# Khushi Shah > Simulation Software Engineer I Reliable Robotics | MEng in Aerospace Engineering Systems & Controls Location: San Francisco Bay Area, United States Profile: https://flows.cv/khushi Hey, my name is Khushi. I’m currently a Simulation Software Engineer at Reliable Robotics in Mountain View, California, and I have a passion for modelling and simulations. No, that’s not just for LinkedIn—I genuinely enjoy the beautifully precise plots produced at the end of a good Monte Carlo. Driven by curiosity and precision, I specialize in applying modelling and simulation techniques to tackle complex aerospace and autonomous systems challenges. With a background in Systems and Controls, I’m passionate about using digital models to test, optimize, and validate system performance—long before anything hits the road or takes to the skies, and even in real time! My experience includes building dynamic vehicle models, simulating control systems, and working with tools like MATLAB/Simulink, Python, and ROS to explore everything from flight dynamics to autonomous vehicle behavior. I’m especially interested in how simulation can accelerate innovation in motorsports, autonomous driving, UAVs, and next-gen mobility. As an early-career professional, I’m eager to grow in a hands-on, collaborative environment where I can contribute to real-world projects and learn from experienced teams. Whether it's simulating a race car’s handling or refining an autonomous drone’s navigation system, I’m ready to dive in and make an impact. Let’s connect—I’m excited to explore where engineering and simulation can take us next. ## Work Experience ### Simulation Software Engineer @ Reliable Robotics Corporation Jan 2025 – Present | Mountain View, CA Simulating autonomous airplanes! ### Avionics Engineer I @ SpaceX Jan 2023 – Jan 2025 | Hawthorne, CA 1) Automated data reviews using Bayesian statistics to create confidence intervals using historic test data saving 50 labour hours/week. 2) Used OpenCV to scan for defects on solar cell EL images and built a PyQt5 app to make go/no-go decisions using historical data statistics. 3) Integrated internal systems in a chain of 27 SQL, HTTPS, and API queries along with low-level vendor software to automate end-of-line ATP testing leading to complete elimination of human error and 10% reduction in labor hours. 4) Created data models to track and predict labour hours across two production floors using SQL and PowerBI. 5) Designed PID loops in successive loop closure using ladder logic to tune a 3-axis CNC machine resulting in +/- 0.5mm^2 precision in end- effector placement. ### Associate Engineer - Post Grad @ SpaceX Jan 2023 – Jan 2023 | Hawthorne, California, United States ### Student Researcher - Autonomous Systems Lab @ UCSC Baskin School of Engineering Jan 2022 – Jan 2023 | Santa Cruz, California, United States • Designed an autopilot with a strong successive loop closure algorithm at its core in hopes to create a versatile controller that can be tuned to the vehicle constants of almost any RC aircraft. • Calculated the vehicle physical constants (lift and drag coefficients) of our test RC aircraft by processing raw test flight data through a converging aerodynamics model created using the AVL software. • Created a Gaussian Wind Model using a simple gaussian generator for estimating the time and intensity of the wind bursts. • Created a simulator using PyQt5 to assess the autopilot’s effectiveness with true and estimated states along with added wind and real- time human controls. ### Student Researcher - Teodorescu Lab @ UCSC Baskin School of Engineering Jan 2019 – Jan 2022 | Santa Cruz, California, United States Creating robust guidance systems for the purpose of stochastic motion planning in uncertain environments with the goal of gaining maximum information about said unknown environment. - Mapping out flavours and filters of the original RRT algorithm using MATLAB - Simulating solutions in different environments using Gazebo and ROS architectures. - Processing using Jetson Nano's Linux architecture for simulating real-flight computation power and runtimes. Visual SLAM techniques such as ORB SLAM as well as waypoints are used for localisation and flight controllers such as the PixHawk for control. These, along with our guidance algorithms provide the full GNC for the flight article. ### Starlink Engineering Intern @ SpaceX Jan 2022 – Jan 2022 | Hawthorne, California, United States Worked to build automation systems for the Starlink User Terminal with the goal of reaching 900UPH production rate. - Designed parts and production assemblies using NX for the purposes of rapid failure point testing. - Fabricated quick, high sampling rate PCB prototypes for testing processes with end-to-end continuity validation. - Worked with TwinCAT architecture to program PLCs for pneumatic actuator control resulting in a plug-and-play test setup. - Created a robust python script for data parsing which provides valuable system metrics from purely numerical data. - Collaborated with a team of 15 people along with global manufacturers throughout the process. ### Electrical Engineering Intern @ Armada Aeronautics Jan 2020 – Jan 2020 | Santa Clara County, California, United States Collaborated with the CTO and Founder of the company in order to make the test flights 13% more efficient through thorough data collection and clean presentation of telemetry output during test flights. Developed a PCB around the Raspberry Pi 4 and TS/RC832 Radio transmitter using Altium designer in order to provide video footage overlaid with telemetry data during test flights. Programmed the communication protocol using the Linux kernel and low-level Python programming. - Gained Altium Designer experience with designing high-level PCBs - Interfaced sensors with a motherboard and piped into a transmitter - Used the Linux kernel and Python ### Mechatronics Engineering Intern @ Lucid Drone Technologies, Inc. Jan 2020 – Jan 2020 | Fremont, California, United States Collaborated with a 3-person team, including one of the founders, to implement WiFi Broadcast transmission on the Jetson Nano for communicating the FPV live stream down to the transmitter allowing a flying range of up to 700 km. Constructed a custom radio controller for the cleaning drones using Raspberry Pi 3b+ and an NRF24L01 transmitter interfaced using low-level python programming resulting in a controller with less than 0.5 ms of latency. - Established a long-range wireless connection between the drone and the ground station through WiFi Broadcast - Communicated between Linux-based motherboards such as Raspberry Pi 3b+ and the Jetson Nano - Designed a custom transmitter for the drone using Solidworks ### 3D Printing Teaching Assistant @ University of California, Santa Cruz Jan 2020 – Jan 2020 | Santa Cruz, California, United States Taught several CAD Software such as Autodesk Inventor, Solidworks, and Fusion 360 through live demos with professors. ### Jr. Robotics Engineer @ Infostretch Jan 2018 – Jan 2018 | Santa Clara, California • Made a base hexagonal chassis with an extending single-axis arm operating on a continuous and configurable linear system. • The assembly was with wireless software. Made using Java and the Arduino IDE. ## Education ### Master of Engineering - MEng in Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering UCLA ### Bachelor of Engineering - BE in Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering University of California, Santa Cruz ### High School Diploma Mission San Jose High School ## Contact & Social - LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/q-khushishah --- Source: https://flows.cv/khushi JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/khushi/resume.json Last updated: 2026-04-10