I've completed several engineering internships in the past, including systems engineering, maintenance, and research roles. I also have extensive experience leading projects to success, including as the electromechanical team lead for a project to build an autonomous vehicle for IGVC 2027, and the project lead for a team designing autonomous UAV energy infrastructure.
About Me
I'm a multidisciplinary engineer with a passion for developing autonomous robotics, leading projects, and working to solve complex engineering challenges. This website serves as a supplement to my resume, and contains information about my Education, Work Experience, and Projects. I am currently seeking a Summer 2026 or Fall 2026 internship in robotics, aerospace, or test engineering.
I'm very passionate when leading projects, including as the electromechanical team lead for Hyperlabs to develop an intelligent autonomous ground vehicle. I am also the team lead for my 9-student research group, where we are studying micro-optoelectronic devices for IR imaging for the Air Force. Finally, I am the project lead for RISE, an independent project seeking to develop extraterrestrial UAV infrastructure capable of autonomous battery-exchange for drones.
Education
I have been attending the Honors College at Virginia Commonwealth University since entering the college in August 2023. I'm pursuing two bachelor's degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Physics, with a concentration in Nuclear Engineering and a minor in Aerospace Engineering. I expect to graduate with both degrees in May 2027.
I currently have a 3.62 GPA on a 4.0 scale, and I have taken a variety of high-level engineering courses including Aircraft Flight/Design, Aerospace Materials, CAE Design, Thermal Systems Design, Fluid Mechanics, Heat Transfer, Project Management, and Probabilistic Risk Assessment. I plan to enter an industry position after graduation before later returning to my education and research.
Work Experience
I landed an internship at the Jefferson Lab National Accelerator Facility in High School, where I worked to develop predictive failure criteria for support infrastructure. I worked Phlow Corp as a Manufacturing Maintenance Intern over Summer 2025 to help maintain process and HVAC equipment through routine mechanical maintenance and by managing foundational infrastructure projects in cleanrooms and GMP-regulated facilities.
After coming to VCU, I obtained an internship at the Virginia Microelectronics Center, a nanoelectronics lab used for research and training. I'm responsible for maintaining an ISO-6 cleanroom while also working on my research under Dr. Nibir Dhar, where we're developing micro-optoelectronic devices for the Air Force. I am responsible for maintaining many of the fabrication machines as well as training postdoctorate researchers on their operation.
Projects
On top of the independent projects I have designed and prototyped myself, I've had the opportunity to lead several projects and teams working on autonomous UAV infrastructure, autonomous vehicles, microfabrication research, and several academic projects. This includes as the Electromechanical Team Lead for Hyperlabs, the Team Lead for my undergraduate research group, and the project lead for RISE.
I've taught myself a variety of skills including programming in Python, Java, C++, and JavaScript, as well as a wide suite of software including Linux, ROS, ANSYS, SolidWorks, MATLAB, and CAFTA. I use my projects as a means to engage with new disciplines and learn new skills along the way, and I have built a deep base of theoretical and technical knowledge through these experiences.
My Skills
Project Leadership
Leading microfabrication research, design and manufacture of UAV autonomous energy infrastructure, and electromechanical team lead for Hyperlabs autonomous vehicle.
Autonomy
Electromechanical team lead for Hyperlabs, designing an autonomous vehicle for IGVC 2027. Experience in Gazebo and ROS with a deep knowledge of Python and C++.
System Design
Highly experienced in SolidWorks, CAD, and mechanical design. Created models for autonomous vehicle chassis and robotic UAV base station capable of autonomous battery exchange.
CAE Analysis
Experienced using Solidworks Motion Studies, Excel, ANSYS Mechanical/ CFD, and python data analysis (NumPy, pandas, etc). MATLAB Fundamentals Certification.
Programming
Over 8 years of programming experience across websites, desktop applications, videogames, chrome extensions, and projects. Python, C++, Java, JavaScript, Visual Basic, SQL, ROS, Gazebo, MATLAB.
Sensors & Circuits
Hands-on experience with a variety of telemetry, transmission, and navigation sensors, wiring, soldering, and circuit design. Leading Mid-IR sensor device research for the A-STAR Lab.
Robotic Design
Designing a 4WD mecanum drivetrain to provide enhanced vehicle movement. Leading an autonomous infrastructure project implementing robotic battery exchange. ROS, Gazebo, Python, C++, SolidWorks.
Cleanrooms
Over two years of experience maintaining an ISO-6 cleanroom, managing infrastructure projects, providing equipment training, and troubleshooting electromechanical fabrication equipment.
Maintenance
Professional experience performing maintenance in cleanrooms, labs, and manufacturing environments. Adept in troubleshooting complex electromechanical systems.
Contact
Feel free to email me at contact@marcelle-jones.com for any business inquiries, or you can message me on LinkedIn. If you would like to text or speak over the phone, please email me first requesting the number for privacy reasons. Thanks!
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