Mechanical (Aerospace) Engineer
"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom."
Ecclesiastes 9:10 NIV
ABOUT
Hey there, my name is Terrence. I'm a junior at North Dakota State University studying Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Aerospace Engineering. I work in the Structural and Thermal Systems Branch as a Student Trainee at NASA Langley Research Center with a focus on loads and dynamics.
I was born and raised in the Philippines and grew up in San Miguel, Bulacan while my parents worked overseas in Singapore. My earliest memories of aviation came from the flights that let me see them. What started as a personal connection to the skies eventually grew into an obsession with aerospace.
My family soon immigrated to the United States when I was 13. After completing middle and high school in Bismarck, North Dakota, I moved to Fargo to study Mechanical Engineering at North Dakota State University with the intent of focusing on aerospace applications. I'm the first engineer in my family.
Beyond my academic and professional commitments, I've been involved with and served as a leader in various college organizations such as ASME, AIAA, Rocketry, Robotics, and Climbing Club. I spend most of my free time rock climbing, running, dabbling in photography, and working on creative projects.
EXPERIENCE
Structural and Thermal Systems Branch Student Trainee
OSTEM Summer 2026 ⋅ Pathways Fall 2026
Authoring a Technical Memorandum on Gaussian process surrogate models for composite LV trade studies, programming Python tools for HyMPI instrument to identify design parameters with the largest performance impact, and will be performing upcoming simulation work in support of the Commercial Crew Program
Mechanical Engineering Co-op
Designed R&D test fixtures for weld development and validation, performed in-house tests to validate filtration products, investigated weld quality and penetration at welding parameter settings through a DOE, and developed a custom loss-in-weight volumetric feeder for production line
Structural and Thermal Systems Branch Intern
OSTEM Summer 2025
Produced a NASTRAN optimization workflow using Monte Carlo sampling and Bayesian active learning for LV structures, support SpaceX testing at the Landing and Impact Research Facility (LandIR) and assisted with simulation quantification for the Air Traffic Operations Lab (ATOL)
Research and Development Engineering Intern
Performed mechanical assessments and chemical characterizations on resin formulations, fiberglass strand mats, and composite parts to qualify materials and advance the scientific understanding of inline pultrusion processes and adjacent functions
Field Robot Operator
Coordinated remotely with Washington-based engineering teams to troubleshoot autonomous weeding systems, supervised daily operations of 5-15 robots and led 3-5 personnel for data collection and qualification of software versions
FEATURED PROJECTS
High Powered Rocket Data Logger
Designed and built the entire electrical architecture for a competition high-powered rocket, programming flight software in embedded C++ for sensor logging, Madgwick attitude estimation, EKF development, controlling a 8,000 RPM reaction wheel for roll command, and controlling a LoRa & MOSFET-based power management system for remote authority over avionics system
30lb Combat Robot 'Cowbot'
Directed an engineering team of 3 students to design and fabricate a combat robot for UIUC's Robobrawl X, optimizing its structural framework, designing a high-torque chain drivetrain, and implementing a modified high-energy drum weapon to deliver maximal impact all using PTC Onshape
Self-taught personal website build through 3 iterations with foundational web development technologies and coded in VSCode, hosted through Github pages leveraging tools such as Tailwind CSS
EDUCATION
BS Mechanical Engineering, Minor in Aerospace Engineering
Certificate in Computer Science Foundations
Selected Awards & Honors:
2026 & 2025 NDGSC Awardee
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2023 ND Scholar
CERTIFICATIONS
Private Pilot Certificate (ASEL)
70+ hours in C172, C150, and PA28 aircraft
Copyright © 2026 Terrence Andre San Gabriel