Mechanical engineering student at UC Riverside
Combat robots, an FSAE car, a Mach-1 rocket, and an underwater robot that moves by snapping nitinol tubes. I'm on five teams and juggling too many side projects — which is kind of the point.
About me
I'm Naman — a mechanical engineering student at UC Riverside (3.93 GPA, 2026 BCOE Engineering Scholarship recipient) who is eager to get their feet wet (and I mean very wet). I started with FRC robotics in high school, and at UCR that turned into combat robots, a race car, high-power rockets, and a research lab.
Combat robotics humbled me very quickly. When you think everything you designed is perfect and exceptional, you witness your robot get demolished within thirty seconds and realize that you are far from the 'meta' design. However, I don't give up because of that. That moment has made me always test my robot design early, analyze the failure, and redesign before the next event.
I also care about making it easier for other people to build. I pitched a $20k proposal for a dedicated manufacturing space for Mechanical Engineering senior design teams to 100+ attendees at UCR's 2026 Re:Write, Re:Build Symposium.
Projects & experience
Undergraduate Researcher · Robotics and Medical Systems Lab, UCR
Developing an underwater robot actuated by the snap-through of nested precurved superelastic nitinol tubes — adapting a concentric tube manipulator mechanism from minimally invasive surgical robotics into a propulsion system. Secured a $1k research mini grant to fund equipment and development.
Working with: nitinol, compliant mechanisms, rapid prototyping
If you want to know more details, contact me!Executive Board Member · Highlander Combat Robotics
Led three vertical spinner designs that competed at UC Irvine and USC, modeling the weapon assemblies and chassis in Fusion and wiring brushless motors, ESCs, LiPo batteries, and RC receivers into the drivetrain and weapon systems. Redesigned the drum weapon between events after post-match failure analysis.
Working with: Fusion, brushless drives, LiPo power systems
Associate Engineer · FSAE Highlander Racing
Modeled SolidWorks assemblies of a V6 engine and the FSAE chassis with tolerancing, and generated 5+ GD&T manufacturing drawings for the chassis subteam's cost report. Currently researching frame design validation, physical torsion testing methods, and composite floor R&D for vehicle integration.
Working with: SolidWorks, GD&T, FEA
L1 Member · Highlander Space Program
Simulating aerodynamic stability and the flight profile in OpenRocket for a Mach-1-capable high-power rocket, working toward NAR Level 1 certification — with fiberglass-laminated fins to mitigate transonic fin flutter.
Working with: OpenRocket, fiberglass composites
Manufacturing Team · Highlander Space Program
Developed CAM toolpaths to produce hardware for the structures and propulsion subteams, and completed technical training in the ME machine shop running CNC mills and lathes for precision part fabrication.
Working with: CAM, CNC mills & lathes
Officer · Lynbrook Robotics
Co-led the design and fabrication of a competition-winning robot in Autodesk Inventor, integrating 15+ custom FDM-printed pulleys for a belt-driven continuous elevator — 4 finals appearances across 8 events. Oversaw 10+ field elements for realistic testing and trained 40+ members on tools and shop protocols, keeping a zero-incident record through the 2024 build season.
Working with: Autodesk Inventor, FDM printing, CNC mill and router
Skills
Beyond the classes
Of course I have a life outside of robotics (or at least I hope)
Contact
I'm always interested in talking about robots, rockets, and manufacturing — or internship opportunities where I can build meaningful hardware.
Riverside, CA & San Jose, CA