Unmanned Aerial Systems

Defense counter-UAS engineering and university rocketry drone payload development.

Overview

My experience with unmanned aerial systems spans both defense applications and academic research, combining hands-on UAS operations, mechanical design engineering, and cross-functional systems integration.

I hold an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, providing operational understanding of UAS flight dynamics, regulations, and mission planning that informs better engineering decisions.

Auburn University Rocketry Association

Autonomous Drone Payload System

Duration: 2019 - 2023 Role: Payload Design Team

As part of the Auburn University Rocketry Association, I contributed to the design and development of an autonomous quadcopter payload system for high-altitude rocket deployment and soil sample collection.

Mission Profile: The drone was designed to deploy from the rocket at apogee, descend via parachute to 200 feet, untether from the parachute, autonomously navigate to a designated landing site, and collect a soil sample.

Key Engineering Challenges:

  • Compact Packaging Design: Designed a quadcopter with folding mechanisms to fit inside the tubular rocket body while maintaining structural integrity and deployment reliability.

  • Deployment Mechanism: Developed systems for safe ejection at apogee and controlled parachute descent, followed by autonomous untethering at 200 feet altitude.

  • Autonomous Navigation: Integrated flight control systems for autonomous navigation from parachute release point to the designated landing site and soil sample collection.

Technical Details:

  • Quadcopter configuration with 4 propellers
  • Folding/compact design to fit within cylindrical rocket body constraints
  • Autonomous flight control for navigation and precision landing
  • Integrated soil sample collection mechanism
  • Parachute deployment and untethering system
  • High-altitude operation capability

SCI Technology - Aeroguard Counter-UAS

Defense Unmanned Systems Engineering

Position: Mechanical Design Engineer (CO-OP) Company: SCI Technology Program: Aeroguard Counter-UAS Defense Platform Duration: 2021 - 2023

From 2021 to 2023, I worked as a mechanical design engineer at SCI Technology on the Aeroguard counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) platform—a defense system designed to detect, track, and neutralize hostile drones in tactical environments.

This role provided hands-on experience in defense unmanned systems engineering, combining mechanical design, cross-functional collaboration, and rapid R&D prototyping in support of operational defense missions.

Key Contributions

  • Mechanical Component Design: Created 3D CAD models and technical drawings for C-UAS platform components using SolidWorks, supporting both prototype development and manufacturing readiness.

  • Cross-Functional Integration: Collaborated with electrical, software, and systems engineering teams to integrate mechanical subsystems with sensors, actuators, and control electronics.

  • Design for Manufacturing & Automation: Applied DFM and DFA principles to defense unmanned systems, optimizing designs for CNC machining, rapid prototyping, and assembly efficiency.

  • Iterative R&D Prototyping: Supported fast-paced prototype builds and design validation cycles, iterating on mechanical designs based on performance testing and operational feedback.

  • System Integration & Testing: Participated in integrated system testing to validate mechanical performance, structural integrity, and operational readiness in realistic defense scenarios.

Technical Context

Counter-UAS Mission: Counter-unmanned aerial systems are critical defense technologies designed to protect military installations, critical infrastructure, and personnel from hostile drone threats. The Aeroguard platform integrates detection, tracking, and interdiction capabilities to neutralize airborne threats in contested environments.

Engineering Challenges:

  • Rugged construction for field deployment and operational environments
  • Rapid assembly/disassembly for tactical mobility
  • Integration with electronic subsystems (sensors, actuators, power systems)
  • Design optimization for manufacturing scalability and cost constraints
  • Iterative prototyping to meet evolving operational requirements

Cross-Functional Collaboration: Working on a defense platform requires tight coordination across disciplines including electrical engineering, software engineering, and systems engineering to balance performance, weight, cost, and operational constraints.

Skills Developed

Mechanical Engineering:

  • SolidWorks CAD modeling and technical drawing
  • Design for manufacturing (DFM) and design for automation (DFA)
  • Mechanical subsystem integration
  • Rapid prototyping and iterative design validation

Systems Integration:

  • Cross-functional team collaboration (mechanical, electrical, software)
  • System-level thinking and interface management
  • Prototype build support and testing

Defense Technology Context:

  • Understanding of operational requirements for defense platforms
  • Experience with ruggedized, field-deployable system design
  • Exposure to defense R&D workflows and validation processes

Relevance to Advanced Manufacturing & Automation

The mechanical design and systems integration skills developed through these UAS projects translate directly to R&D automation engineering and manufacturing systems development:

  • Design for Automation: Experience optimizing mechanical designs for automated assembly and manufacturing processes
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Working at the intersection of mechanical, electrical, and software disciplines
  • Rapid Prototyping Methodology: Iterative R&D approach with fast build-test-refine cycles
  • Systems Integration: Understanding of how mechanical, electrical, and software subsystems work together

Combined with my current work on industrial robot integration and PCS7 automation systems, this UAS background provides a unique perspective on both production-scale automation and advanced R&D development.

Note: Due to the proprietary nature of defense programs, detailed technical specifications and imagery for the Aeroguard project cannot be publicly shared. This project description focuses on general engineering methodology and skills development.