Stephen
Birch
Junior aerospace engineering student with a background in music performance, building CFD tools and mechatronic systems. Seeking a summer 2026 engineering internship.
I started my academic journey studying cello performance at Interlochen Arts Academy, one of the nation's premier arts boarding schools. As a musician, I learned that excellence requires relentless practice, collaboration, and thoughtful compromise — every ensemble member contributes to a greater whole.
That same mindset now drives my work in aerospace engineering at Rutgers University. Switching from music to engineering meant adapting to completely different ways of thinking, but it taught me how to quickly absorb new concepts, persist through complex challenges, and apply creative thinking to technical problems.
Today I'm building computational fluid dynamics tools from scratch, designing mechanical systems, and serving as treasurer for a campus organization — always learning, always building.
Building a custom CFD solver with SolidWorks integration. Translates SolidWorks CAD models into usable simulation data, applies Navier-Stokes equations with Finite Element Analysis for fluid simulation, and will feature 2D cross-section flow visualization across the full wingspan.
Designed a steel bear canister exploring multiple geometries and incorporating industry-standard hardware. Used PrePoMax with custom meshing parameters for accurate simulation under various loading conditions, optimizing for weight and structural integrity.
Engineered an Arduino-based mechatronic system using photoresistors for ambient light detection, a custom control panel for user-adjustable dispensing, an integrated LCD display, and a stepper motor with gearbox for precision torque-controlled food delivery.
- Mechanical Component Design
- CAD Modeling
- Dynamic System Modeling
- Mechatronic Design & Analysis
- Airfoil Design & Performance
- SolidWorks
- MATLAB Simulink
- PrePoMax / CalculiX
- Microsoft Visual Studio
- Arduino IDE
- MATLAB
- C
- Python
- LaTeX
Managing university-distributed funds for equipment, travel, and catering. Raised and financed $3,000 for a conference at MIT and negotiated funding for a trip to Carnegie Mellon. Organizing fundraising events and performance opportunities to grow the group's presence on campus.
Assisted customers with outdoor equipment, specializing in footwear fitting. Worked with RICS retail software for inventory management and product balancing across franchise locations. Gained knowledge of advanced material properties including PFOS waterproofing and Gore-Tex technologies.
Pursuing a Bachelor of Science with coursework spanning fluid dynamics, mechanical design, dynamic systems, and programming.
Studied cello performance at one of the nation's premier arts boarding schools, developing discipline, collaboration, and creative problem-solving skills that now inform an engineering mindset.
I'm actively seeking a summer 2026 engineering internship. Whether it's aerospace, mechanical, or UAS — I'd love to hear from you.