


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.
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
