Winnie Chen

Mechanical Engineering @ Northwestern University | Posse Scholar | Engineering and Operations

Greater Chicago Area

About

Feel free to contact me at [email protected] I am a Mechanical Engineering student at Northwestern University with a strong focus on automation, additive manufacturing, circuit prototyping, and data science. I have hands-on experience designing, fabricating, and testing mechanical systems using 3D printing (PLA, infill optimization), CAD (Onshape, Solidworks, AutoCAD), and rapid prototyping, supported by structural analysis and experimental validation. My work spans hardware–software integration, including ESP32- and Arduino-based circuit prototyping, sensor integration, and iterative build-test cycles. I also apply data science and machine learning tools (Python, R, MATLAB) for data analysis, modeling, and visualization, particularly in engineering and human-centered design contexts. I am interested in roles that sit at the intersection of mechanical systems, automation, data-driven engineering, and product development, where analytical rigor and creative problem-solving are equally valued.

Experience

  • Undergraduate Research Assistant at Northwestern University
    Sep 2025 - Present · 10 mos

    Adaptive Structures Lab Designed and ran wind tunnel experiments to study fluid–structure interactions in flexible systems. Built test setups and collected repeatable data to identify vibration regimes and support ongoing lab research.

  • Payload Electrical Engineer at Northwestern University Space Technology and Rocketry Society
    Sep 2025 - Present · 10 mos

    Designed a 24V to 5V buck converter PCB in KiCad (~5A target) and built a CAD ground station enclosure for system integration.

  • MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (Remote)
    • Design Build and Fly Teaching Assistant
      Sep 2025 - Apr 2026 · 8 mos

      Taught 20+ students aeronautics fundamentals and guided them through the full design–build–fly cycle. Mentored teams through prototyping and debugging, increasing successful aircraft builds and flight tests.

    • Microelectronics Teaching Assistant
      Jun 2025 - Aug 2025 · 3 mos

      Mentored 30+ students in Arduino and C++ for embedded systems and hands-on prototyping. Built a Python tool for team assignment and introduced structured design reviews to improve project outcomes.

  • Design Engineering Intern at Institute for Therapy through the Arts
    Oct 2024 - Jun 2025 · 9 mos

    Designed a React-based inventory system, improving usability for therapy staff managing materials. Collaborated with full-stack developers and built frontend features to streamline workflows and reduce manual tracking.

  • Extern at DMC Engineering
    Dec 2024 - Jan 2025 · 2 mos

    Toured DMC Chicago’s headquarters to gain hands-on lab experience with the Automation and Test & Measurement teams, using LabVIEW and Siemens TIA Portal to program a PLC-controlled traffic system, while learning from real client projects and engaging directly with CEO Frank Riordan.