About
JESSE XU
I am a mechanical engineering student at Rice University driven by curiosity, persistence, and a desire to create opportunities where they do not yet exist. Growing up in Hawaiʻi, I learned that limited resources do not have to limit ambition. Whether rebuilding my high school's robotics program, advocating for greater access to advanced STEM courses, or developing my own engineering projects, I have always been drawn to challenges that require patience, creativity, and the willingness to keep pushing when the path forward is unclear.
- EDUCATION
- Rice University
- DEGREE
- B.S. Mechanical Engineering
- SPECIALIZATION
- Mechanics & Dynamics
- MINOR
- Engineering Design and Business
- PURSUING
- Engineering Leadership Certificate
CHRONOLOGY / BUILD HISTORY
Timeline
VEX Robotics Competition Robot
AUG 2021–MAY 2025
FIRST Robotics Competition Robot
JAN–APR 2024
Pneumatically Actuated Soft Grippers
APR 2024–AUG 2025
Capstan Drive
MAY–AUG 2025
Cycloidal Drive
SEP–DEC 2024
Rover Soil
AUG–DEC 2025
Permanent Magnet Bayonet Lock
MAY 2026
Propeller Research and Development
MAY–AUG 2026
Magnetic-Propulsion ROV
MAY–AUG 2026
Robot Arm
AUG 2026–CONTINUING
Selected work & experiments
A record of engineered systems, robots, and the decisions behind them.
01ME-001 / 2026
Magnetic-Propulsion ROV
Autodesk Inventor Pro · Bambu Lab · Elegoo Resin · Arduino IDE · Python · SimScale · Flow Visualization · Magnetic Coupling · Rapid Prototyping · Miniaturization · Design-Build-Test · Underwater Robotics
02ME-002 / 2026
Propeller Research and Development
Autodesk Inventor · Resin 3D Printing · Helical CAD Modeling · Magnetic Coupling · Embedded Magnet Design · Propeller Geometry · Rotor–Stator Development · Flow Visualization · Rapid Prototyping · Miniaturization · Design-Build-Test · Underwater Robotics
03ME-003 / 2024–2025
Pneumatically Actuated Soft Grippers
Autodesk Inventor · Pneumatic Actuation · Soft Robotics · Plastic-Film Actuators · Soldering-Iron Sealing · Medical Tubing · Syringe Pressurization · 3D Printing · Underwater Testing · Compliant Grasping · Bio-Inspired Design · Design-Build-Test
04ME-004 / 2023–2025
FIRST Robotics Competition Robot
Autodesk Inventor · FRC Robotics · Mechanical Design · CNC Machining · Milling · Drill Press · Fabrication · Mechanism Development · Assembly · System Integration · Competition Strategy · Rapid Iteration · Design for Manufacturing · Pit Service + Repair
05ME-005 / 2022–2025
VEX Robotics Competition Robot
VEX Robotics · Autodesk Inventor · C++ · PID Control · Autonomous Programming · Sensor Feedback · Mechanical Design · Robot Construction · Electronics Integration · System Integration · Competition Strategy · Rapid Prototyping · Design–Build–Program · Driver Control · Testing + Troubleshooting
06SD-001 / 2025
Capstan Drive
Autodesk Inventor Pro · 3D Printing · System Adaptation · Budgeting · Material Analysis · Off-the-Shelf Integration · Component Sourcing
07SD-002 / 2025
Cycloidal Drive
Autodesk Inventor Pro · 3D Printing · System Adaptation · Budgeting · Material Analysis · Off-the-Shelf Integration · Component Sourcing
08SD-003 / 2026
Permanent Magnet Bayonet Lock
Autodesk Inventor Pro · Precise Measurements · Friction Fit · Secure Locking Mechanism · 3D Printing · Magnet Characterization
09PT-001 / 2025
Rover Soil
Autodesk Inventor Pro · Ansys Transient Thermal · Client Requirements · Design Matrices · Rapid Prototyping · 3D Printing · Aluminum Fabrication · Silicone Gaskets · Latch Design · Tolerance Development · Durability Testing · Team Engineering · Client Communication · Design–Build–Test
