Areeb Atif
Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Waterloo with hands-on experience in CAD, manufacturing engineering, and mechanical design.
Engineering precision meets creative problem-solving
I'm a Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Waterloo who builds things.
From industrial HVAC design at EVAPCO, where I applied DFA/DFM principles on large-scale ACC systems, to being a NASA HUNCH semi-finalist for developing a nitinol-actuated solar deployer for real CubeSat applications.
I work across SolidWorks, AutoCAD, and hands-on fabrication, with a focus on building things that are practical, precise, and manufacturable.
Where I've worked
Manufacturing Engineering Intern
EVAPCO Dry Cooling · Bridgewater, NJ
- Developed AutoCAD drawings for engineering calculations and constructability assessments for large-scale ACC HVAC systems
- Compiled bills of materials applying DFA principles to optimize component selection and assembly planning
- Analyzed piping size and venting capacity data to standardize future designs using Excel
- Coordinated structural flatness study to verify HVAC module safety and structural integrity
Global Leader Intern
United Planet · Online
- Designed educational and physical activities for children aged 6–14 in Ghana
- Met deadlines across time zones to deliver impactful leadership development programming
Volunteer
St. Joseph's Health · Wayne, NJ
- Supported clinical and administrative staff with patient care and clerical tasks
- Gained exposure to large-scale, safety-critical environments and strict operational protocols
From concept to fabrication
NASA HUNCH: CubeSat Solar Panel Deployer
Project Manager, Semi-Finalist
Nov 2024 – Feb 2025
Designed a nitinol-actuated, accordion-fold solar deployer expanding 1,000+ cm² from a 1U CubeSat frame.
- Increased energy capture for non-orienting CubeSats by compensating for limited sunlight exposure
- Applied DFA methods to design cost-effective, modular components
NASA HUNCH: Kwadropus Robot
Project Member
Nov 2023 – Mar 2024
Designed and fabricated a CAD-modeled, PLA 3D-printed robotic mobility arm for the Kwadropus Robot.
- Enabled handrail traversal and multi-orientation grasping
- Integrated servo motors for multi-directional rotation
Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV)
VEX Robotics
Jan 2025 – Feb 2025
Prototyped a VEX Robotics AGV programmed in RobotC with sensor-driven control logic.
- Autonomous path following implementation
- Real-time collision avoidance system
Basketball Legends Gantry System
Personal Project
Developed a rigid, belt-driven gantry system with optimized stiffness-to-weight ratio for high-speed movement.
- Integrated precision-ground shafts and motors within a 3D printed frame
- Eliminated mechanical binding through precise alignment
Rope Brake Dynamometer
Personal Project
Built a custom rope brake dynamometer to measure motor torque using weighted bottles and RPM calculations.
- Produced precision torque estimation graph from derived physics equations
- Measured torque of a 5V motor
Balance Bar Clevis
SolidWorks Model
Modeled a Balance Bar Clevis—a critical racing brake system component linking the adjustable balance bar to master cylinder pushrods.
- Achieved precise front-to-rear brake bias geometry
- Used fundamental sketching and extrusion techniques
Technical expertise
Engineering Tools
Manufacturing
Programming
Soft Skills
Let's build something together
I'm currently seeking co-op opportunities for Fall 2026. If you have a project in mind or just want to chat about engineering, feel free to reach out.