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Kenneth Chun-An
Su

(U.S. Citizen)

Phone:
Email:

(626)774-4399
kennethsu1999@gmail.com

Hands-on Mechanical Engineer with experience spanning the full product development lifecycle, from first-principles design and FEA/CFD analysis to rapid prototyping and hardware-in-the-loop testing. Currently supporting the large-scale installation of high-purity fluid and piping systems for advanced semiconductor fabrication (TSMC Fab), ensuring rigorous technical compliance and system integration in high-stakes environments. Proven ability to bridge technical gaps between international engineering teams while applying Design for Manufacturability (DFM) to transition complex prototypes into production. Seeking to leverage a background in research and mission-critical infrastructure to develop next-generation hardware in the space, defense, and robotics industries.

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Work Experiences

Leakproof Piping System Inc.

Junior Engineer

Phoenix, AZ

Jan 2026 - Current

  • Utilize AutoCAD and Navisworks to review high-purity piping layouts, performing clash detection and spatial analysis to ensure seamless integration for TSMC’s advanced semiconductor (Fab21).

  • Support the execution of critical system pressure tests and leak detection on highly corrosive/reactive lines (PP, PVC, PFA) to validate pipeline integrity in advanced cleanroom environments.

  • Orchestrating pipeline routing and installation sequences for high-precision fluid systems, applying Lean construction principles to expedite timelines without compromising ultra-high-purity (UHP) standards.  

  • Serve as the primary bilingual (Mandarin/English) technical liaison between international HookUp engineering teams, TSMC personnel, and local Safety/QC departments to reconcile site-specific constraints with core design concepts.

  • Compile daily engineering reports, coordinate Audit Reports (AR), and manage heavy equipment vendor inspections, maintaining the Control Table as a reliable source of truth for project management.

UC San Diego

Student Researcher

La Jolla, CA

Oct 2022 - Aug 2024

  • Worked closely with Richard Kilburn in Dr. Vashan Wright's lab at Scripps Tectono Rock Physics Lab (STRPL) to characterize the mechanical behavior of granular materials by developing and validating physics-based models against experimental data, contributing to research slated for peer-reviewed publication.

  • Performed quantitative analysis of component microstructures using non-destructive imaging data (micro-CT), developing custom ImageJ algorithms with Macros that automated the extraction of key geometric parameters.

  • Owned the end-to-end development of novel experimental hardware, designing in SolidWorks and fabricating a precision anti-vibration table and a controlled environment curing chamber that enabled high-fidelity material property measurements.

  • Performed sample scanning using micro-CT at the Advanced Light Source (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory) to analyze material properties and composition, contributing to the characterization of rock samples.

  • Applied Hertz-Mindlin's rock physics model to predict seismic velocities based on grain-scale parameters, identifying discrepancies and proposing modifications to improve model accuracy.

Rio Hondo College

Gateway Tutor

Whittier, CA

Jan 2020 - Jun 2021

  • Enhanced student comprehension in core programming concepts by tutoring individuals and groups in C++ and Java, leading to improved project outcomes and grades.

  • Assisted students in developing course projects, including an Android slot machine game, by guiding problem-solving, debugging, and code optimization.

  • Worked closely with Professor Shin Liu to develop sample programs and instructional materials, resulting in increased code output and improved student understanding.

  • Provided technical support to students by troubleshooting IDE issues, debugging code, and resolving system configuration problems on school computers.

Daiso USA

Floor Staff & Cashier

San Gabriel, CA

Feb 2018 - May 2019

  • Collaborated with colleagues in various tasks in customer service, cleaning duty, inventory check, and sorting shipments into multiple categories. 

  • In charge of a specific section to organize items/products. 

  • Output daily store sales, and merchandise orders after the store closes to the headquarters.

Projects

Unmanned Aerial System Hybrid Powertrain Testbed

  • Took primary responsibility for nearly all aspects of hardware testing, from initial setup and calibration to execution and data collection for a testbed designed to characterize PCB stators in hybrid drone powertrains.

  • Developed all microcontroller code, including Arduino programs for BLDC motor speed control using PWM signals modulated by a potentiometer, and ESP32 firmware for multi-channel temperature logging from K-type thermocouples via MAX6675 modules, ensuring accurate data acquisition.

