I've worked several engineering internships, including at the Jefferson Lab Particle Accelerator and NASA Langley Research Center. I also have extensive experience leading projects to success, including as the electromechanical team lead for an autonomous vehicle and as the team lead for an 8-student undergraduate microfabrication research group.
About Me
I'm a multidisciplinary engineer with a passion for developing autonomous robotics, leading projects, and working to solve complex engineering challenges. This website serves as a supplement to my resume, and contains information about my Education, Work Experience, and Projects. I am currently working at NASA as a Lunar Surface Infrastructure Intern for Summer 2026.
I'm very passionate when it comes to leading projects, including as the electromechanical team lead for Hyperlabs to develop an intelligent autonomous ground vehicle. I am also the team lead for my 8-student research group, where we are studying micro-optoelectronic devices for IR imaging for the Air Force. Finally, I am the project lead for RISE, an independent project seeking to develop extraterrestrial UAV infrastructure capable of autonomous battery-exchange for drones.
Education
I have been attending the Honors College at Virginia Commonwealth University since entering in August 2023. I'm pursuing two bachelor's degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Physics, with a concentration in Nuclear Engineering and a minor in Aerospace Engineering. I currently have a 3.59 GPA on a 4.0 scale, and I'm on-track to graduate with both degrees in May 2027.
I have taken a variety of high-level engineering courses including Aircraft Flight/Design, Aerospace Materials, CAE Design, Thermal and Mechanical Systems Design, Fluid Mechanics, Heat Transfer, Project Management, Aerospace Propulsion, and Probabilistic Risk Assessment. I plan to enter an industry position after graduation before later returning to my education and research in a doctorate program.
Work Experience
I landed an internship at the Jefferson Lab National Accelerator Facility in High School, and I worked at Phlow Corp as a Manufacturing Maintenance Intern over Summer 2025 to help maintain process and HVAC equipment. I am currently working at NASA at Langley Research Center as a Lunar Surface Infrastructure intern to evaluate conceptual aircraft structures for future lunar colonization efforts.
After coming to VCU, I was hired as an undergraduate research intern at the Virginia Microelectronics Center (VMC), a nanoelectronics lab used for research and training. I'm responsible for maintaining an ISO-6 cleanroom while also working on my research under Dr. Nibir Dhar, where we're developing micro-optoelectronic devices for the Air Force. I am responsible for maintaining many of the fabrication machines as well as training postdoctorate researchers on their operation.
Projects
On top of the independent projects I have designed and prototyped myself, I've had the opportunity to lead several projects and teams working on autonomous UAV infrastructure, autonomous vehicles, microfabrication research, and several academic projects. This includes as the Electromechanical Team Lead for Hyperlabs, the Team Lead for my undergraduate research group, and the project lead for RISE.
I've taught myself a variety of skills including programming in Python, Java, C++, and JavaScript, as well as a wide suite of software and frameworks including Linux, ROS, ANSYS, AutoDesk Inventor and Nastran, SolidWorks, MATLAB, and CAFTA. I use my projects as a means to engage with new disciplines and learn new skills along the way, and I have built a deep base of theoretical and technical knowledge through these experiences.
My Skills
Project Leadership
Leading microfabrication research, design and manufacture of UAV autonomous energy infrastructure, and electromechanical team lead for Hyperlabs autonomous vehicle.
Autonomy
Electromechanical team lead for Hyperlabs, designing an autonomous vehicle for IGVC 2027. Experience in Gazebo and ROS with a deep knowledge of Python and C++.
System Design
Highly experienced in SolidWorks, CAD, and mechanical design. Created models for autonomous vehicle chassis and robotic UAV base station capable of autonomous battery exchange.
CAE Analysis
Developed Nastran FEA simulations and analyzed CAD models for NASA, and implemented numerical methods using Python Pandas and NumPy. MATLAB fundamentals certified.
Programming
Over 8 years of programming experience across websites, desktop applications, videogames, chrome extensions, and projects. Python, C++, Java, JavaScript, Visual Basic, SQL, ROS, Gazebo, MATLAB.
Sensors & Circuits
Hands-on experience with a variety of telemetry, transmission, and navigation sensors, wiring, soldering, and circuit design. Leading Mid-IR sensor device research for the A-STAR Lab.
Robotic Design
Designing a 4WD mecanum drivetrain to provide enhanced vehicle movement. Leading an autonomous infrastructure project implementing robotic battery exchange. ROS, Gazebo, Python, C++, SolidWorks.
Cleanrooms
Over two years of experience maintaining an ISO-6 cleanroom, managing infrastructure projects, providing equipment training, and troubleshooting electromechanical fabrication equipment.
Maintenance
Professional experience performing maintenance in cleanrooms, labs, and manufacturing environments. Adept in troubleshooting complex electromechanical systems.
Contact
Feel free to email me at contact@marcelle-jones.com for any professional inquiries, or you can message me on LinkedIn. If you would like to text or speak over the phone, please email me first requesting my number for privacy reasons. Thanks!
© Copyright 2026, Marcelle Jones. All rights reserved.