Natalia Furmańczyk

I am a Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics master’s student at the University of Pennsylvania with a background in mechanical design, mechatronics, and aerospace systems. I earned my B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from UCLA in 2025.

My engineering interests lie at the intersection of mechanical, electrical, and software systems, which I have explored through academic projects, research, and industry experience. My experiences range from developing autonomous robotic systems and motion-planning algorithms to analyzing aircraft thermal systems and designing manufacturing processes. I particularly enjoy projects that require taking a concept from an initial design through prototyping, testing, and iteration. I approach engineering challenges with both a systems perspective and attention to technical detail, with the goal of developing reliable and effective solutions.

Rocket viewed along a launch rail with a rainbow in the sky

Education

University of Pennsylvania

MSE in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics

Aug 2025 – Expected May 2027

University of California, Los Angeles

BS in Mechanical Engineering

Aug 2021 – Jun 2025

Summa cum laude

Experience

Honeywell

Systems Engineering InternJun – Aug 2025

Analyzed aircraft vapor compression cycles and built a Python interface to explore power draw and system utilization across flight conditions.

Gear Research Center, Technical University of Munich

InternMay – Jun 2024

Tested flow through wet clutches with different disc geometries, analyzed failure conditions in MATLAB, and refined a Fortran simulation.

Multiscale Thermosciences Laboratory, UCLA

Undergraduate ResearcherJan 2023 – Apr 2024

Studied fluid flow and interfacial behavior through Ansys Fluent simulations, CFD post-processing, and MATLAB analysis.

Stellant Systems

Manufacturing Engineering InternJun – Aug 2023

Designed alignment and attachment fixtures, built a tool for visualizing temperature measurements, and developed validation checks to improve assembly quality.

Rocket Project at UCLA

Recovery LeadOct 2021 – Apr 2024

Led a team of 4–10 in testing and manufacturing rocket recovery systems, including structural tests, electronics validation, and a 3D-printed pull-pin switch.

Skills

Software & programming

Python, MATLAB, C++, C#, Java, Git

Engineering tools

SolidWorks, Creo, Autodesk Fusion, Onshape, Tecplot, Ansys Fluent

Manufacturing

3D printing, Laser cutting, Carbon fiber/fiberglass layups with autoclave, GD&T, DFM/DFA