Aerospace Engineer · MS Candidate 2026

Jake
Davies

MS candidate at Auburn University researching some of the most extreme propulsion environments in aerospace. Building simulation tools for Formula One on the side, because the physics of going fast doesn't stop at the atmosphere.

CFD visualization
3
Publications
50+
Hot-fire tests
2026
Available
About

Built for pressure

I grew up obsessed with two things: going fast and making things work under pressure. Rockets satisfied the first. Formula 1 satisfies both.

I'm an MS candidate at Auburn University completing my degree in late 2026. My research centers on, rotating detonation rocket engines (RDREs), one of the most demanding propulsion environments in aerospace research, conducted in collaboration with NASA Marshall Space Flight Center.

Before Auburn, I earned my BS from USC, where I was project leader in the undergraduate rocket propulsion lab that achieved the first amateur rocket space shot. Engineering has always been a team sport for me, from three years captaining a FIRST Robotics team to collaborative research environments today.

Institution
Auburn University — MS Aerospace Engineering
Undergraduate
University of Southern California — BS Aerospace Engineering
Research focus
Rotating Detonation Rocket Engines Acoustic Mode Analysis
Location
Open to relocation
Available
June 2026 or January 2027
Work

Selected projects

01
Personal Project · 2026–Present

F1 Race Strategy Simulator

Physics-informed Monte Carlo race strategy simulator modeling the probabilistic decision space of Formula One. Tire degradation physics, VSC/safety car logic, DNF reliability model, and the full 2026 calendar. Live and in active development.

Python Streamlit Monte Carlo Tire Modeling Plotly
Live →
02
Graduate Research · Auburn / NASA MSFC · 2024–2026

Augmented Spark Igniter Design & Test

Designed, built, and tested a modular ASI for RDRE applications. Interchangeable choked orifices independently control mass ratio and chamber pressure from a shared supply. 30 tests, zero hardware failures. Published and presentedat AIAA SciTech 2026.

SolidWorks LabVIEW NASA CEA REFPROP MATLAB
03
Graduate Coursework · Auburn · 2025

CFD — Shock-Bubble Interaction

2D compressible Euler solver implemented from scratch in Python. Captures Richtmyer-Meshkov instability growth, shock transmission through a density interface, and full crescent deformation of the bubble. RK4 time integration with artificial viscosity stabilization.

Python NumPy 2D Euler RK4 Compressible Flow
04
Graduate Research · Auburn / NASA MSFC · 2025–Present

RDRE Acoustic Mode Analysis

Pressure acoustics eigenfrequency model in COMSOL capturing coupled manifold-injector-chamber acoustic modes. Multi-type mesh strategy across geometric regions. Objective statistical method for automated acoustic wave classification. ITAR-controlled results.

COMSOL Pressure Acoustics Eigenfrequency Modal Analysis
05
Undergraduate Research · USC / Exquadrum / AFRL · 2021–2022

Low Temperature Solid Propellant Characterization

Experimental characterization of 7 AP composite solid propellant formulations at −50°C. Cryogenic tensile testing across curative type and solids loading variables. IPDITMP at 89% solids loading identified as highest-strength formulation. Published and presented at AIAA Aviation Forum 2022.

MATLAB LabVIEW NI DAQ ASTM Testing
Capabilities

Technical skills

Simulation & Analysis
  • COMSOL Multiphysics
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics
  • ANSYS Structural FEA
  • Cantera
  • NASA CEA / REFPROP
Programming & Data
  • Python
  • MATLAB
  • Machine Learning / Neural Networks
  • HPC (Auburn Easley Cluster)
  • LaTeX
Design & Lab
  • SolidWorks / Siemens NX
  • LabVIEW / NI DAQ
  • 3D Printing / CNC Machining
  • Mill / Lathe
  • Microsoft Office
Motorsport Focus
  • Race Strategy Simulation
  • Experimental Testing
  • Tire Degradation Modeling
  • Aerodynamic CFD
  • Performance Engineering
Research

Publications & presentations

2026
AIAA SciTech 2026 — First author, presented
2022
AIAA Aviation Forum 2022 — Barnhart, Bacher, Davies et al., presented
2022
AIAA Student Conference Region VI — Third place, presented
Contact
If you're building something fast, in the air or on the track, I want to be part of it.