PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING DOSSIER

Engineering solutions through design, analysis, and automation.

Mechanical engineer with hands-on experience across autonomous robotics, biomedical research, sustainable design, municipal engineering, and technical analysis.

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ENGINEERING PROFILE

About Me

I am a mechanical engineer who enjoys taking on technically difficult problems, working through them independently, and turning complex requirements into practical solutions.

My experience spans autonomous robotics, biomedical microdevices, sustainable design, municipal engineering, water-utility workflows, and motorsport engineering. Across these environments, I have worked with CAD, fabrication, technical analysis, experimental testing, GIS, and multidisciplinary teams. I am especially motivated by projects where mechanical engineering intersects with emerging technology and real-world impact.

Understand the system

Define requirements, constraints, interfaces, and the physical problem before choosing a solution.

Work from evidence

Use modeling, testing, data, and iteration to support engineering decisions.

Build for reality

Translate analysis into practical designs, processes, and systems that can be implemented and validated.

SELECTED WORK

Engineering Projects

Each project should show the engineering problem, constraints, your decisions, validation method, and final result.

Robotics development workstation with multiple displays and embedded hardware

PROJECT 01 AUTONOMOUS ROBOTICS

Multi-Agent Mobile Robots with Quantum Laser Communication

Lead undergraduate researcher directing a team developing high-precision autonomous robots and tracking infrastructure. Work includes a GNSS RTK reference station streaming RTCM corrections through NTRIP, a custom gimbal, and a photon-timestamping system.

Additional technical documentation, photographs, testing, and project details are available by request.

Material testing setup illuminated under ultraviolet light

PROJECT 02 BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING

Flow Diverter Research & Microdevice Fabrication

Contribute to research on a flow-diverter device for posterior-circulation aneurysms. Work includes SLA water-soluble molds for PDMS casting, FDM process improvements, in-vitro experiments, material testing, CAD, quantitative analysis, and technical reporting.

Additional technical documentation, photographs, testing, and project details are available by request.

PROJECT 03 THERMAL / AERODYNAMIC DESIGN

Highlander Racing Cooling-System Study

Conducted thermal and aerodynamic studies using simulation, testing, and analysis to identify radiator angle and packaging location that balanced heat rejection with aerodynamic efficiency.

Additional technical documentation, photographs, testing, and project details are available by request.

EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS

Engineering Foundation

Formal mechanical-engineering education supported by professional CAD and GIS credentials.

David Vidrio standing in front of the UC Riverside Bell Tower

B.S. Mechanical Engineering

University of California, Riverside
September 2021 — March 2026
Supplementary coursework: Mechatronics
Supplementary coursework: Thermodynamics

SOLIDWORKS CSWA

Dassault Systèmes
Certified September 2025
Professional SOLIDWORKS workflows
Mechanical CAD design fundamentals

Esri GIS Certifications

GIS Basics
ArcGIS Online Basics
ArcGIS Pro Basics
Completed February 2026

Continuing Development

Engineering conferences
Cross-disciplinary research
Hands-on fabrication
Technical leadership

SELECTED TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE

Experience

Knowledge becomes meaningful when it is tested against real-world challenges. Every experience gives me the opportunity to apply theory, strengthen my engineering judgment, and expand my ability to solve increasingly complex problems.

APR 2026 — PRESENT

Engineering - Intern

City of Menifee · Menifee, CA

Conduct daily engineering workflows by issuing permits and occupancy approvals, reviewing fees, preparing invoices and capitalization forms, routing submittals, creating exhibits, processing roadway acceptances, and standardizing City forms.
Perform front desk operations by receiving, reviewing, and distributing mylars, bonds, project application forms, and packets while managing the Engineering/Public Works inbox.
Complete field measurements and site inspections to verify ADA-compliant curb ramps and proper monument installation.
Attend weekly Engineering Department meetings to stay informed on active and upcoming City projects, department priorities, internal coordination, and engineering practices.
Utilize the City’s website and GIS database to process public records requests, create service tickets, and retrieve property information.
Assist staff, residents, and developers with engineering and project-related questions by phone, email, and at the public counter.

FEB 2026 — PRESENT

Mapping Technician – Student Worker

Eastern Municipal Water District · Perris, CA

Automate repetitive tasks to improve efficiency, accuracy, and overall workflow.
Map easement boundaries and enter associated data in the GIS database.
Review and inspect redline requests and make corresponding GIS database revisions.
Perform parcel adjustments, including APN, SO, and attribute data updates in the GIS database.
Create and update project spreadsheets and file completed contractor assignments to support workflow coordination.
Maintain engineering drawings and manage drawing distribution through the Vault for engineers and authorized personnel.
Support basic equipment maintenance and repairs and prepare printed diagrams and plans for engineers and authorized personnel.
Assist with website development and maintenance for district projects to improve recordkeeping and transparency between departments.

