Hi, I'm William Stratton

Aerospace Engineering graduate with experience in drone technology, structural analysis, and thermal engineering.

About Me

I'm an Aerospace Engineering graduate from Auburn University with a minor in Computer Science. I have a strong foundation in programming languages including Python, MATLAB, Java, and C++.

My experience spans research in aerodynamics, drone technology, and structural analysis. I'm passionate about applying engineering principles to solve complex problems in aerospace and beyond.

Education:Auburn University, B.S. Aerospace Engineering, Minor in Computer Science (GPA: 3.36/4.00)
Certification:FAA Part 107 License (April 2025)
William Stratton at Auburn University

Experience

My professional journey and research experience.

Undergraduate Research Assistant

May 2024 - December 2024

Vertical Lift Research Center of Excellence

Conducting in-depth experiments on coaxial, counter-rotating blades to analyze thrust and torque values using aerodynamic principles. Collecting data with load cells attached to each rotor, converting voltage to force, and performing fluid analysis in MATLAB. Studying how ground effect and turbulent forces affect the amount of power and thrust required for each blade. Collaborating with faculty researchers to develop novel testing methodologies for vertical lift systems. Implementing data acquisition systems to capture high-precision measurements of rotor performance under various conditions. Analyzing experimental results to identify optimal configurations for energy efficiency and thrust generation. Contributing to research papers and presentations that advance the understanding of coaxial rotor dynamics in next-generation aircraft designs.

Aerodynamics
MATLAB
Data Analysis
Fluid Dynamics
Vertical Lift Research Center of Excellence - Undergraduate Research Assistant
1/5
Coaxial Rotor Test Setup - Front View

Data Gathering, Mapping and Simulations Intern

May 2023 - July 2023

Tracasa

Used 3D objects to simulate point-cloud scenes in a virtual setting to perform analysis on potential drone paths, heights, speeds and LiDAR sensors. Analyzed data in C++, and input the converted usable data into Helios++ to simulate virtual landscapes. Selected a 3D model, converted it into a usable object, ran tests and simulations, and reported findings to the company. Developed custom algorithms to optimize drone flight paths for maximum data collection efficiency while minimizing battery consumption. Collaborated with an international team to implement point cloud processing techniques that improved data accuracy by 27%. Created comprehensive documentation for simulation procedures that became the standard reference for new team members. Participated in weekly technical meetings to present findings and coordinate with cross-functional teams across multiple countries. Assisted in the development of a machine learning approach to automatically classify terrain features from LiDAR data, significantly reducing manual processing time.

C++
Helios++
3D Modeling
LiDAR
Drone Path Planning
Tracasa - Data Gathering, Mapping and Simulations Intern
1/4
Auburn University Samford Hall LiDAR Point Cloud

Flight Test/Drone Analyst Intern

June 2022 - July 2022

Nightingale Security

Assisted the Flight Test team in running tests on security drones before shipping them to customers. Tested endurance and battery life, agility and individual rotor performance, navigation, flight distance and signal reception. Developed a portable battery replacement stand for the company in SolidWorks to enable battery changes in the field. Implemented standardized testing protocols that reduced pre-delivery quality assurance time by 15% while maintaining rigorous performance standards. Conducted comprehensive flight performance analysis under various environmental conditions, including high winds and low visibility scenarios. Collaborated with the engineering team to identify and resolve hardware issues affecting drone stability and control systems. Created detailed technical reports documenting test results and recommendations for product improvements. Participated in client demonstrations to showcase drone capabilities and explain technical specifications to potential customers. Contributed to the development of emergency response procedures for various drone malfunction scenarios.

Drone Testing
SolidWorks
Flight Analysis
Hardware Testing
Nightingale Security - Flight Test/Drone Analyst Intern
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Security Drone Model

Projects

Key projects and club activities I've been involved with.

LunaGuard - NASA Human Lander Challenge
1/2
Beta 1D Thermal Test

LunaGuard - NASA Human Lander Challenge

As Head Thermal Engineer, I led the team in developing a hybrid multi-material blanket to resist high-heat and propulsive forces of a Lunar Landing. Developed FEA in MATLAB for materials selection and created SolidWorks models for thermal analysis. Presented bi-yearly meetings with JPL and NASA. Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to integrate thermal protection systems with other lander components. Conducted extensive material testing to identify optimal combinations for heat resistance and durability under extreme conditions. Implemented innovative design solutions to address the unique challenges of lunar dust contamination and thermal cycling in the vacuum of space.

Thermal Engineering
MATLAB
SolidWorks
NASA
Materials Science
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Design, Build, Fly Competition

Design, Build, Fly Competition

Technical and Assembly Team Member for the 2024 AIAA DBF competition. Assisted the hardware team in soldering electrical components and assembling the fuselage, wings and other components. Contributed to design modifications that improved aircraft performance and reliability. Participated in test flights and performance analysis to optimize aircraft configuration. Our team placed 20th out of 107 national and international teams in the competition, demonstrating exceptional teamwork and engineering capabilities in a highly competitive environment.

Aircraft Design
Electronics
Assembly
Teamwork
Structural Dynamic Analysis of a Rocket
1/2
Displacement Analysis (disp_x)

Structural Dynamic Analysis of a Rocket

Used Structural Dynamics to analyze stress on a Rocket Body Engine under an 'earthquake' composed of harmonic loading in X, Y, and Z directions. Coded the solver in Python and ran it by accessing the Alabama Supercomputing Cluster. Developed custom code to model harmonic loading in multiple directions simultaneously. Implemented Python solver algorithms to process complex structural equations efficiently. Analyzed displacement and stress distribution patterns to identify critical structural vulnerabilities and proposed design modifications to enhance structural integrity under extreme conditions.

Python
Structural Analysis
Supercomputing
Rocket Design
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Failure Analysis of Pressure Vessel
1/2
Pressure Vessel Model

Failure Analysis of Pressure Vessel

Used Patran/Nastran to analyze failure points for a self-developed pressure vessel. Developed and redeveloped designs to create a suitable pressure vessel, demonstrating project development skills in the face of failures. Conducted iterative design processes to optimize vessel geometry and material selection. Performed comprehensive stress and thermal analysis under various operating conditions. Demonstrated systematic problem-solving approaches through multiple design iterations, ultimately creating a pressure vessel that exceeded safety requirements while minimizing weight and manufacturing complexity.

Patran/Nastran
Pressure Vessel Design
Failure Analysis
Engineering Design
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Skills

Technical skills and competencies I've developed through education and experience.

Programming Languages

Python
MATLAB
Java
C++

Engineering Software

SolidWorks
Patran/Nastran
VisIT
Helios++
CloudCompare

Development Tools

VS Code
LabView
Conda

Engineering Disciplines

Aerospace Engineering
Thermal Analysis
Structural Analysis
Fluid Dynamics
Drone Technology

Certifications

FAA Part 107 License

Get In Touch

Have a project in mind or want to discuss opportunities? Feel free to reach out.

Contact Information
Feel free to reach out through any of these channels.