learned to use CAD software to understand part design and fit, and I was introduced to reverse engineering concepts and practical troubleshooting when components did not perform as expected.
This project was a large team effort, which strengthened my ability to collaborate, communicate clearly, and learn within a fast paced technical environment. Working alongside more experienced students taught me how to quickly absorb new tools and concepts along with providing with countless opportunities to apply them in a hands on setting. The skills and knowledge I gained through this experience gave me the confidence and foundation to begin building my own technical projects independently. Overall, this experience deepened my understanding of how engineering ideas move from design to physical systems and reinforced my interest in working at the intersection of hardware, software, and teamwork.