Cole Rutkowski

cole.rutkowski@colorado.edu | (904) 610-8410 | Boulder, CO

PERSONAL PROFILE

  • Senior year Mechanical Engineering student with hands-on fabrication expertise and leadership experience in engineering projects. Passionate about designing and testing innovative solutions in mechanical systems and outdoor gear.

EDUCATION

MS in Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder
Graduation Date: May 2027

BS in Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder
Graduation Date: May 2026

  • GPA: 3.55
  • Extracurricular Courses: ACE CNC Machining Training, Welding, Machine Shop Safety and Technology, Operation of Universal Test Machines, 3-Week Bicycle Frame Building Class
  • Relevant Coursework: Dynamics, Thermodynamics, Materials Science, Solid Mechanics, Fluid Mechanics, Heat Transfer, Component Design, Manufacturing, Data Analysis, Computational Methods, System Dynamics, Design of Coffee, Feedback Control, Aesthetics of Design
  • Certifications: SolidWorks CAD Design Associate (CWSA), ACE CNC Machining Training Program

SKILLS

  • Fabrication: Lathes & Mills (300+hrs), MIG/TIG Welding (300+hrs), Brazing (50+hrs), Waterjet, 3D printing
  • Measurement Operations: Keyence CMM and MMS, Universal Testing Machine, Electron Microscopy, High Speed Cameras, Specific Gravity Balance, Torque Gauge
  • Software: SolidWorks, MasterCam, CAM+, Matlab, Python, C++, HTML, CSS, Microsoft Office, Excel

WORK EXPERIENCE

Research Technician, Granular Flow Lab at University of Colorado Boulder(January 2025 - Present)

  • Designed, manufactured, and assembled projects for rheology experiments, including a 3x3x3m T-slot frame to mount 150kg motor above experiment. Design was approved by a structural engineer.
  • Streamlined design for manufacturability and cost reduction of photoelastic-particle casting mold.
  • Produced 1m-diameter silicone gaskets for large rheometer experiment.

Machine Shop Assistant, Idea Forge at University of Colorado Boulder(September 2024 - January 2025)

  • Taught students in basic machining processes including lathes, mills, bandsaws, presses, and tool selection.
  • Instructed manufacturing and assembly of wobbler engines for class projects.

Quality Control Intern, Trelleborg Sealing Solutions Denver (June 2024 - August 2024)

  • Created detailed documentation for quality control processes, improving testing efficiency.
  • Designed and standardized procedures for torque, tensile strength, and hardness testing.

ENGINEERING EXPERIENCE

Senior Design (August 2025 - Present)

Baja SAE, Chassis and Manufacturing Engineer

  • Designed, engineered, built, tested, promoted and competed a single-seat all-terrain sporting vehicle.
  • Designed chassis and integrated subsystems within rule specifications.
  • Managed manufacturing reports, drawings, and schedule.

Class Project (August 2024 - December 2024)

Drill-Powered Tricycle

  • Designed, manufactured, and tested drill-powered tricycle for class competition. Set endurance competition record.
  • Managed project lifecycle, including design, welding, machining, and testing of the frame and drivetrain.
  • Welded frame components and machined adapters to optimize system performance.

Personal Project (September 2023 - Present)

Making and Testing Climbing Nuts, Hexes, and Cams

  • Machined custom components with waterjet, lathe, and mill from Aluminum 6061-T6
  • Researched mountaineer, homemade, and professionally-produced gear made between 1970 and present
  • Tested aircraft-cable extensions in tension machines
  • Fall tested new gear on real rock with increasingly large falls (30ft max)

EXTRACURRICULARS

  • Distance Running and Triathlon
  • Trad Climbing and Mountaineering