Mechanical Design
SolidWorks
I've been working in SolidWorks since 2016 - first as a student, then as a teaching assistant for three years at the University of Washington, and throughout my professional career as CAD lead on multiple projects. My work spans parametric part modeling, large multi-body assemblies, engineering drawings with GD&T annotations, sheet metal design, and structural simulation using SolidWorks Simulation.
Teaching experience
From 2017 to 2020 I was a SolidWorks TA at the University of Washington, teaching undergraduate Mechanical Engineering students through the full CAD workflow: sketching and feature-based parametric modeling, assembly constraints and mate relationships, engineering drawing creation, and GD&T standards per ASME Y14.5. Teaching the tool forced me to build a thorough conceptual model of how SolidWorks works - not just the clicks, but the underlying parametric logic and where it breaks down.
I ran lab sections and graded projects across multiple quarters, developing the ability to diagnose modeling errors quickly and explain the fix in terms the student could internalize - a skill that carries directly into code and firmware review.
CAD lead - UW Human Powered Submarine
As CAD lead on the UW Human Powered Submarine project I was responsible for the full SolidWorks assembly - hull, mechanical drivetrain, propeller mechanism, internal frame, and all electronics mounting. The submarine had a variable-pitch propeller system that required tight kinematic tolerancing so that pitch could be adjusted by the pilot while submerged without binding. Getting that right in the model before cutting any metal was critical.
I managed the master assembly across multiple team members contributing sub-assemblies, enforcing a consistent reference geometry strategy so that top-level constraints remained stable as components evolved. The team placed first internationally in the design report competition, which evaluated both technical rigor and documentation quality - the CAD model and derived drawings were central to that submission.
Master CAD - Ariel Nomad 350kW EV conversion
On the Ariel Nomad EV conversion I owned the master SolidWorks assembly for the full vehicle integration - packaging the 800VDC Cascadia Motion battery system, 350kW drivetrain, and custom Power Distribution Unit into the existing Ariel Nomad chassis. Working as the sole engineer, I used the CAD model to drive all clearance and interference checks before any fabrication began, and derived the manufacturing drawings used to CNC-machine every custom bracket and the decorative battery faceplates.
This project required close attention to how parts fit in a cramped, high-performance chassis. SolidWorks' Interference Detection and clearance analysis tools were critical for validating cable routing and thermal management spacing before committing to cut metal.
Structural analysis and simulation
Beyond geometry, I use SolidWorks Simulation for structural validation - applying loads, defining fixtures, and interpreting von Mises stress and displacement results to identify high-stress regions and justify material/geometry choices. This has been part of my consulting work at Studio Alloy, where I've performed structural analysis on EV structural components and custom brackets.