I'm Neel

Engineering Leader | Product Development | Systems Integration

For as long as I can remember I have had a curiosity for how things worked, which often led me to taking things apart. This fascination has fostered a passion in making things, whether they be rockets, drones, furniture or teams of people. Currently, I lead the development of cutting-edge products at Safety Dave, where I am taking projects from concept to commercial production. During my time at the University of Melbourne Rocketry Team, I've driven the technical success of multiple projects, including leading the team to 2nd place at the Spaceport America Cup in 2024. My expertise spans both mechanical design and electrical design with a strong focus on integrating them together with robust systems engineering practices and hands-on leadership.

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Projects

SAFETY DAVE - Caravan Mover Mechanical Design image

SAFETY DAVE - Caravan Mover Mechanical Design

Mechanical Design Thermal Analysis CNC Machining Prototyping Testing Manufacturing

Mechanical design and development of the caravan mover product, including motor assembly design, thermal analysis, dyno testing, prototype development, and pilot production runs. Features CNC machined components and diecast chassis.
SAFETY DAVE - Caravan Mover Electronics image

SAFETY DAVE - Caravan Mover Electronics

Electronics Design STM32 Development PCB Design Embedded Systems Testing

Development of electronics systems for the caravan mover product, including front panel electronics assembly with logic board, STM32 development and testing, and system monitoring capabilities.
ARES - Hybrid Rocket Engine image

ARES - Hybrid Rocket Engine

Mechanical Design Systems Engineering Propulsion Systems CAD (Onshape) Manufacturing Testing

Currently leading the development of ARES Rocketry's first hybrid rocket engine (HRE). Before building our flight engine we are manufacturing a sub-scale engine that will produce roughly 500N of thrust for 10 seconds.
ARES - Data Acquisition System image

ARES - Data Acquisition System

Systems Engineering Data Acquisition Control Systems Electronics Embedded Systems PCB Design

The data acquisition and control system for the hybrid rocket engine test campaign. A custom ground support equipment (GSE) cart houses the control electronics and fluid system, running a real-time DAQ and control architecture that logs pressures, temperatures and thrust while sequencing the engine through fill, fire and purge.
ARES - Engine Thrust Structure image

ARES - Engine Thrust Structure

Mechanical Design Structural Analysis CAD (Onshape) Manufacturing Testing

The structure that mounts the sub-scale hybrid rocket engine to the test stand and reacts its thrust into load cells for measurement. Designed to support the engine, run tank and fluid system while transferring thrust cleanly for accurate data.
ARES - Project Florence - 2024 image

ARES - Project Florence - 2024

Project Leadership Rocket Design Composite Manufacturing Control Systems Airbrakes Design Competition

I served as the Team Lead of this project from July 2023 - June 2024. Project Florence was team's entry into the Spaceport America Cup 30,000 ft category. The goal was to take on the lessons from previous year to develop a robust rocket that would survive the harsh launch conditions and be recoverable. The team overdelivered, achieving a successful flight and recovery, and getting within 0.6% of our target apogee of 30,000ft, resulting in us coming runners up in the competition.
ARES - Novel Parachute Recovery image

ARES - Novel Parachute Recovery

Recovery Systems Design Parachute Engineering Systems Integration Testing

Developing novel methods of parachute recovery. Recovery systems are often the most neglected areas within amateur rocketry, and unsurprisingly are often the cause of many failed flights. We aimed to solve this in Project Florence. Under the guidance of an experienced skydiving parachute rigger we developed an extremely robust and performant recovery system.
ARES - Project Deimos - 2023 image

ARES - Project Deimos - 2023

Rocket Design Manufacturing Competition Systems Integration

Project Deimos was the team's entry for the 2023 competition season. This project involved comprehensive rocket design, manufacturing, and competition participation.
ARES - Project Phobos - 2022 image

ARES - Project Phobos - 2022

Payload Design Separation Systems Structural Analysis Team Collaboration

During Project Phobos I served multiple roles in the team. I was primarily tasked with leading the payload team which was investigating the g force loading on the c6 section of the human spine. I was also responsible for BP separation system which separates the rocket, allowing the parachutes to come out.

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