Hello! 👋

I'm Matthew Hutchinson

Mechanical Engineering Graduate Student

View My Resume
Matthew Hutchinson headshot

About Me

I'm a mechanical engineer and digital fabricator passionate about robotics, additive manufacturing, and emerging technologies. I enjoy combining creative design with engineering to solve complex real-world problems. Currently pursuing my M.S. in Mechanical Engineering at UCLA (Design, Robotics & Manufacturing).

Python MATLAB SolidWorks GD&T Data Science Additive Manufacturing Laser Beam Manufacturing Control Systems Git Arduino

Projects

01

Autonomous Rover for Disk Transport

Designed and built a autonomous rover to transport disks across ramps and platforms using camera-based path detection, PID control, and mechanical arm mechanisms.

PythonSolidWorksControl SystemsArduino
02

Robotic Arm for Fiber Placement

Developed an impedance controller in PyDrake for automated composite fiber placement, focusing on accurate force control and dynamic interaction with mold surfaces.

PythonControl SystemsSimulationRobotics
03

Metal Additive Manufacturing Research

Explored multidirectional wire arc and laser wire additive manufacturing strategies, including robotic deposition, thermal gradient control, and digital twin simulation concepts.

ManufacturingDesignThermal Analysis
04

Motorcycle Maintenance & Modding

Hands-on work on my Suzuki SV650: performed valve inspections, coolant flush, exhaust upgrade, oil changes.

Mechanical SystemsDiagnosticsTools
05

Laser-Cut Japanese Lantern

Designed and fabricated a multi-material lantern featuring wood joinery, acrylic panels, and engraving, blending precision design with physical craft.

Laser CuttingDesign for FabricationArt & Engineering

Experience

Fabrication Lab Technician

UCLA Engineering Makerspace

Sep 2023 – Jun 2024
  • Assisted students in laser cutting, 3D printing, and digital fabrication tools
  • Supported rapid prototyping for research and class projects
  • Maintained and troubleshot fabrication equipment

AAM Research Intern

NASA Langley Research Center

Feb 2022
  • Led a 10-person team in developing short-term lunar habitat mission pathways
  • Used optimization models in Excel Solver to evaluate scientific return vs cost
  • Co-led final review with NASA engineers and placed 1st out of 16 teams

Robotics Developer

UCLA DevX / MAE Capstone

Jan 2024 – Jun 2024
  • Built autonomous rover with mechanical arm & vision tracking for disk transport
  • Implemented OpenCV and PID motor control on Raspberry Pi/Arduino stack
  • Designed chassis using laser cutting and 3D printing

Education

M.S. Mechanical Engineering

University of California, Los Angeles

2025 – 2026
  • Specialization in Design, Robotics & Manufacturing
  • Graduate coursework in soft robotics, bionic systems, data science, compliant mechanisms, artificial intelligence
  • Focus: Robotics, Autonomous Systems, Fabrication

B.S. Mechanical Engineering

University of California, Los Angeles

2022 – 2024
  • Graduated with 3.54 GPA
  • Graduate-level coursework in robotics (Kinematics, Dynamics, & Control), Rapid Prototyping, data structures & algorithms
  • Designed, simulated, & built multiple robotic and mechanical systems