Bio

Aaron Santos is a fourth year mechanical engineering student graduating in the Spring of 2017. He grew up in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA and will be the first in his family to graduate from a 4-year university. Aaron has aspirations for a career in systems design or manufacturing in the aerospace-defense industry, and plans to later pursue an advanced degree in mechanical engineering.  

Throughout his four years at UC Santa Barbara, he has amassed a collection of both engineering and soft skills that will help him to achieve his future goals; these include engineering design, manufacturing, and testing, as well as technical communication and team work. He has taken elective coursework with an interest in manufacturing, with courses such as Advanced CAD, CAD/CAM, Additive Manufacturing, and Manufacturing Processes.  

Aaron has been involved in a variety of projects that have tested his engineering skills and intuition. He spent the summer of 2016 as a Systems Engineering Intern for Northrop Grumman, where he supported the James Webb Space Telescope program. As the Student Team Leader for his Capstone project, Aaron has organized technical communication between the team, the team advisor, and the team's industry sponsor; he has also involved himself with engineering analysis, mechanical design, and hardware fabrication. Aaron is also involved in an Independent Study Project, where a team of five analyze and test the feasibility of a tether-less, projectile airbag to protect pedestrians in the event of a pedestrian-locomotive collision.  

In his free time, he likes to follow the NBA, work on his 3D printer, and cook.