Jesse Yu – Engineering Portfolio

About Me

I am a curious Mechanical Engineer with a strong foundation in product development, mechatronics, and manufacturing. My expertise spans the entire product lifecycle, from initial concept design to final production, with a focus on creating innovative and efficient solutions.

With hands-on experience in CAD/CAE, prototyping, and engineering analysis, I enjoy solving complex challenges and delivering creative results. My goal is to bridge the gap between engineering and design, ensuring that every product meets both technical and user needs.

Roles

Design Engineering

Make material decisions, model, simulate, and draft with a focus on design, part function, and manufacturing knowledge.
Mechatronics Engineer

Design and optimize intelligent systems by integrating mechanical, electrical, and software technologies.
Mechanical Engineering

Use engineering fundamentals and CAE tools like FEA, CFD, and dynamic modeling to design, analyze, and optimize complex systems.
Manufacturing Engineering

Enhance efficiency, quality, and scalability by implementing lean principles, automation, and data-driven improvements.

Hobbies

Sports

I played competitive soccer through high school, serving as captain for both my club and varsity teams. These days, I enjoy playing sports recreationally, including golfing and snowboarding. I'm also a fan of watching sports, particularly of football, soccer, basketball, and baseball.
Home Projects

I enjoy tackling home projects that involve woodworking, electronics, and metalworking. My interests include small woodworking projects, repairing and maintaining tools and household items, and making custom modifications. I also enjoy working on my car, particularly learning more about automotive maintenance and repair.
Camping & Outdoors

I enjoy camping, hiking, and exploring the outdoors, often car camping in my 4Runner on public lands. Road trips and discovering new destinations are also hobbies of mine, with a goal to visit many national and state parks. Some of my favorite spots include Crater Lake and Smith Rock in Oregon, as well as Torrey Pines Beach in California.

Resume

Education

Oregon State University

Sep 2021 — Jun 2025

BS in Mechanical Engineering GPA: 3.89/4.00
Canyon Crest Academy

Aug 2016 — Jun 2020

Highschool Diploma GPA: 3.80/4.00

Experience

Mechanical Engineer

Sep 2025 - Present

Nike Beaverton, Oregon
- Drive digital manufacturing initiatives across CNC, additive, and rapid prototyping technologies.
- Develop automation tools and scalable workflows that improve engineering and manufacturing processes.
- Partner across disciplines to transform concepts into physical products.
- Create innovative prototypes, manufacturing solutions, and other cool things along the way.
Mechanical Prototype Engineer

Dec 2022 - Jun 2025

Prototype Development Lab Corvallis, Oregon
- Designed and fabricated a human-operated mechanical device for construction use.
- Developed an embedded system that increased data collection efficiency with 3 minute setup time reduction.
- Applied technical knowledge as a practicing mechanical engineer using tools like SOLIDWORKS and MATLAB.
- Provided multiple clients with innovative prototype products.
President

Feb 2023 - Feb 2025

OSU Sports Product Development Club Corvallis, Oregon
- Led a student organization of over 100 registered members, fostering connections between engineering students and the sports industry.
- Increased weekly meeting attendance by over 100%, growing from 15 members to 30-40 through strategic outreach and engaging programming.
- Organized and coordinated over 20 industry tours, connecting members with leading companies and professionals in the sports and outdoor product sector.
- Expanded industry engagement by organizing guest speaker events and product development projects.
- Guided club strategy and growth, aligning with the founders’ vision while introducing new initiatives to enhance member experience.
- Collaborated with industry professionals to create networking and mentorship opportunities for students.
- Managed and supported a 9-person leadership team, ensuring smooth operations and effective event planning.
Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering Intern

Jun 2024 - Sep 2024

RJ Machine | Precision Machining San Diego, California
- Set up and programmed a Universal Robot CB3 arm for CNC machine tending, decreasing downtime by over 50%.
- Led setup of ERP system for a family-owned CNC machine shop, including hardware and software installation.
- Designed custom milling fixtures, retrofitted fluorescent lights to LEDs, and built custom RS-232 cable and connector.
- Documented work with CB3 and ERP-related tasks in detailed work instructions.
CNC Operator

Jun 2023 - Sep 2023

RJ Machine | Precision Machining San Diego, California
- Set up and operated 2 to 6-axis CNC lathe machines to produce precision parts from a large range of materials.
- Calculated and set controls to regulate machining factors such as speed, feed, coolant flow, and depth.
- Inspected parts and features using OD mics, groove mics, bore mics, thread mics, optical comparators, Mueller gauges, pin gauges, thread gauges, calipers, etc.
- Verified conformance of finished work pieces by obtaining first article inspections from qualified individuals.

