VTOL Aircraft Propulsion System
Designing a propulsion architecture for a conceptual VTOL aircraft, focusing on vertical lift stability and transition-readiness under strict packaging and mass constraints.
Aerospace Engineering Student
Miguel Angel Hurtado Gomez
Building reliable propulsion and autonomy systems with a systems-first engineering mindset.
About Me
Engineering Mindset,
Systems-First Execution.
I define the problem first, map constraints early, then iterate until performance is reliable under practical conditions. My strongest work sits at the intersection of propulsion, controls, and subsystem integration.
I prefer field-tested behavior over perfect simulation visuals, and I optimize for robust systems that remain stable when assumptions break.
Focus
Propulsion + Autonomy
Approach
Test, iterate, harden
Goal
Build reliable systems
Portfolio Highlights
Engineering Projects
Explore selected aerospace, robotics, and software work.
1/3
Flite – UAV Mission Planning Platform
Built a UAV mission planning platform during a hackathon, combining a React interface with geospatial route optimization for efficient path generation.
1/4
Project STORM – Robotic Arm System
Designed and integrated a 6-DOF robotic arm for a rover, focusing on payload capacity, joint alignment, and static stability for manipulation tasks.
VTOL Aircraft Propulsion System
Designing a propulsion architecture for a conceptual VTOL aircraft, focusing on vertical lift stability and transition-readiness under strict packaging and mass constraints.
1/3
Flite – UAV Mission Planning Platform
Built a UAV mission planning platform during a hackathon, combining a React interface with geospatial route optimization for efficient path generation.
1/4
Project STORM – Robotic Arm System
Designed and integrated a 6-DOF robotic arm for a rover, focusing on payload capacity, joint alignment, and static stability for manipulation tasks.
Hydrogen Propulsion Research (PERL Lab)
Contributing to hydrogen-fueled axial propulsion research at UCF PERL Lab, with an emphasis on combustion behavior, instrumentation, and system reliability.
1/4
Hydrogen Propulsion Research (PERL Lab)
Contributing to hydrogen-fueled axial propulsion research at UCF PERL Lab, with an emphasis on combustion behavior, instrumentation, and system reliability.
1/4
Core Skills
Engineering Capabilities
Design
Mechanical concept development, CAD assemblies, and packaging under geometric and mass constraints (SolidWorks, Fusion 360).
Simulation & Analysis
Numerical modeling for system behavior prediction, early-stage CFD trend analysis, and thermal/combustion diagnostic support.
Programming
Controls-oriented implementation in C/C++ and Arduino, analysis scripting, and web-based engineering tools with version-controlled workflows.
Systems Engineering
Subsystem interface definition, tradeoff-driven decision-making, sensor integration, and iterative test-to-redesign execution.
Timeline
Experience Timeline
Feb 2026 – Present
Undergraduate Researcher · PERL Lab, UCF
Hydrogen propulsion experiment support, combustion analysis, and thermal/system troubleshooting.
Jan 2026 – Present
Propulsion Team Lead · VTOL Aircraft, UCF JAS
Leading 6-member propulsion group for conceptual VTOL architecture and thrust vectoring design.
2025
Autonomous Boat + Project STORM + Flite
Delivered robotics and software systems with measurable outputs, including 200-ft autonomous navigation and an award-winning UAV planning prototype.
Let's Connect
Contact
I'm actively seeking internship opportunities with aerospace and high-performance engineering teams.