Alan Ayala / Engineering portfolio

Exploring ideas. Building along the way.

I'm an engineering student in Illinois. This is a collection of what I'm making, what I'm learning, and the experiences helping me figure out where I want to go next.

Explore my projects ↓View résumé ↗

01 / Selected projects

From an idea
to something real.

Mechanics, electronics, and useful things for my own workspace. Each project gives me a different reason to learn something new.

PROJECT / 01Completed · Honors project

Mechanical design / Applied mathematics

Huygens’ Isochronous Pendulum

Taking an idea from Calculus III off the page and turning it into a physical demonstration of cycloidal motion.

What I built

I researched the geometry behind Huygens’ pendulum, modeled the assembly in Fusion 360, 3D printed the structure, and machined two metal bobs. I then physically tested the completed demonstration.

What it brought together

The project connected the mathematics of curvature with the practical work of modeling, fabrication, and assembly. It earned an A as my Calculus III honors project.

  • Fusion 360
  • 3D printing
  • Machined bobs
  • Calculus III
PROJECT / 02Prototype built

Embedded systems / Sensor integration

CNC Machine Status Notifier

A small electronics project inspired by a practical shop-floor question: how can I keep track of a machine without standing beside it?

What I built

I designed, programmed, and built an enclosed ESP32 system using MPU-6050 motion and SW-420 vibration sensors to detect machine activity and send status alerts to a smartwatch.

What it brought together

This brought together C++ programming, sensor wiring, enclosure design, and a real use case from manufacturing. It is one way I’m connecting physical equipment with embedded electronics.

  • ESP32
  • C++
  • Motion + vibration
  • Smartwatch alerts
PROJECT / 03Completed build

Electronics / Practical prototyping

Desktop Solder-Fume Extractor

A compact desktop build for my soldering workspace, combining airflow, filtration, and simple electrical controls.

What I built

I assembled a radial fan, step-up converter, push-button control, and HEPA/activated-carbon filtration into a compact extractor.

What it brought together

A useful exercise in choosing compatible components and making the wiring and controls work together. Filtration performance has not been independently measured; this is a personal prototype, not certified safety equipment.

  • Radial fan
  • Power conversion
  • Wiring
  • Assembly
PROJECT / 04In development

Electronics / Product development

Desktop Environment Monitor

Exploring how to turn a sensor circuit into a compact device that is easier to use, assemble, and keep on a desk.

What I built

The prototype uses an ESP32, BME280 environmental sensor, and a small OLED display. The next steps center on the modular enclosure, faceplate, and final assembly.

Where it stands

The focus is temperature, humidity, and pressure sensing. This project is still developing, with room to improve the housing and how the information is presented.

  • ESP32
  • BME280
  • OLED
  • Enclosure design

More ideas brewing.

I'll keep adding projects as I build, test, and learn.

02 / Experience

Learning where
the work happens.

School gives me the theory. Working with parts, processes, customers, and teammates gives me another way to understand it.

June 2025 — Present

Cyrus Shank

Mechanical Engineering Intern
& Machinist Apprentice

Illinois · Apprenticeship since November 2025

I lead day-to-day work in the PDSV department, from assembling valves and testing them to quality control and production tracking. The role has also given me experience with machining, process improvement, and the coordination that keeps production moving.

  • Assembly, testing, and quality. Perform pop, leak, and spring tests, first-article inspections, and production tracking under ASME code and ISO quality requirements.
  • Making the process easier to follow. Improved assembly, testing, and shipping procedures and introduced spreadsheet tracking, helping the team recover from a 2,500+ unit backorder.
  • Connecting design with production. Machine components for pressure-relief valves rated from 50–400 psi, support product revisions, and create custom 3D-printed tools.
  • Seeing the wider operation. Support CAM, CNC equipment, TRUMPF laser marking, quotations, purchase orders, and vendor coordination.
2,500+unit backorder the team helped recover
50–400 psipressure-relief valve ratings
Design → productionCAD, tools, parts, testing, and coordination

Experience beyond engineering

Nov 2024 — Present

E-commerce store owner

I manage sourcing, listings, pricing, customer messages, packaging, and fulfillment for a resale business with 100+ completed sales and 20+ five-star reviews.

June 2022 — Present

Commercial cleaning & maintenance

Recurring work for offices and commercial properties around Chicagoland, including supplies and client scheduling. It has been a practical lesson in consistency and responsibility.

April 2024 — June 2025

Jewel-Osco · Service clerk

Supported busy shifts through customer assistance, bagging, cart retrieval, stocking, and keeping the store organized.

Tools I work with

A growing technical toolkit.

Experience across design, manufacturing, and electronics—not a claim to have mastered every tool.

Design & prototyping
Fusion 360 CAD/CAM · Technical drawings · DFM · 3D printing · Manufacturing process improvement
Manufacturing & quality
CNC turning and milling · Precision measurement · Valve testing · ASME/ISO quality practices · TRUMPF laser marking
Equipment experience
Okuma LB3000 EX · Haas VF-4, ST-30Y, UMC-500 · DMG MORI NLX 2000–2500
Programming & electronics
C++ · ESP32 · Arduino IDE · I²C · Sensor integration · Soldering

03 / Education & involvement

Growing with
the people around me.

2025 — Present

Waubonsee
Community College

Associate in Engineering Science

Expected May 2027. Preparing to transfer into a B.S. Mechanical Engineering program in Fall 2027.

3.9 GPAPresident's List
Dean's List

Previously: East Aurora High School · Class of 2025 · Top 5% · High Honors

May 2026 — Present / President

Phi Theta Kappa

I lead chapter planning, officer collaboration, and member outreach. I'm developing initiatives around transfer resources, scholarships, campus events, and partnerships with neighboring chapters.

May 2026 — Present / Officer

Engineering, Math, & Physics Club

I collaborate on team design-and-build challenges, including a structural bridge project, and support club planning and member participation.

Community / Memberships

ASME · Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) · CAD Club · Business Club · The Hive

Still exploring.
Always moving forward.

I'm currently following the mechanical engineering pathway and preparing to transfer into a four-year program. I'm ambitious about where I want to go, even though I'm still discovering exactly what direction I want to take within engineering.

I learn best through trial and error, especially when I can build something physical and see how it performs. Troubleshooting and improving a project is often the part I enjoy most. When an idea isn't working, I'm willing to step back and reconsider the entire approach instead of forcing the original plan.

I'm especially interested in mechanical design and CAD, along with business and entrepreneurship. What appeals to me about engineering is the variety of directions it can lead and the opportunity to create something genuinely useful. I want to explore those possibilities before committing to one specialty, using each project and experience to better understand where my strengths and interests fit.

Moving forward, I want to keep creating increasingly useful projects while discovering where I fit best. I hope this portfolio helps me connect with engineering internships, project collaborators, mentors, professional connections, and transfer opportunities that challenge me to continue growing.

Away from the workbench

Outside school and work, I enjoy exploring new places, thrifting and reselling, and designing new things to 3D print—interests that keep me active and give me new experiences to learn from.

05 / Connect

Let's start
a conversation.

Have a project, an internship opportunity, or a perspective I could learn from? I'm glad to meet people across engineering and beyond.

Email me ↗LinkedIn ↗Résumé PDF ↗
alanayala@myyahoo.com