SEP 2025 — PRESENT

Lead Undergraduate Researcher

Multi-Agent Mobile Robots with Quantum (Laser) Communication · Riverside, CA

Direct and supervise a team developing tracking systems and high-precision autonomous robots with integrated quantum laser communication.
Lead the development of a GNSS RTK reference station streaming RTCM corrections via NTRIP for university-wide clubs and researchers, building the correction infrastructure to target centimeter-level robot tracking and enabling nanosecond-level time synchronization between autonomous robots.
Manage the design of a custom gimbal and a photon-timestamping system.
Manage the technical workflow and mentor fellow students as the team works through hardware integration and sensor synchronization.

JUN 2024 — PRESENT

Printer Manager / Lead Undergraduate Researcher

Biomedical Microdevices Laboratory (BML) · Riverside, CA

Contribute to the development of a Flow Diverter (F.D.) designed to treat posterior circulation aneurysms, specifically those occurring in the basilar artery.
Produce SLA-printed water-soluble molds for PDMS casting and improve/modify BML’s fabrication processes with FDM 3D printing.
After demonstrating expertise, advanced to Printer Manager responsibilities, training lab members, repairing equipment, and directing 3D printing workflows.
Conduct in-vitro experiments and material testing/modification designed to improve ultrasound imaging of the F.D.’s performance during in-vitro testing.
Lead projects with the lab’s lead PhD researcher involving CAD modeling, quantitative data analysis, and technical reporting on complex, previously unaddressed engineering challenges.
Communicate approved research findings with researchers and professionals in Sweden, Germany, China, and Korea, strengthening international research collaboration.
Observe and learn from select stages of flow-diverter nanofabrication, particle image velocimetry (PIV) studies, computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations, and cleanroom fabrication processes.

FEB 2023 — PRESENT

MD&M West

Anaheim, CA

Attend the full week of the MD&M West Conference each year to explore breakthrough technologies, identify innovative solutions, and connect with CEOs and engineers tackling critical challenges.
Build knowledge across MedTech, automation, design and manufacturing, plastics, and packaging, gaining new perspectives on medical-device development, production efficiency, and packaging solutions.

AUG 2017 — PRESENT

Home Projects

Menifee, CA

Design CAD models and fabricate 3D-printed parts for personal projects, including phone/tennis-net tripods and automotive trim components.
Restore/rebuild and modify vehicles, including a work truck and Honda Civic, as hands-on projects for developing practical mechanical and fabrication skills.
Designed and simulated an approximately 8 ft × 5 ft × 4 ft CNC router in CAD and built a working garage prototype using 3D-printed parts, reclaimed wood, an Arduino Uno with CNC shielding, stepper motors/drivers, and sprinkler wire.

AUG 2017 — PRESENT

Guest Speaking / Leading / Teaching

Menifee, CA

Serve as a mentor, resource, and source of encouragement by teaching classes, leading projects, and acting as a liaison for middle-school, high-school, and after-school recreational students.

AUG 2017 — PRESENT

Engineering Conferences & Courses

Professional Development

Attend engineering conferences and courses to strengthen technical knowledge, remain current with industry developments and emerging technologies, and continue expanding my engineering foundation.

DEC 2019 — APR 2026

Community Services Leader I (CSLI)

City of Menifee · Menifee, CA

Assisted in planning and developing city event parking layouts.
Coordinated and led summer camps, including engineering camps.
Coached and managed children’s team sports.
Assisted with citywide special events, traffic control, food drives, and private/public facility rentals.
Conducted front desk operations.

OCT 2025 — DEC 2025

Construction Administration Representative - Student Worker

Eastern Municipal Water District · Perris, CA

Processed preliminary notices.
Performed the initial screening and processing of RFIs and submittals.
Gained technical field exposure by shadowing engineers during site inspections, site visits, and pre-bid conferences.
Improved the field engineering department's efficiency by modernizing district documentation and its internal website.

AUG 2024 — MAR 2025

Mechanical Engineer

Marine Energy Collegiate Competition (MECC) · Riverside, CA

Developed innovative approaches to harnessing ocean energy.
Researched ocean flows, energy demand, and energy extraction technologies, and regularly presented insights to drive problem-solving with colleagues.
Redesigned the buoy system, applying CAD modeling and manufacturing strategies to improve efficiency, lower cost, and extend product life.

