Hey there! I'm Sam Erjavec, a second-year mechanical engineering student at the University of Waterloo. 

Some of my main interests include the aerospace, additive manufacturing,  automotive, and automation industries, but I'm constantly on the lookout for new things that I could see myself pursuing a career in. I have always enjoyed learning about design and machinery, learning the basics of Autodesk Inventor and purchasing my first 3D printer when I was 12 years old. My current experience covers mechanical design in an automation and industrial context, strong SolidWorks skills, GD&T principles, process documentation, creating hand calculations adhering to applicable standards, as well as SolidWorks FEA experience. Outside of school, I enjoy getting involved in volleyball and basketball intramurals, hiking, reading, and designing small 3D-printable projects.

Payload Team Member

LiftWerx                       May 2025 - August 2025

• Led conceptual design for a crane interface for gearbox exchanges (>20000 kg) compatible with both GE 2.3 MW and 2.8 MW wind turbines, creating unique SolidWorks models leveraging 3D scan data to enable precise up tower integration. 

• Developed original Mathcad calculation packages applying static and dynamic principles for collisions while hoisting payloads and non-standard loading conditions, ensuring compliance with EN 13001 and ASME BTH-1-2023 design standards. 

• Conducted field visits to multiple wind turbine sites across North America, collecting critical measurements and operator feedback to implement into new interface design and quality of life enhancement requests. 

Payload Team Member

Waterloo Rocketry                   September 2024 - May 2025

• Operating as the lead designer of the shock absorbing system to protect a hyperspectral camera from a 5.8 km drop, which disconnects from the main body of the rocket at the peak of flight.

Process Engineering Intern

LiftWerx                                                                                                                                 September 2024 - December 2024

• Created and modified work procedures and documentation to accurately lay out the process of large component exchanges on wind turbines by visiting multiple turbine sites in North America and manipulating SolidWorks models.

• Independently designed multiple small tooling projects in SolidWorks, ensuring practicality and ease of manufacturability to minimize up-tower lifts and overall job length.

• Produced a dimensionally accurate and detailed wind turbine nacelle in SolidWorks by referencing a 3D scan to aid with future design projects and provide procedure graphics to field technicians.

Mechanical Design Intern

Ramp Inc.                                                                                                                                                   January 2024 - April 2024

• Led mechanical design on a $120 000, 1000+ component robot that assembles a portion of the adaptive cruise control system for a popular Japanese car manufacturer. System included an electric actuator, several sensors, machined components, and a weldment frame. Responsibilities included component design and drawing creation in SolidWorks, producing subassemblies and an overall assembly, conducting internal and external design reviews, and managing the project schedule.

• Acted as the assistant designer on a $1 000 000 contract by designing job-specific subassemblies that took advantage of pneumatics and various types of sensors, as well as creating detail packages in SolidWorks and applying GD&T principles to streamline the mechanical design process for the lead engineer.

Product Designer (contract)

Practice PPE Exams                                                                                                                      February 2024 - March 2024

• Designed a range of unique 3D printable gifts under specific size and weight constraints using SolidWorks to deliver to clients upon achieving their P. Eng.

• Maintained strong communication with the employer over the duration of the contract through emails and weekly meetings to ensure the project was to their specifications and completed on time.