Eric Cora Email & Phone Number

Los Angeles, Ca, Us

Irvine, Ca, Us

1. Figure out why the car is hot 2. Write control algorithms that do something about it• Diagnosed and resolved vehicle thermal inefficiencies by analyzing fleet data and developing targeted control algorithms.• Pioneered the development of advanced thermal control algorithms for Rivian's first heat pump, optimizing battery, powertrain, and cabin environment performance (patent pending).• Implemented sophisticated, layered control strategy translating high-level thermal requirements into actionable control targets, combining proactive and reactive controls for responsive thermal management.• Created dynamic algorithms prioritizing heat movement based on real-time conditions, leveraging full capabilities of thermal architecture to maximize performance and efficiency.• Utilized model-based design with MATLAB & Simulink to simulate, validate, and optimize thermal management systems, reducing reliance on physical prototypes and accelerating development timelines.• Developed an innovative cooling distribution controller that balances HVAC and battery cooling, optimizing both cabin comfort and vehicle performance under high-load conditions.• Collaborated across engineering teams to seamlessly integrate thermal management solutions into vehicle designs, ensuring compatibility and efficiency with other systems.• Formulated and implemented passive/active battery cooling strategies, reducing energy consumption by 7x in cold-mid ambient conditions through intelligent arbitration between battery-only and cabin + battery cooling modes.• Led the development of thermal models for a new vehicle program, defining the architecture and ensuring robust thermal performance from concept to production.

Cambridge, Ma, Us

I tutored students in 2.005 (Thermal-Fluids Engineering 1) and 2.006 (Thermal-Fluids Engineering 2).

Hawthorne, California, Us

At SpaceX, we use the thermal-fluid sciences to develop and operate products that enable the exploration of our solar system and the improvement of life here on Earth. For our spacecraft, we care that a part is easily manufacturable, cheap, and high-performance. We are only concerned with temperature so far as it impacts those attributes.Below are some of the responsibilities I held as an intern on the Thermal and Fluid Analysis team:• Responsible for keeping the hot stuff hot and the cold stuff cold.• Perform Thermal-Fluid analysis for Dragon (Crew and Cargo), Falcon 9, Starlink, and Starship.• Served as the thermal responsible engineer for the Raptor engine avionics enclosure, ensuring ascent and orbital re-entry survival.• Defined a new Crew Dragon forward hatch leak check criteria based on new thermal analysis, drastically reducing docking and crew ingress timeline to the International Space Station.• Served as the thermal responsible engineer for Crew Dragon's new Cupola selfie-cam thermal protection system and proved no-nosecone re-entry survivability.

Cambridge, Ma, Us

- Course Facilitator and Beta Tester for 2.25x Advanced Fluid Mechanics (Graduate level)

Kent, Wa, Us

• Performed structural analysis using ANSYS & NASGRO for the BE-3PM liquid rocket engine in preparation for its first human flight on the New Shepard launch vehicle.• Analyzed the strength, fatigue, and fracture characteristics of flight critical hardware blocking the path to New Shepard’s human flight certification.

Hawthorne, California, Us

• Performed Thermal-Fluid analysis for Dragon, Starlink, and Falcon 9• Determined Crew Dragon's heat rejection and TCS loop temp requirements. Set target performance parameters for CD's cabin heat exchanger and LC-39A's chilled water system.• Served as a Thermal RE (Responsible Engineer) during a 4 week long TVAC (Thermal-Vacuum) test for a customer payload. Was responsible for defining and executing the overall test environment and scope. Ensured test environment matched simulation. Led non-conformance investigations and diagnosed potential errors on the fly, instructing operators to alter the chamber conditions to ensure hardware/payload survival. • Developed, tested, and correlated a Thermal Desktop model of Starlink's next-gen ISL (Inter Satellite Link) module. Integrated ISL into existing Starlink model to gauge impact on vehicle thermal balance. Used model results to guide material selection and surface finishes for the final revision of the ISL. Utilized model to set ATP/QTP limits of flight hardware and tested survivability of hardware under these conditions.• Supported critical push to flight efforts for Crew Dragon's Demo-2 mission by quickly and continuously updating the thermal model to validate structural and thermal changes.• Performed critical and timely 3D modeling of Crew Dragon's Low-Flow Propellent Isolation valves to support system redesign efforts that guided critical path hardware work before launch.• Enabled real-time data analysis during the Crew Demo-2 mission by writing code in Python to interface with the Hyperion system. Allows for live data comparison between predicted vs actual temperature readouts for all temperature sensors throughout the vehicle.• Supported the design of crew life support systems by bounding expected thermal loads to guide material selection and mounting layouts.• Reduced engineering investment in per-mission analysis by automating case set development and importation via Thermal Desktop’s API.

