Juan Rodelo-Castillo

Engineering × Initiative × Resilience

Mechanical engineer blending first-principles design, automation, and business-minded execution. I build robust systems, validate with analysis, and ship.

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About

Headshot

Education & Accomplishments

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
University of Colorado, Denver, CO
Graduation: 5/2019 — GPA 3.3/4.0

Patent:
US Patent No. 11913241 (Awarded 02/2024)
“Blade control system and flooring removal machines incorporating the same.”
Role: Contributed mechanical design.

Experience:
Over 5 years of professional mechanical engineering experience across spacecraft structural design, propulsion systems, and mechanical/fluids testing.

Skills

Mechanical Engineering

FEA: Fusion 360 & ANSYS
CAD: SolidWorks & NX
CAD: Fusion 360, Onshape
Design for Manufacturing
Bolted Joint Analysis
FDM 3D Printing
Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing

Fluids Engineering

Fluid Systems Design
Propulsion Test
Pressure Vessel Design
Leak Testing

Software & Programming

MATLAB
LABVIEW
Excel
Python
Node.js
Javascript
HTML
CSS
SQL
Bubble.io

Electrical Engineering

Cable & Harness Assembly
Control Panel Assembly
Wire Harness Fabrication & Testing
MIL-Spec Connectors & Crimping
Sensor Selection (Load Cells, Pressure)
Power Supply Sizing & Integration
Load Cell Amplification & Signal Conditioning
Electrical Continuity & HIPOT Testing

Experience

Engineering Experience

Orbit Fab — Fluids / Mechanical Engineer

Lafayette, CO · 10/2022 – 11/2023
  • Supported development and qualification of the RAFTI refueling valve.
  • Designed fixtures, procured hardware, and drafted drawings with GD&T.
  • Developed bolted joint analysis tool for release process.
  • Material compliance investigations using MAPTIS and SME abiding to SSCMAN 91-710 VOL3.
  • Investigated, sourced, and procured soft goods for RAFTI and documented mechanical requirements
  • Conducted helium leak testing and corrosion assessments on development units.
  • Researched Atomic Oxygen and Micrometeoroid effects on RAFTI.

Aphelion Aerospace — Fluids / Mechanical Engineer

Lakewood, CO · 05/2021 – 10/2022
  • Designed and executed rocket engine ground tests.
  • Designed and hydrostatically tested pressure vessels made of 304 stainless steel and collected data using Labview.
  • Selected and procured instrumentation (i.e. pressure transducers, power supply) for pressure vessel hydrostatic test and integrated with Labview.
  • Selected and procured instrumentation (i.e. load cells, amplifiers) for rocket engine grount test and integrated with thrust test fixture.
  • Drafted mechanical drawings for manufacturing of .
  • Modeled propulsion performance with 1D flow analysis.
  • Programmed LabVIEW DAQ systems for engine testing.
  • Performed structural analysis in Ansys Mechanical for thrust fixtures.

General Atomics — Mechanical Design Engineer

Centennial, CO · 02/2020 – 05/2021
  • Designed and integrated structural components for satellite subsystems (antennas, star trackers, separation rings).
  • Performed tip-off rate analysis and integrated separation/deorbit hardware.
  • Generated ASME Y14.5 compliant drawings in SolidWorks for a mass surrogate simulator.
  • Supported avionics packaging and harness fixture design with team in San Diego.
  • FDM administrator for 3D printing capabilities.
  • Designed backshell components for harness ground testing.

Ayala Engineering — Propulsion Systems Engineer (Contract)

Littleton, CO · 06/2019 – 02/2020
  • Developed 2D trajectory modeling code in Python for a spaceplane concept.
  • Integrated aerodynamic data (CFD) and propulsion models into mission simulations.
  • Prototyped hydraulic mechanism for floor stripper (precursor to later patent).

Project Collaborations

Taylor Tools — Mechanical Design Contractor

Commerce City, CO · 11/2023 – 10/2024
  • Awarded US Patent No. 11913241 (awarded 02/2024).
  • Designed a patentable blade actuation mechanism for floor stripping equipment.
  • Generated CAD components, assemblies, and production drawings.

Digital Propulsion — Founder / Full-Stack Developer

Commerce City, CO · 11/2023 – Present
  • Founded a custom software solutions company for small businesses.
  • Designed and deployed 5+ websites (HTML, CSS, JavaScript).
  • Built an inventory and sales SaaS system in Bubble.io for distribution operations.

