Matthew Padgett Email & Phone Number

San Francisco Bay Area

San Francisco Bay Area

• Developed mechatronic systems to deploy fire retardant from our aircraft, calibrate sensors, and weigh and balance our aircraft.
• Overhauled the avionics of our aircraft, which included creating detailed documentation, updated schematics, and comprehensive bill of materials.
• Led the effort to design, manufacture, integrate, and test a new avionics harness which improved system reliability and serviceability.
• Designed and manufactured various aircraft components and sub-systems using CAD, CNC-machining, 3D printing, waterjet cutting, and other methods.
• Participated in flight campaigns where I assisted with field troubleshooting and repairs. I also filled numerous testing roles including ground control station operator, range safety observer, primary mechanical.

Fredericksburg, VA

• Designed electrical systems for a six-wheeled, hybrid-electric robotic platform (WOLF).
• Developed test benches for crucial WOLF systems to verify design, maximize performance, and minimize cost.
• Developed, maintained, and evolved all WOLF electrical design documents to facilitate rapid procurement and fabrication.
• Created check-out and bring-up procedures for the WOLF to minimize errors and ensure project schedule was met.
• Modified WOLFs and peripherals to integrate hardware and electrical changes from lessons learned.
• Collaborated with a team to design modular payloads around the WOLF and its capabilities.

Salt Lake City, UT

• Designed a mechatronic apparatus to manufacture thermally activated artificial muscles, copper-wound TCPs.
• Built a custom test bed with data acquisition capabilities to measure the strain and speed of TCPs.
• Designed and executed experiments to analyze the thermal and mechanical characteristics of copper-wound TCPs.
• Characterized the relationship between TCP manufacturing parameters and performance.
• Optimized TCP performance with respect to strain, specific work, actuation time and scale.
• Collaborated with PI to decide research direction, set goals, and overcome obstacles.

Demonstrated computer-based problem-solving techniques for engineering systems. Explained challenging mechanical and coding concepts to 50 students in a beginner level course.

Taught basic coding and hardware-building principles to high school students. Created 20 projects to teach the use of sensors, actuators, and microcontrollers. Helped students troubleshoot code and build robots to ensure their success and enjoyment in the camp. Managed team members to assist in projects and activities.

Utilized SOLIDWORKS to create fabrication drawings, develop assembly models, and estimate job costs. Created custom models based on customer and company specifications. Oversaw the manufacturing of custom models and followed up on fabrication process. Maintained good communication with shop personnel to accomplish common goals. Organized past job cost.

Master Of Science - Ms, Mechanical Engineering, 3.53

Activities and Societies: Robotics Track

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Mechanical Engineering, 3.50