Skip to content

Electrical Engineer

Hi, I’m Jenny!

Orion Vehicle Systems Engineer at NASA Johnson Space Center, rotating on the Electrical Power System.

Houston, Texas

JT

About

Rockets, circuits and a lot of curiosity

Electrical engineer undergraduate with a passion for foodtech, rocketry, and 3D printing.

I thrive on tackling complex challenges and collaborating with diverse teams to drive impactful results.

My goal is to blend technical expertise with creative vision, whether it’s developing advanced prototypes or pioneering new tech applications.

Languages

Cantonese

Native or bilingual

English

Professional working proficiency

Spanish

Elementary proficiency

French

Elementary proficiency

Italian

Elementary proficiency

Experience

Where I’ve built, tested and led

  1. Orion Vehicle Systems Engineer

    Jun 2026 – Present · Johnson Space Center · Houston, TX

    Supporting NC3, Space Transportation, within the Safety and Mission Assurance division. Training to be an Orion Vehicle Systems Engineer (VSE); currently rotating on the Electrical Power System (EPS) subsystem of Orion.

    • Training to be SMA MER console certified.
    • STEP 1 certified.
  2. Electrical Engineer Co-op · Tour 2

    Co-op, Aug 2022 – Jun 2026 · Spring 2024 · Johnson Space Center · Houston, TX

    Supported EX3, Project Management and Systems Engineering: electrical and systems engineering support for the Multi-layer Acoustics & Conductive-grid Sensor (MACS) technology demonstration mission, in collaboration with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

    • Developed the operational concept timeline for the Preliminary Design Report (PDR).
    • Assisted with the design and development of the HTV-X vehicle emulator to work with the MACS GUI Commander.
    • Assisted with the development of the User Interface Control Document (ICD), with focus on the electrical section.
    • Assisted with the simulation and testing of the HTV-X vehicle emulator test circuits.
    • Familiarized myself with JAMA by entering MACS requirements.
    Systems EngineeringProject Management
  3. Electrical Engineer Co-op · Tour 1

    Co-op, Aug 2022 – Jun 2026 · Fall 2022 · Johnson Space Center · Houston, TX

    Supported EV3, Human Interface, within the Avionics System division: designed and manufactured a functional Audio Belt Pack (ABP) prototype in support of the Gateway crew.

    • Designed electrical schematics in Altium NEXUS, complete with footprints and bill of materials.
    • Designed, iterated, and manufactured 3D prints using Creo, Cura, and an Ultimaker 3D printer.
    • Wired and soldered electrical components.
    • Identified materials for procurement.
    Altium NEXUSCreoLTSpice
  4. Electrical Engineer Intern

    May 2022 – Aug 2022 · Kennedy Space Center · Merritt Island, FL

    Supported NE-L5, Explorations Payload: designed the schematics of a CMF025 Coriolis flowmeter for an R&D project on fuel waste reduction in future missions.

    • Analyzed the CMF025 datasheet.
    • Developed, with another EE, 7 space-rated electrical schematics in Altium based on the datasheet and physical model.
    Altium
  5. Engineering in STEM Education Intern

    Jan 2021 – Aug 2021 · Marshall Space Flight Center · Huntsville, AL

    Worked on the NASA Student Launch Initiative (SLI) and the NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge (HERC).

    • Acted as a model rocketry Subject Matter Expert (SME) during the competition’s Critical Design Review (CDR) and Flight Readiness Review (FRR).
    • Reviewed and gave constructive feedback on 70+ engineering design reports from teams across the U.S.
    • Reviewed and dissected 160+ design review documents to determine categorical scores.
    • Initiated and helped make major revisions to the official 2022 HERC Handbook.
    • Acted as a vehicle Subject Matter Expert (SME) during the Design Review (DR) and Operational Readiness Review (ORR).
    • Developed a semi-automated scoring system and scoresheet provider in Microsoft Excel and Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), officially used for the 2022 engineering reviews.
    • Initiated and organized a promotional 2022 HERC event for prospective competitors, with 450+ RSVPs and 95+ attendees.
    RocketryMicrosoft ExcelVBA

Implemented and maintained embedded firmware features for motors, sensors, and peripherals under guidance, following established architecture, coding standards, and safety patterns.

