Mechanical Engineering Design

Thais di San Marzano Pereira Leite

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

San Diego, CA +1-858-***-**** ******@****.*** www.linkedin.com/in/thaismarzano I’m a mechanical engineering student with a passion for CAD modeling, prototyping, and system design. I enjoy turning ideas into reality—whether it’s optimizing mechanical components, testing materials, or refining manufacturing processes. With hands-on experience in 3D modeling, FEA, and DFM/DFA, I thrive on solving complex engineering challenges and developing efficient, high-performance solutions.

Education

University of California San Diego (UCSD) / Bachelor of Science September 2022 – June 2026 San Diego

● Mechanical Engineering with Specialization in Renewable Energy & Environmental Flows - GPA: 3.8/4.0

● Relevant Coursework: Mechanical Design, Solid & Fluid Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, Materials Science, FEA, Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Engineering Principles, Signals and Systems, MATLAB. Experiences

Mechanical Engineering Intern / Randoncorp - Instituto Hercílio Randon (IHR) June 2024 – August 2024 Caxias do Sul - Brazil

● Researched how to integrate LiDAR and Visual SLAM into autonomous vehicle systems to improve environmental mapping and reliability.

● Developed digital twin models in Siemens NX and PreScan, allowing engineers to simulate vehicle performance and detect potential failure points before real-world testing.

● Conducted structural failure analysis on key components, identifying weaknesses and proposing design improvements that increased durability and reduced costs.

● Assisted with hardware validation, documenting test results and helping the team refine their designs based on real-world performance data.

CAD Tutor / MAE 3: Intro to Mechanical Design - UCSD Design lab September 2024 – December 2024 San Diego

● Helped 80+ students master SolidWorks, Fusion 360, and 3D printing, leading workshops on CAD, manufacturing techniques and hand-sketching.

● Designed robotic mechanisms for hands-on demonstrations, using GD&T principles to improve precision.

● Created instructional materials that boosted student success by 20%. Co-founder & Product Design Engineer/ “Swap-A-Can”: Blackstone Launchpad Program - The Basement March 2023 – Present San Diego

● Designed a multi-cartridge aerosol storage system, balancing sustainability, manufacturability, and usability.

● Prototyped functional models with OnShape and Fusion 360, applying DFM/DFA to improve production efficiency.

● Built and tested multiple prototypes, gathering feedback to improve usability and durability.

● Filed a patent in Brazil and pitched the project at 7 entrepreneurial events, securing funding. Mechanical Engineering Team Member / Triton Solar Car October 2023 – March 2024 San Diego

● Designed and tested drivetrain components in SolidWorks, cutting weight by 26% while keeping them strong.

● Performed FEA simulations to study stress and failure points, then tweaked the designs to improve durability.

● Helped with thermal system integration, which made the car’s energy use 31% more efficient. XR Developer & 3D Modeler / MAVERiC Studios

September 2024 – Present San Diego

● Designed 3D environments in Fusion 360, Maya, and Unity for virtual professional networking spaces.

● Modeled interactive mechanical components, focusing on structural reliability and user experience.

● Tested and launched a VR platform,achieving a 93% user satisfaction rate. Skills

● Technical:

CAD & 3D Modeling: SolidWorks, OnShape, Fusion 360, Siemens NX, Maya, Blender

Simulation & Analysis: Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Heat Transfer, Materials Selection, PreScan

Prototyping & Manufacturing: 3D Printing, Laser Cutting, DFM/DFA, Hands-on Testing

Programming & Data Analysis: MATLAB, Python

● Interpersonal: Leadership, Cross-functional Collaboration, Problem-solving, Communication, Adaptable, Organized.

● Languages: Portuguese (Fluent - C2); English (Fluent - C2); German (Advanced - B2); Italian (A1); Spanish (A1).

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