Maker & Engineering Portfolio

Engineering portfolio — focused, measurable, technical

My engineering work is centered around aerospace, robotics, and structural purposes. I am a part of the FTC Robotics team #17253 and lead Rocketry Club. My design and engineering work in these fields has enabled me to learn CAD software, analysis, and simulation software. I have an advanced proficiency in Fusion and Onshape. I am proficient in ANSYS computational fluid dynamics and topology optimization through thermal and linear static analysis software like nTop and Blender. I've selected projects that demonstrate the engineering process: problem, constraints, tradeoffs, design iterations, analysis, and results. Click a project to open the detailed slide deck that documents the process.

Highlights: FEA on hanging mount, Custom model rocket construction, Robot lifting mechanism
Contact: tarikw735@gmail.com

Hanging Mechanism for 20 lb FTC Robot — "Into The Deep"

Status: Finished

Brief: Designed and validated a hanging mechanism capable of reliably lifting and locking a 20 lb robot. Employed static and finite element analysis to ensure safety and repeatability.

Engineering challenge

Reduce weight while keeping safety factor > 2 under worst-case shock loads.

Purpose / impact

Secured match-winning functionality and increased team reliability during competitions. Won the 1st place Design Award

Skills gained:

CAD, static analysis, FEA, design for manufacturability, iteration under time constraints.

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Model Rocket — American Rocketry Competition

Status: In progress

Brief: Building and testing a model rocket aimed at meeting the ARC mission profile and stability requirements. Emphasis on predictable recovery and consistent motor performance.

Engineering challenge

Tune mass distribution and fin geometry to meet stability and altitude targets while keeping weight low.

Purpose / impact

Compete in ARC and demonstrate system-level understanding of flight dynamics and recovery systems.

Skills gained:

Aerodynamics basics, estimation of center-of-pressure vs. center-of-gravity, test procedures, manufacturing.

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Endgame Lifting Mechanism — FTC Decode 2025-2026

Status: In progress

Brief: Designing a robust endgame lift with repeatable actuation. Prioritizing compact stowage and fast deployment.

Engineering challenge

Fit inside robot constraints and ensure deployment within 5 seconds under competition loads.

Purpose / impact

Improve team scoring reliability and reduce cycle time during matches.

Skills gained:

Mechatronics, rapid prototyping, rule-driven design, mechanism timing analysis.

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Mars Oxygen Generator (Inspired by MOXIE)

Status: In progress

Brief: A prototype intake and processing concept inspired by MOXIE. Focused on intake filtration, thermal management, and electrochemical oxygen separation. Met with a JPL researcher for feedback; early electronics integration completed.

Engineering challenge

Operate in low-pressure, dusty conditions and optimize intake throughput vs. contamination.

Purpose / impact

Demonstrate end-to-end intake and initial processing stages for in-situ oxygen generation experiments.

Skills gained:

Electronics prototyping, CAD for intake geometry, concept validation with a domain researcher, and experimental methods.

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Liquid Rocket Engine Nozzle Research

Status: In progress (research)

Brief: Analytical and CFD exploration of optimal nozzle geometries for small-scale liquid rocket engines. The work seeded my eventual engine build (long-term).

Engineering challenge

Balance thrust, expansion ratio, and manufacturability for lab-built engines.

Purpose / impact

Create a validated design path to a small liquid rocket demonstrator for competition or research.

Skills gained:

Thermodynamics basics, nozzle theory, preliminary CFD, experimental planning.

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About / Technical summary

I'm a high school maker focused on robotics, rocketry, and aerospace concepts. My strength is taking incomplete ideas from analysis to physical prototypes and validating them with measurements and simulation.

Tools

SolidWorks / Fusion 360, basic FEA, Arduino / microcontrollers, basic CFD workflows

Languages

Python (scripting), MATLAB (basic), C/C++ microcontroller basics

Availability

Open to mentorship, research internships, and project collaborations.

Contact

Email: email@example.com

GitHub / Repo: Add link

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