Leonardo Molina
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
Work History
Project Engineering Intern
Tex-Tube Steel
Houston, TX
05.2026 - 08.2026
- Developed Python automation tools to digitize manufacturing workflows, reducing manual data entry and optimizing internal data flow.
- Automated engineering processes by integrating custom software solutions directly with enterprise SAP systems to increase process reliability.
Mechanical Lead / End Effector Lead
SOMTECH Robotics
College Station, USA
09.2024 - Current
- Directed the mechanical engineering team for the University Rover Challenge Mars rover, overseeing system architecture, CAD analysis, and mechanical integration.
- Led design and prototyping of an underactuated robotic gripper end-effector for specialized object manipulation.
- Collaborated with electrical and software teams to integrate multi-axis actuation, sensing networks, and control loops into a cohesive platform.
AI/ML Research Intern
Texas A&M University at Qatar
Al Rayyan, Qatar
05.2023 - 07.2023
- Built, trained, and evaluated machine learning models using TensorFlow and Python to explore neural network convergence.
- Applied hyperparameter tuning and metric-driven evaluations to improve baseline model classification accuracy.
Education
B.S. - Multidisciplinary Engineering Technology, Minor in Embedded Systems Integration
Texas A&M University
College Station, TX05-2027
Skills
- Robotics & Controls: Kinematics, Closed-Loop PID Tuning, Motion Planning & State Estimation
- Embedded Systems: C/C, Microcontrollers (STM32/Arduino), SBCs (Raspberry Pi), Serial Protocols (I2C/SPI/UART/PWM)
- Perception & Software: Python, ROS/ROS 2, Computer Vision (OpenCV), Sensor Fusion (LiDAR, IMU, Cameras)
- Electromechanical Design: Actuators & Motor Drivers, Sensor Integration, Power Systems, CAD & Hardware Prototyping
Selected Projects
SCUTTLE Search & Rescue Autonomous Mobile Robot
- Kinematics & Control: Calculated differential drive kinematics and tuned multi-loop PID controllers for trajectory tracking and motor actuation.
- Perception & SLAM: Interfaced LiDAR and RGB camera data to execute 2D SLAM mapping, dynamic obstacle avoidance, and target identification algorithms.
- Navigation Architecture: Implemented a navigation stack combining sensor fusion, global/local path planning, and finite-state machine decision logic.
- Hardware/Software Integration: Integrated high-torque DC motors, motor drivers, sensor power distribution networks, and Linux embedded hardware.
Vision-Guided Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR)
- Embedded Processing: Built a real-time Linux/Python processing pipeline on Raspberry Pi for sensor sampling, state estimation, and motor command execution.
- Closed-Loop Actuation: Configured closed-loop PID velocity control using optical encoder feedback and hardware PWM signals to H-bridge motor drivers.
- Vision & Inertial Tracking: Fused IMU telemetry with OpenCV color-space detection (HSV filtering) for closed-loop trajectory correction.
- Hardware Interfacing: Designed power regulation circuits, L298N motor drivers, and I2C/SPI sensor buses.
Automated Material Sorting System
- Multi-Sensor Acquisition: Built a sensor array using photo-interrupters, phototransistors, and strain-gauge load cells with HX711 amplifiers for material classification.
- Firmware Development: Wrote C/C++ firmware on STM32 and Arduino for real-time ADC sampling, digital signal filtering, and I/O interrupt handling.
- Classification & Actuation: Implemented threshold-based classification logic to trigger electromechanical and pneumatic sorting actuators.
Timeline
Project Engineering Intern
Tex-Tube Steel
05.2026 - 08.2026
Mechanical Lead / End Effector Lead
SOMTECH Robotics
09.2024 - Current
AI/ML Research Intern
Texas A&M University at Qatar
05.2023 - 07.2023
B.S. - Multidisciplinary Engineering Technology, Minor in Embedded Systems Integration
Texas A&M University