Austin, Texas, Us

• Performed crash, safety, and durability analysis for the entire vehicle except the powertrain using FEA software.• Developed FE model builds, updates, and methodologies to support vehicle engineering design and manufacturing.• Created and maintained structural CAE models in ANSA for the Model S, 3, X, and Y vehicle programs to achieve best-in-class safety ratings.• Collaborated with various engineering teams to design correlated FEA models capable of accurately predicting crash behavior.• Performed CAE analysis to optimize the structure of the 2nd-row seat assembly for an upcoming vehicle program.• Supported critical manufacturing deadlines in Fremont by validating the feasibility of structural changes intended to optimize production and determining its impact on vehicle crash performance.

Elmhurst, Illinois, Us

• Collaborated across departments to rethink the company’s approach to how it handles binned and export orders.• Led weekly transactional meetings with management to identify problem accounts and strategize next steps.• Analyzed 3,000+ binned orders using IC1 & Excel to assess the quality of the binning process and identify areas for improvement.• Analyzed shipping data from 100+ orders to determine carrier reliability when an interception is requested.• Developed a framework for actively tracking binning credits that will be implemented in the warehouse.

Cambridge, Massachusetts, Us

• Results: We finished 1st in the United States and 5th in the world.• Aided in the mechanical design and planning of a pod for the 2019 SpaceX Hyperloop competition. • Developed a MATLAB system dynamics model to optimize and refine the performance of the pod’s suspension system at high speeds.• Ensured operational safety by analyzing chassis vibration modes using SolidWorks simulation tools.• Redesigned the battery compartment and mounting system based on results from FEA calculations.• Used numerical analysis results to guide the design of the pod’s lateral stability and vertical suspension systems.

Cambridge, Ma, Us

• Perform stochastic simulations in LAMMPS to analyze small-scale fluid flow and solid-state heat transfer.• Implement Bash scripts to automatically run simulations and export extracted data.• Determine the self-diffusivity of a Lennard-Jones fluid as a function of density and temperature.• Use molecular simulations to characterize the layering behavior of water and methane molecules at a graphene interface.

Cambridge, Ma, Us

• Help to facilitate an experimental course called 2.S989r Computational Thinking for Modeling and Simulation.• Assist in the development of the course syllabus.• Organize materials on the course website (videos, pdf, questions) for ease of use.• Design practice questions for each chapter in order to gauge learning progress.

Cambridge, Ma, Us

- Develop and program a set of soft actuators that are able to perform complex, non-linear motions.- Design and test applications for the fabricated actuators for use in soft-robotics technology (i.e.: search and rescue, bio-mimicry, and medical use).- Extrapolate relevant and usable position data of the limbs of a walking insect using image analysis techniques.- Analyze the extrapolated 3D coordinate data, creating a dynamic model of the trajectory in MATLAB.- Optimize the parameters governing the motion of the actuator(material selection for different segments, actuator diameter,etc.) using a MATLAB optimization script.- Create a CAD model of the actuator in SolidWorks and fabricate a working prototype.

Cambridge, Ma, Us

Teaching assistant for 8.02: Electromagnetism.• Assisted in teaching the course to 160 undergraduates.• Answered questions and walked students through exercises.• Reinforced lessons presented by the lecturer by reviewing material with students one-on-one or in small groups during office hours.• Held exam review sessions prior to upcoming assessments.• Graded tests, exams, quizzes, and in-class experiments.

Chicago, Il, Us

• I work with students one on one to achieve a mastery of their courses. • I identify where in their thought process the misconception is formed, and use relevant examples to help solidify their understanding of the material.

Cambridge, Ma, Us

• Participated in a summer session focused on enhancing oral & written communication, problem-solving and leadership.• Cultivate peer, staff and faculty relationships throughout the year by attending professional development workshops & support events.

Cambridge, Ma, Us

• Analyzed energy usage data from labs on campus in order to pinpoint the largest sources of inefficiency.• Designed an attachment for chemical fume hoods that reduces energy usage.

• Taught 65 students around the Greater Boston Area SAT Math and improved test scores by an average of 70 points.• Designed and structured the class' curriculum, adapting it based on student feedback and identified areas of needed improvement.• Facilitated group problem-solving activities and encouraged inter-student communication.

Cambridge, Ma, Us

Selected as one of 50 participants from thousands of applicants nationwide for this 3-day opportunity to explore the ins and outs of life at MIT. Additionally, participants were able to sit in on classes, attend admissions workshops held by faculty, and dorm with a current student.

New York, Ny, Us

- Facilitated the maintenance of the area surrounding the Housing Complex, ensuring that it remained clean.

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Mechanical Engineering

International Baccalaureate Diploma; High-School Diploma; Advanced Regents Diploma