Mechanical Engineering / SJSU / Dec 2026

Winston Bird

Mechanical engineering student focused on energy systems, Formula SAE battery hardware, CAD, and hands-on manufacturing.

Winston Bird
108,445 kWh energy savings identified
$48.9K annual cost reduction projected
400V Formula SAE battery system
+/-0.002 in machining tolerance held

Selected Work

Project Portfolio

DOE IAC / Energy Audit Feb 2025 - Apr 2025

End-Use Energy Analysis in a Water Treatment Plant

Used SCADA exports, nameplate data, logger measurements, and Excel models to build an equipment-level energy baseline.

Result: Identified 108,445 kWh in annual savings, $48,900 in annual cost reduction, and 5,500+ lb CO2 reduction.

SCADAExcelVFDsenergy modeling
Research poster for end-use energy analysis in a water treatment plant
Formula SAE Electric Aug 2023 - Aug 2024

High-Voltage Battery Module Design

Designed and supported 50V battery modules for a 400V accumulator, balancing packaging, thermal behavior, assembly, and rule compliance.

Result: Integrated 96 additional cells, reduced starting temperature by 17C, and supported a 5th overall Formula SAE Electric US finish.

SOLIDWORKSthermal designhigh voltagetesting
Spartan Racing Electric team with Formula SAE carFormula SAE battery module and perforated cover plate
Machining / Shop Build Aug 2024 - Dec 2024

Oscillating Cylinder Steam Engine

Machined steel, brass, and aluminum parts on manual mills and lathes, then assembled and tuned the engine.

Result: Held +/-0.002 in on fitted components and ran the final engine on 7 PSI compressed air.

manual milllatheinspectionassembly
Formula SAE / Fabrication 2022 - 2023

Accumulator Transport Cart

Designed and fabricated a transport cart for a high-voltage accumulator pack used in shop and competition settings.

Result: Built a welded frame with a Deadman brake system and serviceable brackets for sensors and hardware.

TIG weldingbrake systemfixture designfabrication

Experience

Relevant Roles

Aug 2024 - Present

Mechanical Systems Engineering Intern

U.S. Department of Energy Industrial Assessment Center

SCADA-based energy analysis, equipment review, savings calculations, and site recommendations.

Aug 2023 - Aug 2024

Battery Module Designer

Spartan Racing Electric / Formula SAE

50V module design, accumulator packaging, thermal constraints, testing, and rulebook compliance.

Aug 2022 - Aug 2023

Accumulator Cart Designer

Spartan Racing Electric / Formula SAE

Welded frame, Deadman brake system, sourced hardware, and fabricated brackets.

Skills

Technical Toolkit

CAD / Design

SOLIDWORKS, Fusion 360, Onshape, GD&T, DFM

Analysis

SCADA, Excel models, FEA exposure, discharge curve testing

Manufacturing

manual mill, manual lathe, TIG welding, soldering, crimping, spot welding

Tools

CBA battery testers, VFDs, Microsoft Office 365, high-voltage safety awareness

Contact

Available for mechanical engineering internships, co-ops, and project roles.