Palatine, IL ⇄ Fairfax, VA
Derek Nagel.
See what I've been working on.
I’m a Mechanical Engineering student at George Mason University concentrating in Aerospace. Scroll through to see what I’ve been building, where I’ve worked, and what’s next.
About Me
I’m a Mechanical Engineering student at George Mason University with a concentration in Aerospace and a minor in Aviation Flight Training and Management. I learn by building: a 260,000-mile Tesla battery pack brought back to life, an ADS-B rig that points at passing aircraft, whatever custom electronics a project needs.
I’m currently a Mechanical Engineering Intern at Astronics Connectivity Systems & Certification in Waukegan, IL, working on aerospace LRU design, structural modeling in SolidWorks, environmental qualification (HALT) testing, and manufacturing automation studies for in-flight connectivity systems. Before that I spent a summer at Tesla as an Advisor, supporting EV delivery operations and shadowing manufacturing at the Elgin facility. I hold a Private Pilot certificate (single and multi-engine) and compete on George Mason’s Division I Men’s Volleyball team.
Here are a few technologies and tools I work with:
- SolidWorks
- MATLAB
- Autodesk Inventor
- Embedded Systems
- Mechanical Design
- 3D Printing
- HV Electrical Systems
- Python & Automation
Where I’ve Worked
Mechanical Engineering Intern @ Astronics
May 2026 – Present • Waukegan, IL
- Mechanical engineering intern at Astronics Connectivity Systems & Certification (ACSC), supporting aerospace LRU design for in-flight connectivity and entertainment systems on Airbus and Boeing aircraft
- Converted a 4-MCU ARINC 600 tray assembly into a structural model in SolidWorks for modal analysis, working to qualification requirements under DO-160G and AS9100 QMS procedures
- Led recovery of a Qualmark Typhoon 3.0 HALT environmental test chamber from an extended outage; root-caused the fault and returned accelerated-life testing to service
- Built the capital justification for a proposed robotic riveting cell: process time studies, throughput modeling, and CAPEX/payback analysis, informed by vendor research at the AUTOMATE 2026 trade show
- Designing production tooling and test fixtures in SolidWorks within AS9100 PLM/ERP-driven quality processes
Tesla Advisor @ Tesla
May 2025 – Sep 2025 • Schaumburg, IL
- Supported end-to-end EV delivery operations including vehicle staging, quality checks, and final inspection
- Communicated technical EV systems (battery, drivetrain, charging, software) to customers, translating complex engineering concepts into clear explanations
- Shadowed operations at Tesla’s Elgin manufacturing facility, observing battery production, electric motor assembly, and manufacturing workflows
Volleyball Coach @ Pipeline Volleyball
May 2024 – Aug 2024 • Schaumburg, IL
- Coached youth volleyball athletes on technique, positioning, and game strategy
- Planned and led practices, drills, and scrimmages for players at varying skill levels
- Developed communication and leadership skills through daily mentorship and team management
Event Coordinator @ Salt Creek Park District
May 2023 – Aug 2023
- Coordinated and executed community events, managing logistics, scheduling, and on-site operations
- Collaborated with staff and vendors to ensure smooth event setup, execution, and teardown
- Communicated with community members and stakeholders to promote programming and gather feedback
Things I’ve Built
Featured Project
Tesla Model S P85 — Battery & Drivetrain Rebuild
- HV Electrical
- ·
- Mechanical Disassembly
- ·
- Corrosion Treatment
- ·
- Systems Integration
In Progress
Plane Pointer — Automated Aircraft Tracking System
- Embedded Systems
- ·
- Servo Control
- ·
- ADS-B / RF
- ·
- Mechanical Design
Education & Background
George Mason University — Fairfax, VA
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Concentration in Aerospace · Expected May 2027
Minor: Aviation Flight Training and Management
Presidential Academic Scholarship
Coursework: Thermodynamics, Solid Mechanics, Dynamics, Statics, Differential Equations, Air Transportation System Engineering, Human Factors
Aviation — Private Pilot Certificate
Single-Engine & Multi-Engine Rated · Licensed Summer 2023
Licensed to fly single and multi-engine aircraft. Trained at multiple airports across Illinois and Virginia.
Division I Athlete & Leadership
George Mason University Men’s Volleyball · #17
Competes at the Division I level for George Mason Men’s Volleyball. Current President of Athletes in Action at GMU, leading community service initiatives and mental health outreach for student-athletes.
05.What’s Next?
Get In Touch
I’m at Astronics for the summer and always up for talking aerospace, EVs, or aviation. If something here caught your eye, email is the fastest way to reach me.