Mechatronic Systems Engineering Student

Matthew Nikolic

BASc in Mechatronic Systems Engineering, Simon Fraser University (Sep. 2023 – Apr. 2028)

I'm a Mechatronic Systems Engineering student at Simon Fraser University. I design actuators and mechanisms in SolidWorks and Inventor, fabricate parts with 3D printing and CNC, and bring systems up with motors, sensors, and embedded control. I did a co-op at BC Hydro, co-founded Otis Dynamics, and led projects that placed in the FAS Competition and class robot contests.

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Experience

Jun. 2026 – Present
Burnaby, BC
Co-Founder · Mechanical Design Lead
Otis Dynamics
- Co-founded an early-stage robotics startup developing a mobile dual-arm robot for autonomous retail shelf stocking; defined requirements and actuator architecture for a 7-DOF, 650 mm-reach robotic arm.
- Evaluated integrated quasi-direct-drive, frameless BLDC, and custom geared actuator concepts across torque density, control hardware, encoders, thermal limits, manufacturability, cost, and supplier risk.
- Developed mechanical, 48V power, CAN, safety, BOM, and staged validation plans for single-joint and full-arm prototypes.
May 2025 – Jan. 2026
Burnaby, BC
Mechanical CADD Drafter Co-op
BC Hydro
- Produced and revised 300+ drawings and 3D models in AutoCAD and Inventor for generating stations.
- Prepared shop-ready fabrication and installation drawings to support field execution and equipment installation.
- Modeled steel structural assemblies from on-site imagery as 3D references for later work.
- Developed plan view layouts and inspection drawings by translating survey data into UTM coordinates referenced to the NAD 83 datum.
May 2025 – May 2026
Surrey, BC
Co-President
SFU Mechatronic Systems Engineering Student Society
- Lead a 17-member executive team, managing a $50,000+ budget and organizing the largest Faculty of Applied Science events for 600+ Mechatronics students.
Jul. – Aug. 2023
Delta, BC
CNC Machine Operator
Modern Engineering
- Operated 5-axis CNC mills and lathes, producing 50+ parts per day in a manufacturing environment.
- Performed machine maintenance and part finishing, including coolant service, bench grinding, and ultrasonic cleaning.
- Inspected 20+ parts daily, verifying tolerances within ±0.002″ to ensure consistent part quality.

Skills

Mechanical

Actuator & transmission design, DFM/DFA, root-cause analysis

Fabrication

3D printing, CNC mill/lathe, CAD/CAM, GD&T, prototype assembly

Electrical

Motor/servo control, sensor interfacing, wiring, bench instrumentation

Software

SolidWorks, Inventor, AutoCAD, MATLAB, Python, C/C++, Arduino

Projects

Mar. 2026·3rd Place · FAS Competition

SFU FAS Competition 2026: Jellyfish Umbrella

Jellyfish-inspired kinetic umbrella with 8 articulated tentacles driven by dual-servo cable actuation, ESP32 control, and modular 3D-printed segments.

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