10ME-006 / 2026
Robot Arm
Autodesk Inventor Pro · FDM 3D Printing · Bambu Lab · Arduino Nano · Servo Control · Cable-Pulley Mechanism · Rack-and-Pinion Gripper · Threaded Inserts · Potentiometer Control · Design for Manufacturing · Support-Free Printing · Embedded Systems
FUN FACTS / BEYOND THE BUILD
RESUME / 2026
Resume
EDUCATION
Rice University
B.S. Mechanical Engineering
Minor in Engineering Design & Business
EXPECTED MAY 2029
- —Engineering Leadership Certificate
- —Rice Trustee Scholarship Recipient
AWARDS
- —4× VEX Robotics National Champion
- —5× FIRST Robotics Regional Champion
- —FIRST Robotics World Championship Divisionals Runner-Up
- —Honolulu Science Fair — NASA Earth System Science Award
SKILLS
- TECHNICAL
- CAD · CNC Machining · Machine Operation · Robot Fabrication · Micro Robots · ROV
- LANGUAGES
- Java · Python · C++ · MATLAB
- INTERPERSONAL
- Event Organization · Technical Communication · Team Leadership · Public Speaking
- OTHER
- Bilingual — English and Mandarin
EXPERIENCE
LEAD UNDERGRADUATE SOFT-BODY ROBOTICS RESEARCHER
APR 2024 – AUG 2026
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Engineering — Honolulu, HI
- —Investigated biomimetic soft-robotics using fluid actuators for delicate marine conservation
- —Recreated octopus tentacles and flexible arms using stacked plates and string tensioning systems
- —Redefined uses of magnetic torque, created 5 wireless propulsion systems: pump jets and micro propellers
- —Created 30+ ROVs on the millimeter scale to discover the potential of miniaturized and nano robots
NASA SENIOR STRUCTURAL ENGINEER EXTERN
NOV 2025 – FEB 2026
NASA Johnson Space Center — Houston, TX
- —Reviewed structural and thermodynamic reports for spacecraft subsystem design
- —Shadowed aerospace engineers in NASA's structural discipline group over a multi-day externship
STUDENT DIRECTOR FOR RCEL
MAY 2026 – PRESENT
Rice Center for Engineering Leadership — Houston, TX
- —Team Chair for Outreach, overlooking all RCEL Outreach events and Interclub Relations
- —Organized events and competitions welcoming all 20 Technical Clubs and 2000 engineering students at Rice
- —Networked with real engineers in the field to invite them for showcases and recruitments on campus
TEAM CAPTAIN, FIRST ROBOTICS REGIONAL CHAMPION
FEB 2023 – MAY 2025
Saint Louis Robotics Team 4270 — Honolulu, HI
- —Mentored 40+ students through the full design–fabrication–programming cycle
- —Raised $15,000 in sponsorship funding to fund essential team operations
- —Hosted two international robotics regionals with 2,000+ students each
ROBOTICS EVENT ORGANIZER AND DIRECTOR
NOV 2024 – PRESENT
Robotics Education & Competition Foundation — Honolulu, HI
- —Organized the two largest robotics tournaments in Hawaii, hosting 400+ students statewide
- —Raised $10K+ per tournament to support robotics education initiatives across Hawaii
- —Coordinated logistics, judging, and competition flow for multi-day regional events
DATASHEET / REV. 03
Mechanics
and Dynamics
Driven by an enthusiasm for robotics and the belief that mechanisms should be understood, not just assembled. Work spans competition robotics at Rice, soft actuators and magnetic torque drives in research, and four national VEX titles as a team lead.
- FOCUS
- MECHANICS AND DYNAMICS
- EDUCATION
- RICE UNIVERSITY — MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
- RESEARCH
- UNIV. OF HAWAIʻI AT MĀNOA
- LOCATION
- HONOLULU, HAWAIʻI
- METHOD
- MODEL → PROTOTYPE → VALIDATE
- STATUS
- OPEN TO TECHNICAL ROLES