Skills

CAD & Design Software

Siemens NX

Intermediate experience in surface modeling, CAM, CMM, drafting, and motion.
SOLIDWORKS

Experienced in part design, assemblies, animations, and FEA.
Onshape

Intermediate experience with collaborative design, assemblies, and part design.
Fusion 360

Proficient in parametric modeling, custom Python scripting, and part design.
Rhino 3D

Beginner familiarity with surface modeling and workflows.
Grasshopper

Beginner familiarity with libraries, workflows, and lattice design exploration.

Programming & Computational Tools

Python

Proficient in custom scripts, thermal/motion simulations, and control systems.
MATLAB

Intermediate experience with Simulink simulations and programming.
Arduino IDE

Proficient in integrating sensors, motors, data filtering, collection, and analysis.

Engineering Analysis & Simulation

Ansys

Intermediate experience with static structural simulations, beginner with explicit dynamics.
nTop

Intermediate experience with custom lattice structures and field/point-driven design.
GD&T

Proficient in drafting, fixture design, tolerance zones, and manufacturing applications.

Electronics, Sensors & Actuators

Sensor Integration

Intermediate experience with thermal, distance, motion, and light sensors.
Actuator Control

Intermediate experience with common motor types and solenoids.
Arduino Boards

Proficient in using Uno R3, Nano, shields, and Bluetooth modules.
PCB Design

Beginner experience designing basic high-fidelity prototype boards.

Fabrication, Manufacturing & Workshop Techniques

CNC Operation

Proficient in setting up and operating lathes, Beginner with mills and CAM.
FDM Printing

Proficient in part design, materials, parameter tuning, and maintenance.
SLA Printing

Beginner experience with part design, parameter tuning, and maintenance.
Composite Layups

Intermediate experience with vacuum bagging, open molding, and pre-pregs.
Woodshop

Proficient in operating table saws, planers, sanders, and performing glue-ups.
Machine Sewing

Beginner with industrial machines, stitch patterns, and seam allowances.

Projects

Dam Slam – Airless Roundnet Ball

Senior Capstone

Sep 2024 – Mar 2025

[Team of 5] Led developemnt and validation testing of an airless roundnet ball using engineering specifications aligned with custom test rigs for bounce, deflection, and durability.
- Designed TPU lattice structures in nTop and manufactured prototypes with FDM/SLA printing and urethane coating.
- Conducted pendulum impact tests, dynamic bounce testing, and playtesting to assess real-world durability.
- Used deformation fixtures and analysis to confirm compliance with desired engineering specifications.
- Correlated test data with material properties and adjusted designs to meet assigned tolerances.
Fixture Design

RJ Machine | Precision Machining

Jul 2024

[Individual] Designed a custom fixture to secure titanium marine components for precision milling, improving machining efficiency and part quality.
- Engineered a 3-part fixture to evenly distribute vise pressure and reduce cycle time per part.
- Designed to be machined from easily sourced 6061-T6 aluminum and sized to common dimensions.
- Integrated poka-yoke locating features aligned to functional features to ensure dimensional accuracy and error reduction.
ERP System Installation

RJ Machine | Precision Machining

Jul 2024

[Individual] Led the deployment of ProShop ERP workstations at 17 CNC machines and 2 shipping stations, enhancing production visibility and operator efficiency.
- Installed and configured industrial workstations including monitors, mounts, keyboards, mice, and cable management hardware.
- Reformatted PCs with a clean Windows installation to ensure performance and reliability.
- Installed and configured ProShop ERP for real-time job tracking, inventory access, and document control at point-of-use.
- Trained operators on key ERP features to maximize adoption and reduce onboarding friction.
CB3 Machine Tending

