Houston, Texas, United States
Rice University alum (Will Rice College, 2018) and aerospace engineer supporting NASA’s Johnson Space Center (JSC) as a contractor through Amentum. I provide engineering services to the Structural Loads and Dynamics team, where I currently support the Gateway space station and the Human Lander System (HLS) programs. In my current role, I specialize in structural loads analysis and dynamic modeling, contributing to coupled loads analysis (CLA) efforts for Gateway and HLS. I develop and maintain custom Python tools that streamline workflows and integrate with NASA’s in-house analysis tools (e.g., PyYeti, NumPy) to support large-scale structural simulations and flight data processing. My past contributions at JSC have included developing vibration tests and designing test fixtures for structural components, performing FEM refinement and mass property checks for the VIPER lunar rover using FEMAP, and supporting integrated test and analysis cycles across major Artemis program elements. Prior to my structural dynamics work, I supported the xEMU spacesuit team in thermal and mechanical design, where I conducted detailed thermal analysis for onboard computing hardware in lunar conditions and created ground support fixtures for suit testing. My early career included R&D engineering for Weatherford’s Magnus horizontal drilling tool, and internships with Carollo Engineers and AECOM in infrastructure and construction engineering. I bring a versatile background in both engineering and creative design, with a passion for systems thinking, modeling, and spaceflight hardware development.
As a structural loads and dynamicist supporting NASA’s Johnson Space Center through Amentum, I contribute to the structural analysis and flight readiness of critical Artemis program elements, including the Gateway lunar space station and Human Lander System (HLS). My work focuses on: Performing coupled loads analysis (CLA) to assess dynamic environments experienced during launch, docking, and mission operations. Developing Python-based tools to streamline workflows and automate data handling for structural simulation. Collaborating across multi-disciplinary teams to ensure integrated structural performance and compliance with system requirements. I support modeling efforts, data generation, and systems integration that directly inform design decisions for NASA's next-generation lunar architecture.
Analyzing stresses and dynamic loads on projects for NASA such as humanity's first space station in lunar orbit, Gateway, and VIPER, a lunar rover prospecting for lunar resources.
Performing thermal analyses for NASA's Johnson Space Center by utilizing thermal design principles, Thermal Desktop; a AutoCAD plug-in, and MATLAB to generate both mathematical and 3D models of various components for the International Space Station and the xEMU Spacesuit.
With the announcement of NASA's Artemis mission to get astronauts back to the moon by 2024, Jacobs Engineering has been tasked with developing a reliable and innovative space suit for various exploration activities. As a mechanical design engineer on the exploration space suit project, I am tasked with designing, developing, testing, handling implementation, and analyzing technical parts on the exploration space suit and International Space Station.
Working on developing, maintaining, and testing the Magnus Rotary Steerable System; a drilling technology used for directional drilling.
Mentoring and assisting Rice University students with engineering design projects, utilizing: 3D printing, laser cutting, plasma cutting, MIG welding, arc welding, CNC mills, table saws, band saws, routers and lathes. Knowledge of design software such as: AutoCAD, SOLIDWORKS, Ansys, Simplify3D, Matlab, and Labview were all necessary.
Mentoring and assisting Rice University students with engineering design projects, utilizing: 3D printing, laser cutting, plasma cutting, MIG welding, arc welding, CNC mills, table saws, band saws, routers and lathes. Knowledge of design software such as: AutoCAD, SOLIDWORKS, Ansys, Simplify3D, Matlab, and Labview are all necessary.
Worked to best represent the values and opinions of members at Will Rice College. Will Rice college is a residential college at Rice University with approximately 350 members. I coordinated directors, committees, and the Executive cabinet in both short and long term activities to improve student life at Will Rice. WRWS.