Craig "Duke" Smith
About
Aerospace Engineering & Data Science Engineering @ UCLA
When I’m not working or studying, you can find me cooking, watching football, playing some video games, or at the gym.
Education
BS, Aerospace Engineering
Highest
2024 - Present
UCLA
Los Angeles
Minor in Data Science Engineering. Bruin Formula Racing (FSAE), AIAA Member, Bruin AI Research Club
BS, Aerospace Engineering
Highest
2024 - Present
UCLA
Los Angeles
Minor in Data Science Engineering. Bruin Formula Racing (FSAE), AIAA Member, Bruin AI Research Club
BS, Aerospace Engineering
Highest
2024 - Present
UCLA
Los Angeles
Minor in Data Science Engineering. Bruin Formula Racing (FSAE), AIAA Member, Bruin AI Research Club
Proficiencies
Languages &
Software
SolidWorks
Ansys Mechanical
STAR-CCM+
Simulink
Fusion 360
AutoCAD
MATLAB
Python (NumPy, SciPy, Pandas, Streamlit)
C++ (STL, Eigen)
Git
Linux
Arduino
Excel
Technical Skills
CNC Machining (Mill, Lathe)
Composite Layup (Wet, Dry Carbon Fiber)
3D Printing
Soldering
Laser Cutting
ASME Y14.5 GD&T
Preventative Maintenance
Flight Data Analysis
Prototyping and Testing Procedures
Interpersonal
Conversational Spanish
Project Management
Experience
Aerodynamics Engineer
Current
Oct 2025 - Present
Los Angeles, CA
Bruin Formula Racing
Increased full-vehicle downforce by 6% by designing bargeboard and sidepod geometry in SolidWorks and conducting CFD trade studies in STAR-CCM+ validated with Ansys FEA. Fabricated 15+ carbon fiber components and CNC machined aluminum and steel structural members, producing ASME Y14.5 drawings and BOMs for composite, machining, and additive processes.
Aerodynamics Engineer
Current
Oct 2025 - Present
Los Angeles, CA
Bruin Formula Racing
Increased full-vehicle downforce by 6% by designing bargeboard and sidepod geometry in SolidWorks and conducting CFD trade studies in STAR-CCM+ validated with Ansys FEA. Fabricated 15+ carbon fiber components and CNC machined aluminum and steel structural members, producing ASME Y14.5 drawings and BOMs for composite, machining, and additive processes.
Aerodynamics Engineer
Current
Oct 2025 - Present
Los Angeles, CA
Bruin Formula Racing
Increased full-vehicle downforce by 6% by designing bargeboard and sidepod geometry in SolidWorks and conducting CFD trade studies in STAR-CCM+ validated with Ansys FEA. Fabricated 15+ carbon fiber components and CNC machined aluminum and steel structural members, producing ASME Y14.5 drawings and BOMs for composite, machining, and additive processes.
Recreational Maintenance Tech
Current
2025 - Present
Los Angeles
UCLA Recreation
Diagnose and repair 200+ pieces of fitness, HVAC, and facility equipment across 5 campus recreation centers, maintaining same-week resolution for all service requests. Analyze failure trends from service logs and develop maintenance schedules and troubleshooting flowcharts to address recurring root causes.
Recreational Maintenance Tech
Current
2025 - Present
Los Angeles
UCLA Recreation
Diagnose and repair 200+ pieces of fitness, HVAC, and facility equipment across 5 campus recreation centers, maintaining same-week resolution for all service requests. Analyze failure trends from service logs and develop maintenance schedules and troubleshooting flowcharts to address recurring root causes.
Recreational Maintenance Tech
Current
2025 - Present
Los Angeles
UCLA Recreation
Diagnose and repair 200+ pieces of fitness, HVAC, and facility equipment across 5 campus recreation centers, maintaining same-week resolution for all service requests. Analyze failure trends from service logs and develop maintenance schedules and troubleshooting flowcharts to address recurring root causes.
Housing Manager
Current
Sept 2025 - Present
Los Angeles, CA
Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity
Managed $20K annual facilities budget and completed 6 improvement projects in 5 months, creating study, interview, and network rooms serving 40+ residents across a 7,500 sq ft facility.
Housing Manager
Current
Sept 2025 - Present
Los Angeles, CA
Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity
Managed $20K annual facilities budget and completed 6 improvement projects in 5 months, creating study, interview, and network rooms serving 40+ residents across a 7,500 sq ft facility.
Housing Manager
Current
Sept 2025 - Present
Los Angeles, CA
Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity
Managed $20K annual facilities budget and completed 6 improvement projects in 5 months, creating study, interview, and network rooms serving 40+ residents across a 7,500 sq ft facility.
Mechanical Engineering Intern
June 2024 - Sept 2024
Monterey, CA
Monterey Peninsula College
Created a new robotics design challenge for the engineering curriculum, designing and fabricating a sub-$50 RC robot and test arena across 3 iterations using SolidWorks, CNC milling, and microcontrollers. Authored assembly procedures, test protocols, and lessons-learned documentation adopted by the college for ongoing student design competitions.
Mechanical Engineering Intern
June 2024 - Sept 2024
Monterey, CA
Monterey Peninsula College
Created a new robotics design challenge for the engineering curriculum, designing and fabricating a sub-$50 RC robot and test arena across 3 iterations using SolidWorks, CNC milling, and microcontrollers. Authored assembly procedures, test protocols, and lessons-learned documentation adopted by the college for ongoing student design competitions.
Mechanical Engineering Intern
June 2024 - Sept 2024
Monterey, CA
Monterey Peninsula College
Created a new robotics design challenge for the engineering curriculum, designing and fabricating a sub-$50 RC robot and test arena across 3 iterations using SolidWorks, CNC milling, and microcontrollers. Authored assembly procedures, test protocols, and lessons-learned documentation adopted by the college for ongoing student design competitions.
Recording Studio Designer
Jan 2024 - Sept 2024
Carmel Valley, CA
Self-employed
Designed and installed a 400 sq ft A/V studio with custom 3D-printed mounts for 30+ components, cutting setup time from 45 to 15 minutes and increasing usable floor space by 50%.
Recording Studio Designer
Jan 2024 - Sept 2024
Carmel Valley, CA
Self-employed
Designed and installed a 400 sq ft A/V studio with custom 3D-printed mounts for 30+ components, cutting setup time from 45 to 15 minutes and increasing usable floor space by 50%.
Recording Studio Designer
Jan 2024 - Sept 2024
Carmel Valley, CA
Self-employed
Designed and installed a 400 sq ft A/V studio with custom 3D-printed mounts for 30+ components, cutting setup time from 45 to 15 minutes and increasing usable floor space by 50%.
Hotel Maintenance Tech
Aug 2020 - Aug 2024
Monterey, CA
The Stevenson Monterey
Performed plumbing, HVAC, electrical, and IT maintenance for a 51-room hotel. Upgraded POS, reservation, and keycard systems, reducing average customer check-in wait time from 10 to 5 minutes.
Hotel Maintenance Tech
Aug 2020 - Aug 2024
Monterey, CA
The Stevenson Monterey
Performed plumbing, HVAC, electrical, and IT maintenance for a 51-room hotel. Upgraded POS, reservation, and keycard systems, reducing average customer check-in wait time from 10 to 5 minutes.
Hotel Maintenance Tech
Aug 2020 - Aug 2024
Monterey, CA
The Stevenson Monterey
Performed plumbing, HVAC, electrical, and IT maintenance for a 51-room hotel. Upgraded POS, reservation, and keycard systems, reducing average customer check-in wait time from 10 to 5 minutes.
craigdukesmith@gmail.com