RJ Machine | Precision Machining

Aug 2024

[Individual] Programmed a CB3 collaborative robot arm to automate loading and unloading of a 2-axis CNC lathe, increasing daily machining uptime by over 50%. Project included mechanical integration, jaw design, custom GCODE, and pneumatic control systems.
- Designed and 3D printed custom PETG jaws optimized for both blank and finished part geometries using the Bambu Lab P1P.
- Built a parametric jaw model to enable quick design iterations and custom-fit adjustments.
- Integrated a spring-loaded mechanism for uniform pressure distribution and part seating during loading.
- Wrote custom GCODE scripts for precise synchronization between the cobot and CNC lathe.
- Automated the chuck and enclosure door using cobot-triggered pneumatic connections or pistons.
Animatronic Fish

Course Project

Apr 2024 – Jun 2024

[Team of 5] Developed a human-powered scotch yoke actuation mechanism for an interactive public animatronic display.
- Led the mechanical design of a scotch yoke mechanism and support frame structure.
- Modeled the system with motion constraints in CAD; constructed frame using T-slot aluminum extrusion.
- Integrated bearing housings to support shaft rotation with minimal friction.
- Built and tested mechanism to demonstrate full human-powered motion for interactive use.
Barbell Sleeve Redesign

Sports Product Development Club

Feb 2024 – Apr 2024

[Team of 3] Led redesign to eliminate the need for barbell collars by integrating an internal locking mechanism.
- Modeled and simulated locking design using Onshape and Python-based stress simulations.
- Evaluated axial and radial locking behavior under torsional barbell rotation.
- Reverse-engineered current market barbell sleeves for understanding and dimensional accuracy.
- Implemented engineering design principles to evaluate customer requirements, engineering specifications, concept generation, and concept selection.
Pot Cleaner

Course Project

Sep 2023 – Dec 2023

[Team of 4] Designed a heavy-duty automated pot cleaning system using structured engineering methods and CAD prototyping tools.
- Co-developed system concepts using HOQ, Morph Matrix, and FMEA methodologies.
- CAD-modeled fluid tanks, piping, and pump integration using Onshape.
- Manufactured a functional prototype clamp using FDM printing for hands-on evaluation.
- Tested design constraints with fluid delivery integration and scrubber retention mechanics.
Spring-Loaded Golf Putter

Sports Product Development Club

Dec 2023

[Team of 3] Machined and assembled a spring-actuated putter concept for controlled putting distance.
- Modeled in NX to design spring guides and interfaces based on target stroke mechanics.
- Fabricated putter head and housing using manual milling, manual turnign, MIG welding, and light finishing techniques.
- Tested various spring stiffnesses to balance user feel with consistent energy output.
- Integrated and tested reset racheting mechanism for usability and cycle life.
Energy Longboard

Sports Product Development Club

Jan 2023 – Jun 2023

[Team of 6] Led the design and engineering of an electric longboard that generates and stores energy, integrating custom hardware and energy conversion systems.
- Developed and validated an AC-to-DC charging circuit to store generated energy from the drivetrain.
- Built a custom longboard deck using multi-layer baltic birch layup and manual shaping techniques.
- Designed a reverse drivetrain system in SOLIDWORKS to convert mechanical motion into electrical energy.
- Prototyped and iterated an air-cooled enclosure for electronics.
Marine Threaded Connector

RJ Machine | Precision Machining

Jun 2023

[Individual] Modeled, machined, and inspected a production-ready marine fitting from engineering drawings.
- Modeled internal and external threads in SOLIDWORKS for tight fit tolerance and corrosion-resistant seal.
- Machined precision components from billet stock using CNC lathes, ensuring minimal part distortion and surface finish requirements.
- Performed dimensional validation using OD/ID thread gauges, micrometers, optical comparators, calipers, and pin gauges.
Automatic Baseball Feeder

Sports Product Development Club

Sep 2021 – Jun 2022

[Team of 6] Collaborated with OSU Baseball to design an automated feeder for their BP3 pitching machine. Led the development of the electronics housing and contributed to the attachment mechanism for machine integration.
- Designed and iterated a protective housing for electronics, ensuring fit, ventilation, and accessibility.
- Integrated core components including an Arduino UNO R3, motor driver, power supply, control inputs, and internal wiring.
- Assisted the integration team in designing a secure attachment mechanism for seamless feeder-to-machine connection.
- Enabled socially distanced training with remote activation of a 10-ball feeder system.