Aita Sharifi

Resume

Aita Sharifi

B.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Irvine. aitas@uci.edu

LinkedIn

Education

University of California, Irvine

B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Samueli School of Engineering

Engineering experience

GE Aerospace, Cincinnati, Ohio

Jun 2026 – Present

Additive Inspection Intern

The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas

Jun – Aug 2025

Research Intern

  • In summer 2025 I was a research intern in the Nanoscale Design and Manufacturing Laboratory, working with Dr. Michael Cullinan and Andrew Gray on a MEMS electrostatic comb drive actuator for mechanical neural networks.
  • I built an analytical model in MATLAB, ran parameter sweeps and ANSYS simulations to see how the design parameters trade off force, displacement and natural frequency, and used the results to refine the actuator geometry in SolidWorks within the lab's fabrication constraints.

UCI ACE Robotics, Irvine, California

Jan 2025 – Present

Chassis Engineer, 30 lb combat robot (Shear Force), Jan 2026 – Present

  • Wheels and the molds they are cast in, drivetrain calculations, and manufacturing, including grinding the titanium armor supports.

Chassis Engineer, 12 lb combat robot (Antihilator), Jan 2025 – Jan 2026

  • Helped design, prototype and refine a 12 lb robot with a vertical kinetic weapon. I redesigned mechanical parts such as the drivetrain in SolidWorks for durability and manufacturability, and turned CAD models into parts we could machine.

Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum, Irvine, California

Apr 2025 – Present

Rudder Subteam Member

  • I work with engineers and aviation historians to restore the rudder assembly of a WWI-era Curtiss JN-4D “Jenny” for public exhibition. My part covers structural analysis, dimensional work, material selection, manufacturability and safe handling practices for preservation.

UCI Solar Airplane Project, Irvine, California

Jul 2025 – Jun 2026

Aerodynamics Engineer

  • I worked on the aerodynamic design and analysis of UCI's solar-powered aircraft: airfoil and wing design, aerodynamic optimization and performance analysis aimed at flight efficiency, together with the structures, propulsion and controls teams.

Leadership

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Club at UCI

President

Jun 2025 – Jul 2026

  • Ran club operations: practice scheduling, event planning and finances.
  • Led the executive board and worked with Club Sports administrators on university compliance.
  • Represented the club in outreach and recruiting.

Treasurer

Aug 2023 – Jun 2025

  • Built the budget projections and allocation plans, and prepared the year-end budget packets that secured the next year's funds from Club Sports.

Society of Women Engineers at UC Irvine

Outreach Committee Member

Sep 2024 – May 2025

  • Planned K-12 STEM outreach in bi-weekly committee meetings, then helped organize and host the events.

General Member

Aug 2023 – Aug 2025

  • Sponsored by SWE to attend the WE24 conference in Chicago with the chapter's board members.

Engineering Student Council, UC Irvine

Corporate Affairs Committee Member

Oct 2024 – Jun 2025

  • Organized networking events for engineering students: information sessions, resume workshops and Networking Dinner Night.
  • Contacted companies by email, phone and in person to bring them to those events.

Skills and tools

Tools: ANSYS, MATLAB, SolidWorks

Skills: Aerodynamics, Airfoil design, Analytical modeling, CAD, Design for manufacture, Drivetrain, Manufacturability, Manufacturing, Material selection, Mold making, Performance analysis, Simulation, Structural analysis