Mechanical Engineering @ Cal Poly SLO

Vaibhav
Jayakumar

I design, build, and test mechanical and electromechanical systems—from competition robots to real-world hardware.

Resume (PDF)
vjayakum@calpoly.edu LinkedIn ↗
Vaibhav machining on a Stepcraft CNC
Vaibhav soldering and wiring a robot
Vaibhav's air hockey table in use
Vaibhav assembling a project by hand
Experience

Built under real deadlines.

Download resume (PDF)
Education
California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo
B.S., Mechanical Engineering
Graduation 2029
Relevant Coursework
Intro to ME Materials Joining (Welding) Linear Analysis Engineering Design Subtractive Manufacturing Principles of Engineering Statics Materials Sciences
Skills

Mechanical Design & CAD

SolidWorks, Fusion 360, Inventor, Onshape, Geomagic, Design for Manufacturing (DFM)

Manufacturing & Prototyping

CNC machining, FDM/SLA/SLS 3D printing, prototype assembly, PCB rework, soldering, wire harnessing

Testing & Engineering Tools

Instron testing, CT scanning, dimensional inspection, mechanical testing, troubleshooting, technical documentation

Programming & Technical Tools

Python, MATLAB, Java, Excel, data analysis

Where I've worked
JUN 2026 —
AUG 2026

R&D Engineering Intern

Align Technology · San Jose, CA
  • Supported Design Verification (DV) testing for the Invisalign Palatal Expander (IPE), a Class II orthodontic medical device used to expand a patient's upper palate.
  • Reduced user-to-user variability in DV testing by designing and prototyping a new fixture system in SolidWorks through 9+ design iterations.
  • Conducted 34+ insertion and removal tests to characterize forces applied during insertion and removal of the IPE.
  • Developed a Python tool using pandas and NumPy to clean force-time data, detect insertion/removal events, filter outliers, and automate Excel reporting.
  • Developed and tested three Class I medical device IPE accessory concepts, achieving a 42:1 mechanical advantage and submitting an Invention Disclosure Form (IDF).
JUN 2024 —
JUL 2025

Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering Intern

Cheffy · Fremont, CA
  • Manufactured precision components for 20+ egg-cooking robots on CNC mills, SLA printers, drill presses, and table saws.
  • Rapid-prototyped and tested electrical components, soldering and re-soldering PCBs to optimize functionality.
  • Built a custom dynamometer to test stepper-motor torque and validate performance data.
  • Refined blade angles, arm movements, and hot-plate assemblies through iterative machining for efficiency.
AUG 2020 —
JAN 2024

Team Captain & Mechanical Lead

First Tech Challenge (FTC) Robotics · Fremont, CA
  • Team Captain, Techarinos 18767 (2020–21) — led mechanical design of a 3D-printed claw, taught 120+ kids Scratch and basic programming.
  • Team Captain & Mechanical Lead, Blizzard Robotics 18373 (2023) — led a team of 8 through the FTC CenterStage season.
  • Designed and manufactured custom drivetrains, lift systems, intakes, and odometry systems across four robot generations.
  • Ranked 18th nationally by the FUN Robotics Network (2022); earned Motivate and Inspire awards at regionals.
MAR 2023 —
JUL 2025

Entrepreneur in Residence & School Representative

PilotCity Inc. · Fremont, CA
  • Designed a 3D-printed, reusable, flywheel-powered engineering kit teaching Newton's Laws, friction, and gear trains.
  • Manufactured 25+ kits and distributed them internationally to schools and libraries.
  • Secured 23 school and teacher partnerships for program enrollment; mentored 9 interns.
MAY 2024 —
JUL 2025

Lead STEM Instructor

TinkerOn Labs · Fremont, CA
  • Co-developed curriculum and taught STEM concepts to 60+ elementary students through hands-on classes.
  • Led hands-on demos for 200+ kids at Fremont Science Night, supervising safety throughout.
Beyond Engineering
Intern & Volunteer — Coach, Fundraiser, African Library Project 2017–2025

Set up 17 book drives across Africa donating 15,000+ books, raised $7,500 and coached 15 student volunteers who donated 3,000 more, built an online forum for Drive Organizers with Hack4Impact, and delivered a keynote to 200+ attendees at the 2023 Annual Conference.

Summer Intern & Volunteer, Tamil Nadu Foundation Jun–Jul 2023

Taught grades 6–12 at Arumbakkam Higher Secondary School in Chennai and raised $30,000 for the TNF Bay Area Chapter as event auctioneer.

Student Fundraiser & Volunteer, A R Rahman Foundation 2022–Present

Volunteered with the Sunshine Orchestra in Chennai, donated instruments and raised $500 for their first tour, and organized and emceed the Summer Benefit Concert.

Bass Trombonist, Violinist, Varsity Section Leader, Irvington High School 2019–Present

Led sections to sweepstakes wins every 2022 band review and a NorCal record of 97.05 in 2023, and co-wrote a published research paper on toxicity inside low brass instruments.

Honors & Awards
2024
Gold Presidential Volunteer Service Award — 250+ hours, African Library Project
2023
Irvington HS PLTW Principles of Engineering Award of Excellence
2023
Runner-up, Instructables Contest — featured on homepage for the robotic air hockey table
2023
FTC NorCal Regionals Motivate, South Bay League Motivate, Third Inspire
2021
FTC Design Award & Innovate Award
Builds

Builds

Selected mechanical systems, robots, and products I've designed, manufactured, and tested.

Featured Projects
Other Projects
About
Vaibhav Jayakumar

Hi, I'm Vaibhav.

I'm a Mechanical Engineering student at Cal Poly SLO interested in robotics, manufacturing, and mechanical design.

I like working close to the hardware: designing parts, building prototypes, testing them, and figuring out why something didn't work the first time. A lot of what I've learned has come from competition robotics, hands-on manufacturing, and personal projects.

Outside engineering, I enjoy dancing, playing guitar, cooking, teaching STEM, and volunteering in my community.

vjayakum@calpoly.edu · LinkedIn ↗ · Resume