  • Designed PCB stator templates using Altium Designer  to simulate heat generation for thermal analysis and contributed to CAD modeling of components for the testbed assembly.

  • Performed comprehensive static tests (evaluating thermal/electrical performance under varying DC currents up to 1.5A ) and dynamic tests (assessing cooling effects of rotor rotation up to 3000 RPM ), including precise data logging and operational adjustments.

  • Analyzed experimental data to quantify stator thermal behavior, calculate cooling efficiencies (up to 45.28% cooling efficiency achieved at 3000 RPM ), and identify key performance factors and limitations, such as operational vibrations.

Project Tortas: Flattened Duct for Engine Build-Up

  • Contributed to the initial design and CAD modeling (SOLIDWORKS) of a flattened engine duct for Collins Aerospace, focusing on achieving a reduced cross-sectional profile while exploring oval and rectangular geometries.

  • Led material research and testing for duct fabrication, evaluating various 3D printing materials (e.g., PLA, resin) and methods (FDM, SLA) for prototyping complex aerospace components.

  • Iterated on duct CAD parameters based on design requirements and fabrication considerations, contributing to the development of initial prototypes for performance testing.

  • Investigated fabrication techniques to achieve desired surface roughness and dimensional accuracy for ducts intended to channel high-temperature, pressurized air.

Robotic Arm with Drive Train

  • Collaborated with a team of 4 to build a movable robotic arm to pick up boxes from unstable positions to place on different levels of platforms.

  • Designed the front (grabber) of the robot arm powered by a DC motor to pick up the boxes individually.

  • Laser cut, fabricated, and soldered parts for the robot.

  • Formed a Gantt chart for the group to keep the robot's progress on track.

Light-Activated Deadbolt

  • Designed the Light-Activated Deadbolt (LAD) using Fusion 360, ensuring precise dimensions and compatibility.  

  • Used an Adafruit circuit board to program the mechanism of the deadbolt.

  • Chose appropriate hardware, including a servo motor, light sensor, LED, and microcontroller, and assembled the components according to the CAD design.

Starship Clock Pendulum

  • Designed the clock using Fusion 360 and AutoCAD to build it with gear and pendulum powered by a dropping nut.

  • Laser cut and fabricated the parts individually to assemble the clock.

Involvements

UCSD Surf Clubs

Member

La Jolla, CA

Sep 2021 - Jun 2022

  • Improved surfing technique and knowledge of surf etiquette.

  • Built friendships and camaraderie with other surf enthusiasts.

  • Experienced the unique surf culture at UCSD and the surrounding beaches.

New Taipei City Junior & Senior High Schools English Talks

International Speaker

Virtual

January 2022

  • Talked about my struggle when I first moved to the United States of America from Taiwan.

  • Created and planned Zoom/Google Meet for online meetings.

  • Created PowerPoint slides for the presentation. 

New Taipei City English Summer Camps

International English Teacher

Virtual

August 2021

  • Collaborated with other English Teachers from different fields to create a teaching plan for the students in Taiwan so they can have a pleasant time learning English.

  • Created and planned Zoom/Google Meet for teachers' meetings.

  • Hosted the meeting while other teachers were teaching/presenting.

  • Taught the students in Taiwan personal tips for learning English.

Hualien County Elementary Schools English Summer Camp

International English Teacher

Hualien, Taiwan

Jul 2019 - Aug 2019

  • Taught students at National Dong Hwa University Experimental Primary School and Zhuoxi Elementary School.

  • Collaborated with other English Teachers to create a teaching plan and develop some fun activities to instruct younger kids.

  • Served as an interpreter for Taiwanese students and other foreign English teachers when needed.

Rio Hondo College MESA

Org Member

Whittier, CA

Apr 2018 - May 2021

  • Form strong teamwork with other members via workshops and various events

  • Prepare me to overcome future obstacles

Education

University of California, San Diego

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

La Jolla, CA

2021 - 2025

Rio Hondo College

N/a (Transferred to UCSD)

Whittier, CA

2018-2021

©2021 by KennethFromTaiwan.

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