JAN 2024 — JAN 2025

Laboratory Operations Manager

Sustainable Developments · Riverside, CA

Managed laboratory operations for a large-scale project focused on affordable and energy-efficient housing, reduced environmental impacts and footprints, contemporary societal needs, and innovative engineering design for international competition.
Directed the assembly, maintenance, repair, and operation of advanced laboratory machinery.
Ensured timely fabrication of custom components and scaled architectural models to meet project specifications and support structural/design validation.

SEP 2024 — SEP 2024

City Engineer (Intern)

City of Menifee · Menifee, CA

Developed a cost-estimate spreadsheet to support and evaluate generated bond agreements for citywide infrastructure projects, including street and drainage improvements.
- Reviewed and integrated contractor bids to strengthen cost-prediction accuracy.
- Collaborated with engineers from neighboring cities to gather and compare estimates and validate internal estimating methods through data analysis.
Engaged in one-on-one engineering discussions that expanded my technical knowledge in traffic engineering, water engineering, and grading.
Attended engineering meetings and scheduled sessions that provided first-hand exposure to industry-standard practices, team dynamics, professional decision-making, and strategies for resolving complex engineering challenges.

OCT 2023 — JAN 2024

General Member

Highlander Space Program · Riverside, CA

Attended weekly engineering meetings to gain exposure to aerospace engineering decision-making and mission-driven development practices.
Built a stronger foundation in applied engineering by connecting theoretical fundamentals to design tradeoffs, analysis methods, and verification practices.
Participated in the research, design, build, and test of liquid rockets for engineering competitions.
Attended meetings and work sessions with industry professionals and organizations while contributing to complex engineering projects.

APR 2022 — APR 2023

Associate Engineer

Highlander Racing · Riverside, CA

Participated in Highlander Racing’s Formula SAE program, applying classroom knowledge to the research, design, simulation/testing, and manufacturing of formula-style race cars competing against universities from around the world.
Began as an intern supporting multiple sub-teams across diverse technical domains and was quickly appointed Associate Engineer on the Cooling System sub-team.
Conducted thermal and aerodynamic studies using simulation, testing, and analysis to identify the radiator angle and packaging location that best balanced heat rejection and aerodynamic efficiency.

AUG 2019 — JUN 2021

Club President

Paloma Valley High School - Engineering Club · Menifee, CA

Taught classmates how to design and construct engineering projects and operate equipment including 3D printers, mills, laser cutters, and sticker printers.
Assisted club members in creating award-winning rockets, boats, cars, planes, robots, and other competition projects.

JAN 2019 — JUN 2021

Student Body Representative

Perris Union High School District - Engineering Department · Menifee, CA

Helped grow the district engineering department by developing company connections willing to invest in the program and creating opportunities for additional competitions, engineering sub-teams, and school clubs.

TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES

Skills & Tools

David Vidrio wearing engineering field safety gear and a hard hat

Mechanical Design

SOLIDWORKS / CAD modeling
Mechanical design tradeoffs
Manufacturing strategy
Component & system packaging

Analysis & Testing

Thermal studies
Aerodynamic studies
Quantitative data analysis
Material & in-vitro testing

Fabrication & Research

SLA 3D printing
FDM 3D printing
PDMS casting workflows
Prototype / equipment support

Systems & Geospatial

GNSS RTK / NTRIP / RTCM
ArcGIS Pro & ArcGIS Online
GIS database workflows
Technical documentation

BEYOND THE ENGINEER

Who Am I

Engineering is a major part of my life, but it is not the only thing that defines me. I value helping others, staying active, and making time for the interests that keep me curious and grounded.

David hiking in a forested mountain landscape

David in a research laboratory wearing a UCR First Generation stole

Giving Back

I enjoy giving back to the communities that helped shape me. One way I do that is by returning to my high school to support students, share what I have learned, and encourage them as they consider their own paths.

Cars

Cars are one of the interests I enjoy outside of engineering work. I appreciate the combination of mechanical design, performance, problem-solving, and personality behind different vehicles.

Fitness

Exercise is an important part of my routine. I enjoy challenging myself physically, staying disciplined, and continually working toward improvement.

David Vidrio presenting in a lecture hall

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Software & Tools

Software, platforms, and development tools I use across engineering, GIS, programming, automation, and technical workflows.

CAD & Design

SOLIDWORKS

GIS & Mapping

ArcGIS Pro
ArcGIS Online

Programming & Automation

Python
TypeScript

Development Tools

Git
Node.js

Data & Productivity

Microsoft Excel
Google Sheets

CONTACT

Let's Discuss Engineering.

For professional opportunities, engineering collaboration, or project discussions, reach out by email or connect with me on LinkedIn.

Email DVidrio2003@gmail.com

LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/david-vidrio-7a920123b

Location Menifee, CA

Contact Me

Portfolio note: Detailed project material will be added only after it has been deliberately reviewed and sanitized for portfolio use.