Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Projects
Certification
Languages
Timeline
Generic

Tomas Ronderos

Belmont

Summary

Mechanical Engineering graduate with hands-on experience in structural design, additive manufacturing, and dynamic system analysis. Skilled in SolidWorks modeling, Finite Element Analysis, and integrating systems. Grateful for the opportunity to contribute my skills to teams dedicated to creating innovative and meaningful engineering solutions.

Overview

3
3
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Research Assistant – Dr. Michael Abbott

Santa Clara University
Santa Clara
09.2024 - Current
  • Designed a 3D-printed, cable-driven hand orthosis in SolidWorks, including key components like the thimble, hand exoskeleton, whiffle tree for load sharing, and straps for cable connections to assist patients with limited finger mobility in grasping and improving manual dexterity.
  • Printed silicon casting molds for the thimble hand exoskeleton to produce flexible, comfortable parts for patient wearability.
  • Engineered the orthosis to interface with multiple control modules (buttons, EMGs, body-powered cables, etc.), allowing for adaptability when conducting studies on usability, effectiveness, and patient preference.

Mechanical Engineering Intern

Alef Aeronautics
San Mateo
04.2023 - 09.2023
  • Created and optimized 3D-printed structural components in SolidWorks, including brackets, battery housing, and headlight mounts, for integration into an Electric Vertical Take-off and Landing (EVTOL) vehicle.
  • Fabricated airfoils by laying multiple layers of Prepreg carbon fiber and meshed honeycomb paper panels on a mold, then curing them in a heating chamber to achieve high-strength, lightweight structures.
  • Designed, built, and tested a suspension and steering rig to analyze weight support and movement.
  • Worked directly with the Director of Engineering, applying problem-solving techniques to overcome design challenges and progress the prototype of the EVTOL.

Research Assistant – Dr. Jun Wang

Santa Clara University
Santa Clara
09.2022 - 09.2024
  • Developed MATLAB code to model cellular structures designed to absorb high-energy impacts.
  • Used nTopology to implement lattice structures into volumetric shells, enhancing structural integrity and reducing material weight, and performed Finite Element Analysis (FEA) simulations on an infilled femur model with various lattice structures to evaluate mechanical performance under stress conditions.
  • Performed FEA simulations on various lattice structures to identify those with the least internal stress.

Education

Master of Science - Mechanical Engineering

Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA
06.2025

Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering

Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA
06.2024

Skills

  • Finite Element Analysis
  • SolidWorks
  • Prototyping techniques
  • Team collaboration
  • Fluid Dynamics
  • Manufacturing Processes
  • NTopology
  • Dimensioning
  • MATLAB
  • Arduino
  • Python

Projects

  • Autonomous Drone-Landing Platform (Senior Capstone) - Worked with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute to retrofit an underwater mapping vessel to an autonomous landing platform for drones. Awarded Best Mechanical Engineering Project in its session.
  • Arcade Game - Created a coin-operated laser-based target-shooting arcade game. Designed and built the mechanical system, programmed the Arduino.
  • Machining Lab - Manufactured a fully functional single-cylinder engine powered by compressed air. Gained experience in precision manufacturing.
  • Mountainboard Assembly - Created a 50-part mountain board assembly using SolidWorks. Interpreted technical drawings for part dimensions.

Certification

  • Certified Solidworks Associate - Mechanical Design

Languages

English
Native/ Bilingual
Spanish
Native/ Bilingual

Timeline

Research Assistant – Dr. Michael Abbott

Santa Clara University
09.2024 - Current

Mechanical Engineering Intern

Alef Aeronautics
04.2023 - 09.2023

Research Assistant – Dr. Jun Wang

Santa Clara University
09.2022 - 09.2024

Master of Science - Mechanical Engineering

Santa Clara University

Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering

Santa Clara University
Tomas Ronderos