Ashley Zeman Email & Phone Number

Pittsburgh, Pa, Us

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Assisted in designing and building innovative wearable robotics systems such as prosthetics and exoskeletons through conceptual and detailed design, engineering analysis, and rapid prototyping. This role also involves contributing to the design of characterization equipment and testing procedures for wearable machines, with a focus on applying and expanding knowledge in robotic systems, including mechanism design, feedback control, sensors, mechatronics, and optimization.Led the complete redesign of an exoskeleton for a $60K+ system to fit children with Cerebral Palsy, using anthropometry data to size parts and perform kinematic analyses for safety. Ensured the system supports independent walking for children in research labs.• Communicated daily with the CEO and regularly with the Director of Engineering and Production Lead, gaining operational insights and focusing on the end-user population.• Conducted 3D printed prototyping and testing to ensure tolerance of swappable parts for children ages 5 to 12. Executed custom composite machining for 28 carbon fiber parts, created design layouts for CNC milling, and used laminating epoxy for carbon fiber sealing.• Created 10 Bills of Materials and 8 CAD drawings to meet global standards, and managed quality checks for 60+ parts across various products.• Presented in customer-facing meetings for design reviews, fielded questions on models, materials, and measurements, and briefed management on design updates.• Assembled actuator systems, developed new work instructions, reverse-engineered sub-assemblies, and created SOPs for prototyping and software usage.• Mentored a high school summer intern, delegated tasks, instructed on safe machining practices, and trained on company protocols.

State College, Pennsylvania, United States

Embraced escalating responsibility in the student-run organization, 100+ active members, designing and manufacturing a formula-style race car for the annual Formula SAE competition at Michigan International Speedway. As a full-time commitment, gained and exercised engineering, testing/validation, financial, and marketing skills in bringing a competitive car to life. • Managed the development of the entire chassis, firewall, and torsional rigidity jig design with a $6K budget. Instituted a new process resulting in reduction of design time by four months (66%), the most efficient design cycle in three years. Coordinated team-wide design meetings to verify team setup and both design and manufacturing deadlines. Developed new design practices throughout the team to ensure every part and assembly fit into chassis. • Managed a subsystem of over 50 students and worked with fellow leads to manage a team of over 300 students. Focused on ensuring new member retention through delegating tasks and teaching new members. Led and supported largest chassis subsystem in over 4 years in the goal of creating and building out new projects to allow for more validation and documentation of the main tubeframe.• Introduced Lean Manufacturing (Kanban) processes for chassis development, which enhanced the efficiency of task delegation. Reorganized and created new Project Management roles to effectively distribute work and focus on the needs of the team, including enhancing finances and documentation for future years.• Created new relationships with potential sponsors that netted deals worth $13000+ in materials. Collaborated with administration to create and optimize a budget for the subsystem.

State College, Pennsylvania, United States

Member of chassis subsystem focusing on manufacturing and creation of the carbon fiber monocoque in the goal of creating a fast and functional Formula Racing car. Skills gained include a working knowledge of composites such as aramid and carbon fiber, SolidWorks knowledge such as the basics of Finite Element Analysis (FEA), and working with a variety of mold materials like PLA, polyurethane foam, and fiberglass. Invited as a key member to the 2023 Electric Vehicle SAE competition held in Michigan.2022-23 accomplishments include working to design and build first every full carbon fiber monocoque and passing chassis tech/SES at competition.

State College, Pennsylvania, United States

Applied and selected as Project Manager for Chassis for the 2023-24 season. In this role I am primarily working on the firewall section of the chassis.My goals surrounding the firewall are to innovate in terms of layup design to take away weight on the firewall. I am also working to lead a group of students to ensure that the firewall provides safety to the driver and passes regulations. As a Project Manager I was also put in charge of designing the body panels for the car that will be made of a denim composite as well as manufacturing both the panels and the nosecone for the car. This process was highly centered around the fact that our body panels also functioned as the livery for the car.As a Project Manager I have also chosen to lead a soft skill for Chassis with planning. I am pivoting the subsystem towards Kanban board style planning. This method allows our team to know what projects need help as well as where our deficiencies lie in planning. This will result in our timeline being better planned and ultimately easier to execute.Coordinated the firewall project group, finishing with the best result in a decade – 25th of 78 teams worldwide – as judged in static and dynamic events including cost analysis, design evaluation, and an endurance race.

Selected as a new Penn State student to join a research lab primarily staffed by graduate students, working with Dr. Anne Martin and leading research aimed at improving rehabilitation. • Currently leading research funded by the National Institute of Health, studying speed transitions in elderly adults. Recruited participants and designed and executed research and data collection on that slice of time and activity that often results in balance loss or falls. Analysis is currently in progress. • Developed an extensive Institutional Review Board (IRB) document detailing the study, resulting in Review Board approval in February 2023. Underwent a Post-IRB Approval Review to ensure the quality of study design was up to standards. • Uses advanced technology such as Bertec Dual Belt Treadmill with force plates, Vicon Cameras, and MATLAB to perform studies with elderly adults.

Greensboro, North Carolina, United States

Design, test, and manufacture cooling systems and exhaust components for HD trucks while leading or contributing to the development of advanced concepts. Use Creo CAD for product development, manage product documentation, and collaborate with simulation engineers to ensure performance and durability requirements are met with a focus on minimizing power consumption. • Designed, tested, and validated five exhaust and engine components for 2026-2027 Volvo truck models. Took initiative to make tangible contributions to 2024-released vehicles as well as future production models.• Produced 100+ CAD drawings and manufactured 43 separate custom brackets in two months for the Transmission and Distribution Test Rig for thermal flow analysis. Manufactured hands-on and in collaboration with the Machine Shop.• Achieved a 100% acceptance rate in parts requests as a result of creating detailed, complete, and compelling drawings.• Cultivated trust and relationships with the Machine Shop, asking the right questions during a rotation in the prototype shop that allowed involvement in fabricating 60+ parts for prototypes, testing, and in-production trucks. • Led a task force focused on eliminating coolant leaks across five different engine platforms, collaborating closely with local production workers, global design, and parts suppliers to diagnose the problem and develop solutions.• Successfully resolved six Product Issue Logs, enhancing the manufacturability and reliability of components and assemblies in current production trucks.• Conducted 50+ trouble-shooting and rapid improvement events in conjunction with the Test Rig designer, ensuring manufacturability for rapid production and improved fit and function.• Collaborated with multiple suppliers, driving improvements through updated drawings and Design Change Notices.

Bachelor'S Of Science, Mechanical And Biomedical Engineering, 3.21

Activities and Societies: Nittany Motorsports, Sigma Kappa Sorority, Schreyer for Women, Penn State Combat Robotics

High School Diploma With High Honors, 4.37

Activities and Societies: National Honors Society, Key Club, Robotics Club, Book Club, Speech and Debate, Varsity Athlete, Scholar Athlete