Rithwik Nair
Austin,TX
Summary
I led and contributed to advanced robotics and engineering work across FIRST Tech Challenge, FIRST Robotics Competition, and independent research. I designed and built competition robots from concept through fabrication, integrating mechanical, electrical, and software systems under strict performance and time constraints. I mentored teams and expanded access to FIRST through outreach and advocacy. I conducted university-level research through NYU SPARK and independently developed original science-fair projects, including complex robotic and biomedical systems, applying rigorous experimentation, data analysis, and technical documentation throughout.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Lead Design Engineer
FIRST Robotics Competition Team 2583
08.2024 - Current
- Led mechanical design and system integration for full-scale competition robots, from concept through fabrication and assembly.
- Designed complex mechanisms and drivetrains using CAD, iterative prototyping, and rapid testing under build-season constraints.
- Collaborated with electrical and software subteams to ensure robust integration, reliability, and maintainability.
- Supported competition operations through pit leadership, rapid debugging, and performance-driven iteration.
- Addressed design challenges and evaluated alternative design models to meet project requirements.
Student Volunteer
FIRST Robotics
08.2024 - Current
- Mentored and supported FTC and FRC teams through technical guidance, design reviews, and competition preparation.
- Led outreach and advocacy efforts that expanded access to FIRST programs, contributing to the launch of multiple new teams.
- Collaborated with educators, district leadership, and community partners to strengthen local robotics infrastructure and sustainability.
- Promoted STEM engagement through workshops, mentorship, and ongoing support for rookie teams.
Team Captain
FIRST Tech Challenge Team 24133
06.2023 - Current
- Served as team captain and lead designer, overseeing robot architecture, mechanical design, and systems integration.
- Designed and built competition robots, iterating through CAD, prototyping, fabrication, and on-field testing.
- Led technical strategy and match execution, translating game analysis into reliable mechanisms and scoring systems.
- Coordinated team operations, documentation, and outreach while mentoring younger members to ensure continuity and technical depth.
- Challenged teammates to get better and work harder by constructively confronting negativity, pessimism and laziness.
- Invested time to build and strengthen relationships with teammates by inquiring about individual challenges and goals.
Individual Researcher
Self-employed
01.2022 - Current
- Designed and built advanced robotic and biomedical engineering systems, including a morphologically reconfigurable quadruped robot and a closed-loop transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) wearable.
- Led full-stack hardware development: mechanical design (CAD, structural analysis), custom PCB design, power architecture, sensor integration (biopotential, temperature, GSR), and embedded firmware.
- Implemented closed-loop control and data acquisition pipelines, using real-time sensor feedback to adapt system behavior and improve performance.
- Conducted structured experimentation and quantitative analysis to validate design decisions, system stability, and performance tradeoffs.
- Authored competition-grade research documentation, engineering notebooks, and technical presentations for science fairs and research venues.
Student Researcher
NYU Tandon School Of Engineering
07.2025 - 08.2025
- Conducted applied robotics and engineering research under university mentorship, translating theory into working prototypes and analyses.
- Designed, built, and tested experimental systems, using data-driven iteration to evaluate performance and refine designs.
- Collaborated with graduate students and peers in a lab-style research environment, following academic research workflows.
- Documented methods and results through technical reports and presentations, emphasizing clarity, rigor, and reproducibility.
Education
High School Diploma -
Westwood High School
Austin, TX05-2028
Skills
- Prototype development
- Quality control processes
- Strong analytical skills
- Team leadership
- Onshape CAD
- Fusion 360 CAM
- SimScale Simulation
- Large-scale robot mechanical architecture
- High-load drivetrain design
- Competition-grade CAD and tolerancing
- Rapid prototyping under build deadlines
- Structural design for impact loads
- Power transmission systems (gears, belts, chain)
- Cross-disciplinary subsystem integration
- Design for assembly and serviceability
- Real-time debugging at competitions
- Pit repair triage and iteration
Accomplishments
Awarded 2nd Place in Systems Software at the Greater Austin Science and Engineering Fair.
Awarded 2nd Place in Systems Software at the Texas Science and Engineering Fair
Awarded Dean's List Semi-Finalist in the FIRST Tech Challenge
Certification
PLTW (Project Lead The Way) Fusion 360 certification
Languages
Spanish
Limited Working
French
Elementary
English
Native or Bilingual
Hindi
Elementary
Malayalam
Elementary
Interests
- Electronics and Circuit Building
- Tech enthusiast, passionate about exploring the latest advancements and innovations
- Youth mentor, providing guidance and support to empower the next generation of leaders
- Martial Arts
- Coding and Programming
- Designing and Printing 3D Models
Timeline
Student Researcher
NYU Tandon School Of Engineering
07.2025 - 08.2025
Lead Design Engineer
FIRST Robotics Competition Team 2583
08.2024 - Current
Student Volunteer
FIRST Robotics
08.2024 - Current
Team Captain
FIRST Tech Challenge Team 24133
06.2023 - Current
Individual Researcher
Self-employed
01.2022 - Current
High School Diploma -
Westwood High School