California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Aerospace Engineer at Phase Four, Inc.

Hermosa Beach, California

Working on the small Phase Four team as an aerospace engineer is a rewarding experience. I play a major role in the design, assembly, and test of our plug-and-play RF electric propulsion system -- MAX-1. My responsibilities focus on the mechanical design of many of the major product subsystems; with an emphasis vacuum testing, high-pressure fluidics, closed-loop control systems, and environmental stress testing. I can also often be found working on many of the various R&D projects that are continually circulating throughout the Phase Four facility.

Phase Four

Aerospace Engineer

As a test engineer at Phase Four, I play a key role in the iterative process of designing and building our RF electric propulsion engine. I am responsible for developing in-house testing capabilities such as vibration and thermal vacuum, as well as coordinating and executing these tests. My role as a test engineer also focuses on the stress-testing selection of some of our off-the-shelf components.

Test Engineer

Aided in the testing and design of a new, single-engine, light sport aircraft kit. Additionally, led a project focused around the design, testing, and manufacturing of the A.T.L.A.S. -- a modular floating pod system, to be used with the DJI Phantom 3-4 drone series. Furthermore, side projects included carbon fiber fuselage mold preparation, 3-Axis CNC/ plasma cutter work, and SolidWorks modeling for complex, organic parts.

AyersCraft Engineering

Product Development Engineering Intern

CP CubeSat focuses on the design, testing, and manufacturing of the Mk IV P-Pod CubeSat deployment system; as implemented by NASA and other conglomerates. Work included: frequent CAD design, finite element analysis, vibe/ vacuum/thermal testing, and class 1,000 clean room procedures.

Cal Poly CubeSat Program

Design and Integration Engineer

Short for ‘Cal Poly Interdisciplinary Satellite Engineering Project’, the objective of the club is to fully assemble a decommissioned Boeing HS-376 satellite from start to finish. Already five years into the assembly stage, the eleven-foot tall solar array is nearly ready to be installed onto the lower shelf of the spacecraft.

CalPoly InterSEP

Technical Team Member

Engineered solutions for day-to-day problems regarding irrigation, solar, and wind technologies.  Assisted with standard farm duties (tractor work, moving/stacking hay, equipment maintenance, irrigation maintenance, crop preparation, etc.)

Austin Prater

Austin Prater