Kristin Der
Mechanical Engineering student at Cal Poly SLO, class of 2028. I'm drawn to the hands-on side of the discipline — where a concept becomes a fixture, a rover mechanism, or a vehicle system that has to work under real constraints. My work has crossed medical-device R&D, Formula SAE, and rover development, all built around the same loop: problem, constraints, design, prototype, test, iterate.
Areas of Focus
Education
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering — Expected May 2028
Beyond Engineering
Cal Poly NCAA Swimming and Diving Team
Division I Student-Athlete · September 2024 – June 2025
Competing at the Division I level alongside a full engineering course load has taught me discipline, teamwork, and time management under real constraints.
Additional Experience
- Support college leadership and advising teams serving 3,000+ students across seven departments.
- Maintain records, calendars, and confidential information.
- Support event logistics, setup, and equipment management for large-scale athletic events.
See the engineering work
Project case studies with problem framing, design decisions, and results.