Uma Jayawardane

Part of the propulsion team at Monash High Powered Rocketry, focused on designing, analyzing, and building high-powered rockets.

• Designed, built, and successfully launched an L1-certified rocket powered by a H195 motor, achieving a target altitude of 2700ft.
• Redesigned key components of a small-scale hybrid rocket engine, including the injector, ignitor, fuel grain, and nozzle, using simulations like RocketCEA and Rocket Propulsion Analysis to validate design concepts.
• Helped design and verify the structural integrity of engine components using CAD programs such as Creo and SolidWorks, with FEA conducted through ANSYS.
• Volunteered at local outreach events and high schools, mentoring students and fostering interest in aerospace and engineering fields.

Completed a 13-month internship at Cummins as part of the Off-Highway Engineering team.

• Gained hands-on experience in various engineering tools, software, and techniques to contribute effectively to multiple projects.
• Conducted failure analysis and root cause investigations for in-service diesel engine systems, utilizing tools like Excel for data analysis to support key customers, including Alstom.
• Utilized Creo and Inventor for CAD modelling, drafting, and detailed engineering drawings, supporting component design from concept generation to prototyping and supplier manufacturing.
• Assisted in Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) using Windchill, managing engineering changes, documentation, and validation of new and existing products.

Completed a 3-month summer internship at BAE Systems as part of the Algorithm Team.

• Converted Simulink model of control algorithm into MATLAB scripts, which were uploaded onto the flight computer of one of BAEs ongoing projects.
• Developed and implemented test harnesses to validate MATLAB-generated outputs against the original Simulink models, ensuring functional accuracy and model integrity of Matlab scripts.
• Conducted debugging and verification processes to identify discrepancies between MATLAB and Simulink implementations

The Warman Challenge is a design and build competition where students are tasked with creating an automated robot to complete a designated course. Our team’s final design achieved 6th place out of 72 competitors at Monash.

• Utilized SolidWorks to develop a detailed 3D CAD model of the proposed robot design.
• Conducted Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to verify the structural integrity of key components.
• Integrated Arduino systems to enable full autonomy of the robot.
• Final design featured a rack-and-pinion mechanism for a servo-driven claw to pick up the payload, and a pulley system powered by a recycled toy car motor for wire traversal.