Gabriel Kern

- Finished 13th Internationally in 2026 Design, Build, Fly Competition - Program manager leading a team of 20+ engineers - Created automated configuration data generation tool and aerodynamic design optimizer called Inter-Mission Performance Analyzer (IMPA) which allowed a complete mapping of all mission requirements to an optimal configuration - Conducted thorough multidisciplinary design optimization through simulation to finalize preliminary design which satisfied aerodynamic, structural, electronic, and manufacturing concerns - Founded first composites lab in Santa Clara University history - Designed and manufactured 3D-printed molds for carbon fiber wet layups for a full-carbon fuselage, wingskin, and internal wingspar. - Constructed various subteams and enforced deadlines, design reviews, and check-ins while encouraging cross-team collaboration by through open, weekly meetings - Led testing efforts across: wind tunnel to get Reynold's number matched data, tooling to be used in conjunction with a car to get full-scale data, and in-lab structural testing - Spearheaded simulation efforts using OpenVSP for design work and inviscid analysis, Ansys Fluent/OpenFOAM for CFD analysis, Ansys Mechanical/CalculiX for FEA analysis, and Python-based scripting for DBF lap time analysis - Managed funding of the program, using a multi-channel approach of school-issued grants, company outreach, and friends and family donations

- Assembled team to program AI-powered application for early career success - Led backend development, using a Python-based stack consisting of FastAPI for creating API endpoints, SQLAlchemy for native Python SQL commands, PostgreSQL for database, OpenAI and Anthropic for LLM token providers, Langgraph for agent orchestration, and Redis for cache and quick-access data - Assisted in frontend development using Typescript with the React, Vite, and Tailwind CSS - Containerized application and managed a production push

Overhauled several manufacturing processes and introduced automation at several levels. Implemented custom AI agent to partially automate the process of documenting quality assurance into both internal and customer facing forms while ensuring compliance to AS9100 standards. Implemented new Quality Assurance workflows and assisted in streamlining purchase order quality clause adherence.

Founding student in a Santa Clara professor's research lab and head of the first research done within it. Generated the original idea for the project and recruited one of my peers to execute the project, which was to build a multi-robot trajectory planning algorithm that can be implemented in any environment where traversable space is constrained (machine shop, warehouse, datacenter, etc). Personally planned the overarching plan for algorithm implementation, led the direction of the project, and directly coded several elements of it, including the basic pathfinding algorithm and the collision resolution function. Conference paper accepted for publication through ASME.

Currently working as a contracted associate at Outlier AI, a company dedicated to training and refining the state of large language model (LLM) artificial intelligence. Utilizing an understanding of logic, computer science, and mathematics to improve the reasoning capabilities of different LLM models, ensuring an AI landscape that is smarter and more reliable for the future. Learned about how LLMs work, the future role of AI, the needs and goals of LLM training, creatively creating and solving unique problems, and logical reasoning skills.

- Vehicle Dynamics Lead, heading development of the analysis and fine-tuning of the suspension dynamics - Utilized MATLAB to create and refine from scratch a 6-DoF vehicle dynamics simulator for the purpose of design and resource optimization - Experience in CAD (SolidWorks, AutoCAD) for purpose of designing aerodynamic surfaces while minimizing weight addition - Utilized Ansys Fluent and Mechanical for analysis of aerodynamic benefit and structural integrity under expected aerodynamic and inertial loads

- Founder of search fund seeking to acquire small business in the aerospace manufacturing sector - Selected team of industry veterans, legal experts, and financial advisors from 100+ candidates - Conducted thorough outreach to investors, lenders, and company owners through a multi-channel approach - Submitted various letters of intent, none finalized

Founded and scaled an e-commerce brand that worked directly with overseas suppliers to deliver to customers worldwide. Utilized several sales skills including copywriting, direct sales, Facebook advertising, Google advertising, search engine optimization, and nurturing organic social media traffic. Learned the value of strong leadership, an unwavering sense of direction, and the necessity of learning to work on, and not just in, a business.

Valet attendant and driver for Nobu Restaurant and Hotel