Sam Nguyen

I worked in a tight-knit team specializing in digital twin development, building an internal modeling infrastructure and knowledge base from scratch.

I 3D-modeled and performed point cloud analysis of substation equipment daily, ensuring centimeter-level accuracy between point cloud and 3D models. In parallel with the high-level assembly work, I accelerated internal development of a parts library. Iteration turnaround times were reduced roughly by 50%. Check out my resume for more details, or contact me directly; always happy to discuss engineering!

My takeaway from this is the importance of adaptability in a fast-paced environment. Before this, I had no experience with Inventor, but after a week of putting in the hours, it felt no different from SolidWorks. Opportunities to rapidly adapt and apply new skills are the reason I love engineering.

I'm a member of the suspension subsystem on Iowa State's Formula SAE Electric Vehicle team, where I design, model, and build components from concept through fabrication.

I own the bell crank assembly for the latest design cycle, revising design features to improve iteration efficiency. I also designed and manufactured a strain gauge calibration fixture, which produced significant data for our strain gauge R&D. To support production, I designed and 3D-printed jigs that precisely locate critical suspension geometries on all 4 corners of the vehicle. Along the way, I've gained experience in cross-functional teams and data analysis.

FSAE has allowed me to apply my coursework hands-on, turning concepts into parts that are built and tested. Fabricating my own projects has made me a better designer because I now think about the manufacturing perspective.

I'm the Sophomore Representative for Iowa State's SolidWorks Club, where I've been a member since August 2025 and was elected to the role after my first year.

I earned my SolidWorks CSWP certification with a 100% on the 3-hour assessment, after working through the club's weekly CAD assignments. I use that foundation to help other members through 1-on-1 feedback on core modeling skills and design best practices, sharing what I've learned firsthand. I also represent the club at our info booth, where strong communication helped us reach a record 163 new member sign-ups.

Mentoring has become one of my favorite parts of engineering. Explaining a concept to someone else shows me how well I understand it, and there's nothing better than watching a member go from stuck to confident. I like to think that every piece of advice or tip I give is a contribution to a future fellow engineer.

Write-up coming soon. Check out my resume for details.