Finest Quality Imports LLC — Software Administrator

Commerce City, CO · 2023 – Present
  • Analyze data to grow a boutique liquor import & distribution company focused on spirits from Mexico.
  • Integrate app features to support efficient sales and client relationship management with retailers and distributors.
  • Implement monitoring features for inventory and operations through proprietary SaaS software built in-house.
  • Maintain databases for regulatory compliance of imported liquor products and customer information (FDA, TTB, state approvals & licenses).

Technician & Other Roles

Cablenet — Cable & Wire Harness Assembly Technician I

Centennial, CO · 06/2024 – 01/2025
  • Assembled aerospace harnesses and electrical chassis (ULA, Blue Origin, VIAVI).
  • Performed HIPOT, resistance, and continuity tests with Cirris equipment.

Winn-Marion — Electrical Assembly Technician

Centennial, CO · 09/2018 – 05/2019
  • Built and wired control panels for industrial automation systems in the oil and gas industry.
  • Followed 5S standards and contributed to establishing a lean manufacturing environment for fabrication shop.

Quattro Machining - CAD Drafting Technician

Denver, CO · 06/2017 – 05/2019
  • Created CAD models/drawings abiding by GD&T standards.
  • Collaborated with machinists and customers to design manufacturable parts.
  • Drafted production drawings for custom Harley Davidson motorcycle components missing drawings.

CU Denver Measurement Systems Lab — Research Assistant / Grader

Denver, CO · 10/2017 – 05/2018
  • Trained undergraduates in electromechanical measurement systems.
  • Conducted DAQ experiments using LabVIEW, oscilloscopes, strain amplifiers.
  • Assisted in lab test setups and grading coursework.

Selected Projects

Space Engineering

Aphelion Rocket Engine Design & Testing

Designed and executed rocket engine ground tests, developed 1D flow models for propulsion, and integrated test hardware for validation of performance.

Rocket EnginesPropulsionTest
Aphelion rocket test 1 Aphelion rocket test 2 Aphelion rocket test 3

Exodus Spaceplane Python Simulation

Developed Python-based simulation of horizontal spaceplane takeoff trajectory, validating lift/drag models and engine thrust curves to support mission feasibility studies.

PythonSimulationAerodynamics
Exodus spaceplane simulation

Mechanical Design

Taylor Tools Patent: Blade Actuation Mechanism

Contributed to US Patent No. 11913241 for a novel blade control system enabling efficient flooring removal. Designed mechanism components and generated production CAD assemblies.

PatentMechanical DesignCAD
Taylor Tools mechanism image 1 Taylor Tools mechanism image 2

Software Solutions

Web Development for Local Businesses

Designed and deployed websites for small businesses, integrating branding, responsive UI, and backend data collection.

Web DevEntrepreneurshipClient Work

Sales/Inventory CRM System

Built a proprietary SaaS system for a distribution company (Finest Quality Imports LLC) to manage sales, inventory, and regulatory compliance for distilled spirits and imported goods.

CRMSaaSAutomation

Collegiate Projects

Rocket Lynx — Project Leader (IREC Hybrid Rocket)

CU Denver • 03/2018 – 05/2019

  • Founded and led a 7-member student team for IREC competition.
  • Designed an HTPB/N2O hybrid rocket engine and support systems.
  • Conducted hot-fire testing, analyzing thrust, chamber pressure, and tank pressure.
Rocket Lynx project logo

Hyper Lynx — Mechanisms Engineer (Hyperloop Pod Competition)

CU Denver • 04/2017 – 02/2018

  • Designed actuation mechanism for Hyperloop pod braking system.
  • Performed FEA stress and vibration analysis, CAD modeling.
  • Collaborated with EE students for controls and actuation integration.
Hyper Lynx braking system project

Certificates

Engineering Simulation Certificate

Engineering Simulation Certificate

LabVIEW Certificate

Learning LabVIEW Certificate

Activities & Hobbies

  • Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) — Corporate Liaison (2016–2019)
  • Students for the Exploration & Development of Space (SEDS) — Vice President (2017–2019)
  • Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) — Member (2016–2019)
  • Tripoli Rocket Association (TRA) — Certified Level 2 Member (2019–Now)
  • Reading self-help
  • Electronics (Raspberry Pi & Arduino)
  • Running, Swimming, Soccer
  • Fans of Lionel Messi & Kylian Mbappé
  • Software Programming
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Business & Entrepreneurship
  • Learning new things

Contact

Reach me at jrodelo2023@gmail.com