Research on micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS) microfliers with PI Professor Igor Paprotny.

  • Developed the CADs of the MEMS microfliers in SolidWorks.
  • Conducted flights of microstructures 3D-printed with two-photon lithography, using micro-heaters.
  • Researched the radiometric and mechanical forces behind the propulsion of the microfliers.
SolidWorksLithography
  • Led a team of 3 engineers through a Preliminary Design Phase (PDR) for a mission concept of identifying hydrogen molecules on the Moon.
  • Oversaw the design of the orbiter vehicle and payload subsystem and testing procedures.
TeamworkLeadership
  1. Vice President

    Apr 2021 – Dec 2021

  2. Rocket Avionics Bay Lead

    Nov 2019 – Nov 2021 · Chicago, IL

    Rocketry for the Intercollegiate Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC) and Argonia Cup.

    • Soldered and programmed the onboard electrical components so the altimeters send current to the ejection charges at a set altitude.
    • Modeled and designed the recovery system CAD in SolidWorks to ensure proper hardware fitting.
    • Managed a team of 5 through virtual meetings.
    • Tested and calculated the black powder and shear pins needed for parachute deployment.
    OpenRocketSolidWorksSoldering
  3. Rocketry Member

    Aug 2019 – Dec 2021

Founded and led NASA JSC’s first intern running committee, organizing bi-weekly running practices that boosted intern engagement and fostered a culture of health and camaraderie.

LeadershipCommunication

Projects

Things I’ve designed, built and flown

High-power rocketry · Fall 2019

Rocketry & Certification Projects

I built my first high-power hobby rocket and earned both Level 1 and Level 2 certifications. As a first-semester student (then majoring in neuroscience), I taught myself SolidWorks to model a custom recovery bay, gaining my first real exposure to mechanical design and fabrication. This experience ultimately pushed me into engineering the following semester.

SolidWorksNAR L1 & L2

Rocketry & Certification Projects

Jenny’s high-power rocket standing on the launch rail in a snowy field
Jenny’s high-power rocket standing on the launch rail in a snowy field
The rocket after recovery, lying in the field with its orange parachute
The rocket after recovery, lying in the field with its orange parachute
SolidWorks rendering of the custom recovery bay
SolidWorks rendering of the custom recovery bay

Robotics organization · Nov – Dec 2019

Arduino-Based LED Visualization

As part of a robotics organization, I programmed an Arduino to drive an LED strip that changed color based on XYZ sensor input. I designed the breadboard layout, integrated sensor readings into the microcontroller logic, and handled the full system behavior from concept to implementation. I later designed a PCB to replace the bulky breadboarding.

Arduino IDEEagle PCBATmega328P

Arduino-Based LED Visualization

Arduino and breadboard driving a glowing blue LED strip
Arduino and breadboard driving a glowing blue LED strip
Eagle layout of the single-layer PCB that replaced the breadboard
Eagle layout of the single-layer PCB that replaced the breadboard

Logic design project

Digital Combination Lock

From my favorite undergraduate class, I built a digital combination-lock system using both combinational and sequential logic. The circuit used flip-flops, comparators, and a timing module to verify a multi-digit code.

Digital Combination Lock

CircuitVerse schematic of the combination lock with flip-flops and a three-digit display
CircuitVerse schematic of the combination lock with flip-flops and a three-digit display

Personal project · Aug 2020

Custom Longboard Deck

Using birchwood, a jigsaw, and sanding tools, I designed and shaped my own longboard deck. This was a hands-on fabrication project that taught me a lot about materials, ergonomics, and iterative physical design.

CarpentryPower Tools

Custom Longboard Deck

The finished birch longboard deck with a dragonfly design
The finished birch longboard deck with a dragonfly design

Personal project · Age 18

Early Web Development

At 18, I created an HTML website exploring themes around mortality and philosophy. The project wasn’t technical in a traditional engineering sense, but it sparked my interest in building things for the web and expressing ideas through design and code.

