Engineering Portfolio
Juan
Romero
Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Tech — propulsion, materials research, space robotics, and rapid prototyping.
Mechanical Engineering Lead — NASA L'SPACE Program
What?
Led the mechanical architecture for a lunar rover optimized for cryogenic exploration in Permanently Shadowed Regions (PSRs). Scope included a high-torque percussive-rotary drill for volatile extraction and a passive thermal control system to safeguard core infrastructure.
How?
- Owned the entire CAD lifecycle in Siemens NX to integrate chassis, suspension, and drilling subsystems
- Embedded the custom drill mechanism and developed ISRU workflows to harvest oxygen and hydrogen
- Strategically mapped Multi-Layer Insulation (MLI) layouts
Results
Delivered a structurally optimized rover engineered for extreme lunar terrain. The design enables closed-loop power via regenerative fuel cells to sustain operations through the lunar night and shields sensitive avionics from catastrophic freezing in 40K environments.
Materials Engineering Intern — Department of Energy, Fermilab
What?
Decreased surface contaminants in superconducting materials used in particle accelerators at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory.
How?
- Tested multiple oxidation techniques
- Characterized samples during the process using electron microscopy (SEM, XPS, confocal)
- Developed MATLAB and Python pipelines to quantify nanoscale defects
Results
With the best oxidation technique, 20% of surface carbides were eliminated, theoretically improving material performance and allowing accelerator energy to be used more efficiently.
Mechanical Engineer — RoboJackets
What?
Designed and machined a 500g autonomous bot to participate in robowrestling matches.
How?
- Used SolidWorks to design and simulate the mechanics
- Brought the robot from concept to reality — modeling and testing in SolidWorks, then fabricating through 3D printing, machining, and hands-on assembly
- Collaborated on ROS-based control strategies in Python
Results
Will compete at regional and national levels, continuously iterating on fixes and match strategy.
Rapid Prototyping & CAD Design — Magnetic Charging Mount
What?
Designed a mounting solution to secure a smartphone to a standard university bed frame (lofted). Optimized alarm proximity for the user while mitigating audio disturbance for roommates, within tight space constraints.
How?
- Integrated a MagSafe inductive charger slot with precise caliper measurements for a snap-fit enclosure
- Used SolidWorks to design an attachment fitting lofted bed guards
- 3D printed the final gadget in two design iterations
Results
Achieved a functional interference fit supporting the phone and charger without adhesives. Reduced device drops to zero and successfully localized alarm audio — finalized within 2 iterations.