Brandon Kerpel Email & Phone Number

Champaign, Illinois, United States

• Redesigned rear wing on Creo to increase downforce and static margin without significant weight or drag increases• Designed, simulated, and validated rear wing performance through CFD simulations and wind tunnel data• Lead 15 new members to assist with rear wing developments and taught fundamental engineering principles• Instituted new aerodynamic manufacturing procedures improving carbon fiber surface finish and reducing post-processing leading to performance gains from 5lbs reduced weight and nearly a month less manufacturing time• Executed precision manufacturing processes for part production, including carbon fiber layups, knee mill machining, and operating a waterjet• Designed and manufactured front hoop welding jig to prevent heat warpage and decrease manufacturing time• Created pitot tube mount for improving efficiency of wind tunnel data acquisition experiment

Champaign, Illinois, United States

• Ensured progress and lead assembly of Zenith STOL CH750 kit plane through new initiatives and hard deadlines• Managed design team in modeling on NX manufacturing in sheet metal, a North American P-51 Mustang model• Conducted training sessions for 40 new members, ensuring proficient and safe use of essential power tools• Managed meticulous documentation of project progress, adhering to FAA guidelines and quality standards• Assisted in facilitating re-establishment of club after 5-year hiatus through document submission to school officials, organizing hangar space, and restoring build logs for historical continuity

Chicago, Illinois, United States

• Improved security measures at 12 buildings through designed and implemented welding solutions• Instituted new automated system to improve efficiency and accuracy of finance and billing management• Managed and aided 15 punctual apartment renovations through construction skills and team coordination• Learned and utilized necessary skills to conduct repairs on plumbing and HVAC systems at 7 buildings

Champaign, Illinois, United States

• Made thousands of pellets with varying chemical properties capable of reusable long-term energy storage• Conducted thorough testing of pellets for mechanical strength, cycling strength, reactivity, and heat dissipation• Developed scripts for data tracking, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of long-term pellet performance.• Enhanced pellet-testing protocols and systems, optimizing accuracy and reliability for efficient evaluation• Systematically recorded, plotted, and analyzed testing results, leveraging data-driven insights to enhance pellet performance in future applications

Deerfield, Illinois, United States

• Generated $26,000+ of revenue through extensive marketing and outreach• Managed schedules and financials for 73 clients and 32 employed tutors • Tutored 13,000+ minutes across 28 clients leading to consistent grade increases• Adjusted teaching methods on an individual basis to best suit each client’s learning needs

Deerfield, Illinois, United States

• Dedicated 500+ hours to assembling a drivable car from a bare chassis and body• Constructed Shelby Cobra kit car with a Ford engine, independent suspension, power steering, & hydraulic clutch• Learned and became proficient in automotive tool operation including welders and air-compressor-powered tools • Researched car components and systems in order to understand how to fix the issues that arose during this project

Deerfield, Illinois, United States

• Mentored a team of novice students to teach them the skills necessary to sustain the future success of our team• Led team of newly-mentored members to win our regional competition and advance to the state competition • Designed CAD models to test viability of innovative robot systems and model 3D printed components for use on robot• Constructed robot according to design plan to achieve maximum success in each year’s challenge within deadlines

Deerfield, Illinois, United States

• Built cords and electronic components suited to properly comply with customer’s requirements• Assembled CNC controllers and signal generators in accordance with ordered axis number• Conducted testing on controllers & electronic components for accuracy with a Torchmate 4400 and Flashcut software• Packaged parts and controllers in accordance with orders and shipped to clients

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Major: Mechanical Engineering, Minor: Computer Science

Education record

Dual Enrollment, Mathematics

Enrolled in MATH 203: Calculus III Grade Earned: A

Dual Enrollment, Computer Science

Enrolled in CS 331: Data Structure and Algorithms Grade Earned: A