Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin - Advanced Technology Laboratories (ATL) - Rotary and Mission Systems (RMS)
Mechanical Engineering Research CO-OP | July 2025 – Dec 2025

NOTE: Due to the work I did at Lockheed being proprietary, I cannot get too specific or show photos of my work

Overview

During my Lockheed Martin co-op, I contributed to the conceptual design of a vertical drone launcher for autonomous quadcopters. The objective was to enable the rapid deployment of multiple drones while meeting mechanical, manufacturing, and integration requirements. Due to the proprietary nature of the project, I cannot share images or technical specifications. Instead, this section focuses on the engineering process and my individual contributions. 

Working under a constrained schedule and limited engineering budget, I was responsible for developing one of several competing mechanical concepts. My design progressed from initial concept generation through detailed CAD modeling, mechanism development, hardware selection, and design documentation. Following the completion of my internship, the concept I developed was selected as for continued development, ultimately leading to a refined prototype that underwent flight testing.

My Contributions

• Developed a mechanical concept for a vertical launcher designed to deploy quadcopers.

• Designed an assembly in Creo Parametric, integrating custom components with commercially available hardware.

• Performed assembly and motion studies in Creo to verify mechanism functionality.

• Selected candidate hardware and materials based on performance and integration requirements.

• Authored engineering documentation detailing design rationale, component selection, and proposed implementation.

• Concept selected for continued development and prototype flight testing following completion of the internship.

Overview

Redesigned an externally mounted payload enclosure for a small unmanned aircraft. The objective was to improve the mechanical packaging, integration, and manufacturability of an existing design while inproving compatibility with existing hardware and airframe. Due to the proprietary nature of the project, I cannot share images or technical specifications. This section focuses on the engineering process and my individual contributions.

I was responsible for evaluating the existing assembly, understanding the mechanical and integration constraints, and developing a redesigned enclosure and assembly in Creo Parametric. The project progressed from concept refinement through detailed CAD modeling, prototype manufacturing, assembly, and electronics integration, resulting in a fully assembled prototype for testing.

My Contributions

• Evaluated the existing payload assembly to identify opportunities for improved packaging, integration, and manufacturability.

• Redesigned the payload enclosure and custom mounting features in Creo Parametric while maintaining compatibility with existing hardware.

• Incorporated mechanical, thermal, and electrical integration considerations into the enclosure design.

• Selected and integrated commercially available hardware and fastening methods.

• Manufactured prototype components using additive manufacturing.

• Performed final mechanical assembly, electronics installation, cable management, and soldering of internal components.

• Collaborated with engineers throughout design reviews and iterative refinement.

Overview

I led the mechanical integration of a commercial off the shelf (COTS) fixed wing UAV into an internal research platform. The objective was to replace an existing large scale flight test aircraft with a smaller, more agile platform capable of supporting rapid flight testing and UAV network validation. By leveraging a commercially available airframe, the team was able to significantly reduce development time while maintaining the flexibility required for continued system development.

I was responsible for redesigning the aircraft's internal payload bay to accommodate new avionics, mission electronics, and autonomous flight hardware while maintaining compatibility with the existing airframe. The project progressed from evaluating the stock configuration through CAD design, custom hardware development, mechanical integration, and system assembly. Working closely with electrical engineers, I helped ensure the avionics, GPS, compass, autopilot, and mission electronics were integrated into a compact, serviceable, and maintainable internal layout.

My Contribution

• Led the mechanical integration of a commercial off the shelf (COTS) fixed wing UAV into an internal research platform.

• Evaluated the factory payload bay and removed existing hardware to accommodate custom avionics and mission electronics.

• Designed custom mounting fixtures and internal hardware in Creo Parametric to securely integrate payload components within the existing airframe.

• Developed mechanical layouts that improved packaging, accessibility, and maintainability while working within the aircraft's geometric constraints.

• Collaborated with electrical engineers to coordinate wire routing, connector placement, and integration of the avionics, GPS, compass, autopilot, and mission electronics.

• Performed mechanical assembly, hardware installation, and complete system integration of the aircraft.

• Supported iterative integration and flight test preparation to refine component placement and improve overall system functionality.

Overview

I supported the mechanical integration and design review of custom printed wiring boards (PWBs) for research application. The objective was to ensure electrical designs could be successfully integrated into the mechanical assembly while satisfying packaging, manufacturability, and hardware requirements.

I was responsible for importing electrical board layouts into Creo Parametric, populating the board with electronic components, evaluating mechanical fit and connector accessibility, and providing design feedback to the electrical engineering team. The unique thing about this board was its size was over a foot long and almost a foot wide.The project required close collaboration between mechanical and electrical engineers throughout multiple design iterations. 

Following my involvement on the project, I developed and delivered a training presentation documenting the workflow and best practices for future mechanical engineers joining the team.

My Contribution

• Supported the mechanical integration and design review of custom printed wiring boards (PWBs) in collaboration with electrical engineers.

• Imported electrical board layouts into Creo Parametric and populated assemblies with electronic components and hardware.

• Evaluated component placement, connector accessibility, mechanical clearances, and mounting hardware to ensure successful integration within the mechanical assembly.

• Identified mechanical design constraints and communicated design recommendations to the electrical engineering team throughout iterative design reviews.

• Verified compatibility of connectors, standoffs, fasteners, and surrounding hardware within the overall assembly.

• Collaborated with cross functional mechanical and electrical engineering teams to improve board layouts and streamline the integration process.

• Developed and delivered a training presentation documenting the PWB mechanical integration workflow, design considerations, and best practices for onboarding future engineers.