HTML

Early Web Development

Screenshot of Jenny’s first HTML website, red and black with a poem and fun facts
Screenshot of Jenny’s first HTML website, red and black with a poem and fun facts

Instagram

Cooking Content Creation

I previously ran a cooking Instagram account where I posted short cooking videos; the most popular reached ~15,000 views and 500 likes. Though the account is now deleted, it taught me content production, consistency, and how to communicate engagingly with an audience.

VideoContent production

At NASA and NSF

NASA JSC · Fall 2022

Audio Belt Pack prototype

A functional Audio Belt Pack (ABP) prototype for the Gateway crew: electrical schematics in Altium NEXUS with footprints and bill of materials, and 3D prints designed and iterated in Creo and Cura.

Altium NEXUSCreo3D printing

NASA JSC · JAXA · Spring 2024

MACS technology demonstration

Electrical and systems engineering support for the Multi-layer Acoustics & Conductive-grid Sensor (MACS) mission with JAXA: the operational concept timeline for the PDR and the HTV-X vehicle emulator.

Systems EngineeringICD

NASA KSC · Summer 2022

Coriolis flowmeter schematics

Seven space-rated electrical schematics of a CMF025 Coriolis flowmeter, developed with another EE in Altium, for an R&D project on fuel waste reduction in future missions.

AltiumR&D

NSF at UIC · Summer 2021

MEMS microfliers

Flight of two-photon lithography micro-fliers by thermal actuation: CADs in SolidWorks, flights with micro-heaters, and research into the radiometric and mechanical forces behind their propulsion.

SolidWorksTwo-photon lithography

MEMS microfliers

Research poster: Flight of Two-Photon Lithography Micro-Fliers, Thermal Actuation
Research poster: Flight of Two-Photon Lithography Micro-Fliers, Thermal Actuation

Skills

Endorsed, assessed and certified

  • SolidWorks

    • Skill assessment
    • 1 endorsement
    • AIAA and 1 more role
  • OpenRocket

    • HPR Level 1 & 2 certified
    • Recovery Lead, AIAA
  • Autodesk Inventor

    • Skill assessment
    • HPR Level 1 & 2 certified
  • C

    • Skill assessment
    • 1 endorsement
  • Visual Basic for Applications (VBA)

    • Skill assessment
    • NASA
  • Project Management

    • 1 endorsement
    • NASA and 1 more role
  • Matlab

    • Skill assessment
  • HTML

    • Skill assessment
  • Arduino

    • 1 endorsement

Engineering · used on the job

  • Systems Engineering
  • LTSpice
  • Creo
  • Ansys Mechanical FEA
  • Soldering
  • Lithography
  • Technical Analysis
  • Rocketry
  • Programming

Team & tools · used on the job

  • Leadership
  • Communication
  • Teamwork
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Google Docs

Education

Degree, honors and certifications

University of Illinois Chicago (UIC)

B.S., Electrical Engineering

Sep 2019 – May 2026 · Gap year 2024–2025

  • Dean’s List, Spring 2020

Certifications

  • NAR Level 1 and Level 2 HPR Certifications

    National Association of Rocketry

    Issued Nov 2019

  • Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Level 2

    NASA

    Issued Feb 2024 · Expired Feb 2026

  • Adult CPR/AED

Involvement

Teams and organizations at UIC

  • AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics), UIC

    Project Lead, Vice President

    Aug 2019 – Dec 2022

    Project team lead; lead of the electronics bay team for the Intercollegiate Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC) and Argonia Cup.

  • Chicago EDT Robotics (Engineering Design Team), UIC

    Vice President

    Aug 2019 – May 2020

    General member on competition team Artois; Vice President on project teams robotic arm and micromouse.

  • Hyperloop, UIC

    General member

    Aug 2019 – Mar 2020

    Worked with a team to use VectorNav to calculate the acceleration and distance of a moving object for the Hyperloop Pod Competition.

Contact

Let’s connect! 🚀

Email me or send a message on LinkedIn.

Houston, Texas