Mechanical Engineering Student — Texas A&M University '28

Arsalan
Ali.

// Automation · Quality · DFM · PCB Design

I genuinely enjoy building circuits, designing PCBs, and figuring out how to make processes run better than they have any right to. Whether it's wiring up a board from scratch or hunting down the one step in a workflow that's slowing everything down — that's my kind of problem.

Process Automation Quality Engineering DFM PCB Design CAD Lean Manufacturing
View Projects ↓ Get in Touch
01

Actually About me

I'm Arsalan, born and raised in Houston, Texas. Pakistani-American and proud of it — I genuinely love my culture, the food, the people, the hospitality. All of it.

🗑️ The one thing I cannot defend about Pakistan? The cricket team. Tragic. Moving on.

In my free time I'm usually watching sports — basketball, football, tennis. Soccer too, but honestly only when the Euros or World Cup are on. Big Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving fan. Imagine if those two ever played on the same team. Actually insane to think about.

When I'm not watching sports I'm probably watching reels or doomscrolling. Classic. But I do actually play sports too — pickleball, basketball, tennis, badminton, ping pong. Love all of them, especially with friends.

Family and friends are a huge part of my life. As a South Asian, that's just built into the culture and honestly I love that it is. Good food, good people, good times.

🏀 Luka & Kyrie 🎾 Tennis 🏓 Pickleball 🏸 Badminton 👨‍👩‍👦 Family 📱 Doomscroller 🍽 Foodie
01b

About me (Professional)

Mechanical engineering student at Texas A&M University with a focus on making manufacturing smarter, more reliable, and more efficient. My work spans hardware and process — from designing PCBs to optimizing production workflows.

I care about design for manufacturability — building things that aren't just functional on paper, but practical and scalable on the floor. I approach quality not as a checklist, but as something engineered into the product from the start.

Whether it's automating a repetitive inspection step, laying out a PCB that's actually easy to assemble, or running a root cause analysis — I like solving the problems that sit at the edge of design and production.

SolidWorks / CAD KiCad / Altium Python / MATLAB GD&T FMEA / DFMEA Lean / Six Sigma Process Automation Quality Systems
4+
Years studying engineering
6+
Projects completed
PCB
Schematic to fab
DFM
Design for manufacturing
02

Experience

Daikin Daikin
PPSI PPSI
Autodesk Autodesk
NASA NASA
West Houston Institute West Houston Institute
Jan 2025
— Jun 2025
NASA College Aerospace Scholar
NASA — Remote
Past

Selected for NASA's competitive NCAS program, engaging with real aerospace mission design challenges and systems engineering curriculum alongside NASA engineers and scientists.

AerospaceSystems EngineeringNASA
↗
Sep 2024
— May 2025
Makerspace Instructor & Technician
West Houston Institute — Houston, TX
Past

Trained and certified users on fabrication equipment including 3D printers and laser cutters, maintained machines, and guided students through design-to-prototype workflows.

3D PrintingCNC MillingMetrology Calibration
↗
03

Projects

CAD / DFM / Systems
LSAMP ISS Mimic Truss Redesign

Collaborated with Boeing engineers and Cornell students to redesign the truss connection and solar array insertion mechanism on an ISS mimic structure. Conducted FMEA, applied SolidWorks modeling, and visited NASA's Neutral Buoyancy Lab.

SolidWorksFMEABoeingNASA NBLSystems Engineering
↗
Quality Engineering
DMAIC Simulated Project

Ran a full DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) cycle on a simulated production process. Identified root causes of defect variation, applied statistical analysis, and proposed control measures to sustain improvements.

DMAICSix SigmaSPCRoot Cause Analysis
↗
Software / Automation
BOM to SMT Python Automation

Built a Python CSV-to-CSV cross-checker that validates customer BOMs against SMT machine pick-and-place files before production runs begin. Flags part number mismatches, missing DNPs, and quantity discrepancies automatically.

PythonCSV ParsingSMTBOM Validation
↗
Automation / PLC
Conveyor Control — Ladder Logic

Programmed a simulated conveyor sorting system using Ladder Logic on a PLC platform. Implemented sensor interlocks, motor control rungs, and fault handling logic to manage part diversion at two downstream stations.

Ladder LogicPLCHMIIndustrial Automation
↗
Automation / PLC
Batch Process Controller — Structured Text

Developed a batch process control sequence using Structured Text (IEC 61131-3) to manage a simulated fill-and-seal operation. Implemented state machine logic, timer-based transitions, and alarm conditions.

Structured TextIEC 61131-3PLCState Machine
↗
04

@ Texas A&M

Degree
B.S. Mechanical Engineering
Texas A&M University  ·  Class of 2028
Focus: Manufacturing, Quality Systems & Electronics
Relevant Coursework
Manufacturing Processes Quality Control & Reliability Electronics for Engineers Machine Design Thermodynamics Materials Science Engineering Mechanics Dynamics Numerical Methods Circuits & Electronics Lab
Clubs & Organizations
LSAMP (Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation)
Research Scholar
IEEE Student Branch
Member
ASME Student Chapter
Member
Engineering Student Council
Member
Technical Skills
Software & CAD
SolidWorks KiCad Altium Designer AutoCAD Fusion 360
Programming
Python MATLAB C (Embedded) Ladder Logic Structured Text
Engineering Methods
GD&T FMEA / DFMEA DFM / DFA Lean / Six Sigma SPC 8D / 5 Why
Certifications & Programs
🚀
NASA College Aerospace Scholar (NCAS)
Competitive program · Systems engineering & mission design · 2025
🎓
Autodesk Student Ambassador
Campus representative · Fusion 360 & CAD outreach · 2025–Present
🏭
LSAMP Research Scholar
ISS truss redesign · Boeing & Cornell collaboration · NASA NBL visit · 2025
05

Contact

I'm actively looking for internships, co-ops, and project collaborations in automation, quality engineering, DFM, or PCB design. If you're building something and need someone who cares about the details — let's talk.

✉
arsalanaliworka@gmail.com
Email
in
linkedin.com/in/arsalan-ali1
LinkedIn