About Me

Vu Truong

I am a Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Maryland with experience in CAD, rapid prototyping, hardware integration, testing, and hands-on problem solving. My work spans mechanical design, real hardware development, and autonomous systems software, including hands-on integration between hardware, sensing, controls, and code. These skills transfer across product development, manufacturing, mechatronics, test engineering, field engineering, and robotics roles.

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Vu Truong headshot

Core Skills

Mechanical Design

CAD, component design, assemblies, fit checks, design iteration, and prototype development.

Prototyping

3D printing, soldering, wiring, assembly, fit-checking, and hands-on testing of prototype hardware.

Systems & Testing

Subsystem integration, bench testing, field testing, troubleshooting, documentation, and iterative improvement.

Hardware Integration

Mechanical assemblies, electrical hardware, sensors, wiring, packaging, troubleshooting, and system-level fitment.

Projects

Main aircraft photo
assets/muas.jpg
CAD / airframe screenshot
assets/muas-2.jpg
Assembly / wiring photo
assets/muas-3.jpg
Maryland Unmanned Aerial Systems | Team Captain

Autonomous Aircraft Development for RoboNation SUAS

Lead work with Maryland Unmanned Aerial Systems, a student engineering team developing an autonomous aircraft for the RoboNation SUAS competition. Responsibilities include coordinating technical progress, supporting mechanical and airframe work, and helping connect mechanical, electrical, and software subteam efforts.

The project involves real hardware development, mechanical packaging constraints, payload considerations, sensor integration, documentation, and testing preparation.

CAD Airframe Hardware Integration Autonomous Systems Team Leadership
View project details

MUAS is a student-run engineering team focused on designing, building, integrating, and testing a competition aircraft for the RoboNation SUAS competition. My work spans technical leadership, mechanical planning, subsystem coordination, integration support, and helping the team move from design decisions to real hardware.

My Role

  • Coordinate weekly technical progress across mechanical, electrical, and software efforts.
  • Support airframe configuration decisions and hardware integration planning.
  • Help translate competition requirements into aircraft subsystem priorities.
  • Work with team members on fit checks, assembly planning, testing readiness, and documentation.

Relevant Skills

  • Mechanical design and CAD-based iteration.
  • Subsystem integration and packaging constraints.
  • Test planning, documentation, and field-readiness preparation.
  • Technical communication across multidisciplinary teams.
Main drone / payload photo
assets/crossfire.jpg
Payload / mechanism photo
assets/crossfire-2.jpg
Testing / field photo
assets/crossfire-3.jpg
UMD xFoundry Crossfire | Wildfire Response

Autonomous Drone Development for Wildfire Response

Worked as part of the Crossfire team on hardware and system development for wildfire response applications. The project involves integrating mechanical hardware, sensing, autonomy, and payload concepts into a system intended to operate in real field conditions.

This work strengthened my experience with mechanical integration, payload concepts, field-focused design, testing preparation, and coordination across mechanical, electrical, software, and perception-related requirements.

PX4 ROS2 Payload Design Field Testing Hardware Integration
View project details

Crossfire is focused on wildfire response technology, combining hardware, sensing, autonomy, and payload deployment concepts. My contribution is centered around connecting mechanical hardware decisions with system-level requirements, testing needs, and practical integration constraints.

My Role

  • Support mechanical integration for payload-related and system hardware.
  • Work with sensing, autonomy, and packaging requirements when considering hardware layout.
  • Assist with system-level planning for deployment, testing, and operation in field conditions.
  • Contribute to testing preparation and practical design decisions around real hardware constraints.

Relevant Skills

  • System integration across mechanical, electrical, and software requirements.
  • Payload integration and mechanical packaging.
  • Field testing mindset for systems operating outside lab conditions.
  • Cross-functional collaboration with software, perception, and hardware contributors.
Main robot / system photo
assets/frostbyte.jpg
CAD / chassis screenshot
assets/frostbyte-2.jpg
Assembly / subsystem photo
assets/frostbyte-3.jpg
Senior Design Capstone Project

FrostByte | Autonomous Snow Removal Robot

FrostByte is a senior design capstone project focused on developing an autonomous sidewalk snow removal robot. My work has mainly focused on hardware integration and testing, including bringing together the drivetrain, sensors, power system, and control hardware into a working platform.

I have also been working with ArduPilot for the robot’s autonomy stack, helping connect hardware and software so the system can support navigation, control, and real-world testing in outdoor conditions.

ArduPilot Hardware Integration Testing Controls Autonomous Systems
View project details

FrostByte is a senior design capstone project centered on building an autonomous snow removal robot for sidewalk clearing. My main contributions have been in hardware integration and testing, including assembling and connecting the robot’s subsystems and working with ArduPilot to support autonomous operation.

My Role

  • Integrated drivetrain, power, control, and sensing hardware into the robot platform.
  • Worked with ArduPilot to support the robot’s autonomy, control, and system communication.
  • Helped test and troubleshoot subsystem connections, hardware behavior, and overall system operation.
  • Supported iteration of the robot setup based on integration issues, testing results, and real operating constraints.

Transferable Skills

  • Hardware integration across mechanical, electrical, and control systems.
  • Hands-on testing and troubleshooting of real robotic hardware.
  • Experience working with ArduPilot for autonomous ground vehicle operation.
  • System-level thinking under packaging, environmental, and reliability constraints.
Complete BOZOPAD BOZOPAD PCB
Assembly Instructions
assets/MKC_Bozopad_Guide.pdf
Personal Project

//BOZOPAD//

BOZOPAD was a personal hardware project focused on designing a small, functional input device from the ground up. The project included PCB design, firmware setup, enclosure design, soldering, assembly, and testing.

This project helped me practice the full hardware development process, from design and part selection to assembly, testing, troubleshooting, and documentation.

KiCAD PCB Design Electronics Firmware
View project details

Designed and built a custom 4x3 macropad, including a through-hole PCB, firmware (QMK), and a housing enclosure. Co-developed assembly documentation to support the build process.

My Role

  • Designed the through-hole PCB in KiCAD.
  • Set up and tested QMK firmware for the macropad layout.
  • Integrated the PCB, switches, keycaps, and housing enclosure into a complete device.
  • Supported assembly documentation for the build process.

Transferable Skills

  • PCB design and electronics assembly.
  • Firmware setup and hardware troubleshooting.
  • Designing around fitment, assembly, and usability constraints.
  • Documenting a build process clearly for others to follow.
Assembly Instructions View PDF

Contact

Interested in mechanical design, product development, prototyping, manufacturing, test engineering, mechatronics, robotics, and hardware and software integration roles.

Email: vuqtruongedu@gmail.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/vu-qtruong

Location: Beltsville, MD

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