"Driven by curiosity and a desire to innovate."

About Me

In my current role, I serve as a composite engineer for L3Harris where I perform composite layups and post-processing for space and antenna related projects.

In my previous role, I led the aerodynamic design and CFD analysis for a formula-styled race car on the Matador Motorsports Formula SAE team.  

Previous to this role, I have interned as a mechanical intern at WSP and Bureau of Engineering LA in the M.E.P. industry where I modeled structures for heat transfer studies and selected HVAC equipment based on required cooling loads.  

To continue reading about my recent work, scroll down!

Current -  L3HARRIS 

Airborne and Antenna Systems, Composite Manufacturing

Under minimal supervision, I have worked as the night shift operator performing prepreg layups and operating autoclave and other machinery to maximize production output. I have applied Lean Principles/e3 to assist the facility in streamlining manufacturing processes to meet project demands.

2022-2024 -  Formula SAE Matador Motorsports

Lead CFD Analyst, Aero Designer, Composites Manufacturing

Designed and simulated bodywork and aerodynamic packages to satisfy design criteria. Programs used include Optimum Lap, SOLIDWORKS, and Ansys Fluent. Design goals include improving vehicle dynamics, lap times and fuel efficiency by increasing aerodynamic efficiency and reducing mass of the system. 

Manufactured composite parts using carbon fiber including racing seat, fan shroud, intake plenum, airfoils, undertray, and miscellaneous accessories. Composite manufacturing processes includes wet-layup and  prepreg layup with autoclave curing. Final products achieved nominal surface finish, high strength and low weight as needed for the high performance race car.


Summer 2023 -  WSP USA

Mechanical Intern - Structure Modeling, Cooling & Heating Calcs.

Calculated cooling and heating loads  to size HVAC equipment to maintain required temperature and humidity conditions while optimizing energy usage. Used Bluebeam and Revit during schematic design phase to assign zones considering azimuth angles, square footage, occupancy, and function. 

Modeled project floor plans using Trace 700 and Trace 3D+ to input zone values for the Radiant Time Series and Energy+ heat transfer solvers. Output details from solvers are used to select air handling units and provide rough cost estimates of required systems before proceeding to design development phase.   


Summer 2021  Bureau of Engineering, Los Angeles

Mechanical Intern - Industry Research, Specifications Drafter

Conducted research on the Architectural Construction and Engineering (AEC) industry and design, bid, and build phases of a project. As an intern, I shadowed mechanical engineers and attended weekly meetings and various site walks to gain more exposure and coverage of the industry in the M.E.P. field.

Drafted construction specifications for several projects which recorded details of materials, methods, and standards per project supporting the bidding process and the firm's transition from 5-digit 1995 MasterFormat to 6-digit 2004 MasterFormat compliance. 

Contact me at juanortega.edu@gmail.com