I design, prototype, test, and improve mechanical systems.
Kristin Der — Mechanical Engineering Student
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo · Class of 2028
My work spans medical-device R&D, Formula SAE, rover design, mechanical testing, prototyping, and design iteration — moving from open problem to validated hardware.
Engineering Experience
Developing standardized mechanical test methods, custom test fixtures, prototypes, and experimental workflows for a clinical-stage medical device.
Designed a suspension-driven linkage for a ratchet-and-pawl antenna deployment mechanism that uses rover suspension travel instead of a dedicated motor.
Led the redesign of the 2026 vehicle's brake-line system and reduced brake-system mass by 25% while satisfying safety, packaging, and reliability requirements.
Featured Engineering Projects
Deep technical breakdowns — problem, constraints, design, prototype, test, iterate, result.
Deploy a rover antenna reliably without adding a dedicated motor.
Motor eliminated from deployment system
Cut brake-system mass while meeting updated safety and packaging requirements.
25% mass reduction
Build repeatable tensile-test methods and fixtures for a clinical-stage device.
Standardized test methodMechanical engineer, still building.
I'm a Mechanical Engineering student at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, graduating May 2028. My work has crossed medical-device R&D, Formula SAE, and rover development — each one built around the same loop: problem, constraints, design, prototype, test, iterate.
More about meTechnical Skills & Tools
Interested in my work?
I'm looking for mechanical engineering internships and technical roles for 2027.