Sameer Bajaj
Lead Aerodynamicist -- Liquid Project @ Rocket Project at UCLA
About
I am a mechanical engineering student at UCLA focused on high-speed aerodynamics and structural dynamics. My work sits at the intersection of aerodynamic loading and structural response, where I build physics-grounded analysis tools to understand how geometry and attachment strategy affect dynamic aeroelastic stability. I developed a MATLAB-driven ANSYS Mechanical to NASTRAN aeroelastic pipeline to analyze supersonic fin flutter and divergence, enabling rapid geometric sensitivity studies across dozens of configurations. That workflow allowed our team to safely reduce fin thickness by half, cut finset mass by 48 percent, and increase projected apogee by 8,000 feet while maintaining stable margins. I have also led structural attachment studies combining hand calculations with coupled simulations to shift our hardware from epoxy fillets to CNC machined brackets. I am motivated by uncovering hidden assumptions in existing analysis methods and rebuilding them into adaptable, transparent frameworks. I am particularly interested in high-Mach flight, aeroelastic stability, and structural optimization where aerodynamic forces and structural constraints directly interact.
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United States
Aviation & Aerospace
Nastran, Ansys Fluent, Ansys Mechanical FEA Software, Composite Structures, MATLAB, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Python (Programming Language), Scholarly Research, Microsoft Excel, Autodesk Fusion 360, SOLIDWORKS, Acting, Teamwork, Physics, Assistant Teaching, Problem Solving, Mechanical Engineering, Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
Experience
Lead Aerodynamicist -- Liquid Project
Rocket Project at UCLA
Los Angeles, California, United States
• Built an automated ANSYS–NASTRAN aeroelastic pipeline to predict supersonic fin flutter and divergence to quantify mode coupling, enabling mass-optimized fin designs that increased vehicle apogee by 8,000 ft (22%) • Led the first full-vehicle CFD campaign in club history in ANSYS Fluent, building an aerospike optimization workflow that quantified a 10% apogee increase and formalized CFD methodology at Design Reviews • Used CFD-derived stagnation heat flux to evaluate delamination risk and thermal degradation in composite and aluminum nosecones, driving aerospike selection to displace the bow shock and reduce peak convective heating • Ran parametric modal studies across fastener configurations in ANSYS Modal, demonstrating a 58% increase in resonant frequency with optimized aluminum L-Brackets over traditional thixo-tropic epoxy fillets • Built a MATLAB boundary layer solver to compute mesh spacing for target Y+ values across flight regimes, reducing convergence iteration count by 42%; later extended solver to model ethanol flow through fuel manifold
Aerodynamic Surfaces Lead -- Hybrid Project
Rocket Project at UCLA
Los Angeles, California, United States
• Applied iterative aerodynamic and stability analyses in OpenRocket and RASAERO to optimize fin, nosecone, and boattail geometry for balanced drag and stability, achieving a record apogee of 19,200 ft • Wrote MATLAB program to analyze aeroelastic stability of foam-core composite fins, using NACA TN 1680 and 4197 formulations and Halpin–Tsai equations to predict flutter and divergence velocities • Manufactured carbon fiber–overlaid foam core fins using a custom sanding jig and vacuum bagging process to achieve precise NACA airfoil geometry, increasing apogee by an estimated 2,000 ft
Researcher
UCLA Smart Grid Energy Research Center (SMERC)
Los Angeles, California, United States
Worked on multiple programs, including a truck fleet load simulation and query tool to find the minimum grid inertia across a given timeframe. Working to install a V2L charger in UCLA during the winter
Climbing Instructor
Sender One Climbing, Fitness and Yoga
Santa Ana, California, United States
Coached one-on-one and group youth climbing sessions, emphasizing proper technique and safe practice.
Math Tutor
Russian School of Mathematics
Irvine, California, United States
Coached students on homework completion and mathematical understanding in group and one-on-one settings.
Education
UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science
Orange County School of the Arts
Studied in the Acting Conservatory, 4.7 GPA, competed in Science Olympiad for 6 years and ended as Build Team Captain. Member of National Honor Society.
Sameer Bajaj's Contact Information
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