— 00 PORTFOLIO

Lana
Kader

Mechanical Engineering student at Boston University — designing, building, and optimizing systems from the ground up.
CAD · Prototyping · Electromechanical Systems · Generative AI · Human-Centered Design
[email protected]
6+
Projects Built
3+
Years Experience
BU
Boston University
01 ABOUT

Engineering meets
design thinking.

I'm a Mechanical Engineering student at Boston University with a deep passion for building things that work — and work beautifully. Growing up dirt biking and performing mechanical repairs gave me an intuitive understanding of how systems behave under real-world conditions, long before I ever opened a CAD program.

My work spans electromechanical systems, rapid prototyping, and embedded control — from a joystick-controlled Pac-Man gantry to a motor-driven dynamic stability platform. I approach every project as a design problem: understanding constraints, exploring the solution space, and iterating until the result is both functional and considered.

As an Autodesk Design & Make Ambassador and Engineering Consultant at BU, I've learned that the best designs emerge at the intersection of technical rigor and human empathy. I'm seeking to bring that perspective to a multidisciplinary design team.

"Seeking to apply engineering and analytical skills across consulting and multidisciplinary teams — exactly the kind of environment PA Consulting's Boston design studio creates."

Education
B.S. Mechanical Engineering
Boston University · May 2027
Location
Boston, MA
Available for in-person internship
Core Tools
SolidWorks · Onshape · Arduino
CAD, simulation, embedded systems
Superpower
Mechanical Intuition
Built from years of dirt biking & repairs
02 PROJECTS

Built from scratch.
Measured with data.

KEY METRICS
2.4 m/s
Gantry Speed
±2mm
Precision
8 weeks
Build Time
Gantry Speed2.4 m/s
Precision±2mm
Build Time8 weeks
Mechatronics · Motion Control · 3D Printing

Joystick-Controlled Pac-Man Cartesian Motion System

A 2.5 DOF belt-driven XY gantry system built from 8020 aluminum extrusion and controlled via Arduino Mega. The end effector is a 3D-printed Pac-Man figure with a servo-driven chomping jaw. A dual-gantry ghost system uses neodymium magnets under a laser-cut acrylic maze board.

KEY OUTCOMEInteractive physical game demonstrating full mechatronic integration.
Arduino Mega3D Printing8020 ExtrusionLaser CuttingC/C++Servo Control
KEY METRICS
2.2 lbs
Max Load
94%
Stability Margin
12
Dev Iterations
Max Load2.2 lbs
Stability Margin94%
Dev Iterations12
Control Systems · SolidWorks · Fabrication

Motor Speed Control & Dynamic Stability Platform

A motor-driven platform designed to transport a 1-foot vertical bar across a 5–10 foot track without toppling. Stability conditions and optimal acceleration profiles were simulated in SolidWorks Motion. Closed-loop speed control implemented on Arduino UNO with 12V gear motor.

KEY OUTCOMESimulation-validated control system achieving 94% stability margin.
SolidWorks MotionArduino UNO3D PrintingClosed-Loop Control12V Gear Motor
KEY METRICS
12%
Lap Time Reduction
47
Test Runs
8
Variables Tracked
Lap Time Reduction12%
Test Runs47
Variables Tracked8
Data Analysis · Systems Thinking · Human-Centered

KTM Dirt Bike Performance Optimization Study

A self-directed performance study tracking suspension setup, tire pressure, gearing ratios, and engine tuning across repeated test runs. Built a personal dataset to identify configurations that maximized speed and handling, reducing lap times by ~12%.

KEY OUTCOMEData-driven optimization framework achieving 12% performance improvement.
Data CollectionPerformance AnalysisSystems OptimizationIterative Testing

Additional Work

04

Autonomous Line-Following Car

Autonomous vehicle using DC motor, IR line sensors, ultrasonic sensor, and Arduino Uno. Designed state machine and transition algorithm. Built chassis in Onshape with laser-cut components.

4 Sensors · 3 States · 0.8m/s Speed
ArduinoIR SensorsState MachineOnshape
05

VR Headset Design

Functioning VR headset optimized for screen placement, weight balance, and accessibility across different head shapes. Focused on ergonomic fit and wearability.

5 Iterations · 180° FOV · 280g Weight
Inventor AutoCADErgonomicsCAD
06

Temperature Sensor & Alert System

Room temperature monitor with alert system using TMP36 sensor, LCD screen, LEDs, and buzzer. CAD housing in Onshape, soldered circuit, and programmed threshold alerts.

±0.5°C Accuracy · 5 Alerts · 48h Battery
ArduinoElectronicsOnshapeEmbedded C
03 SKILLS

Tools of the trade.
Applied with purpose.

CAD & 3D Modeling

SolidWorks90%
Onshape88%
Inventor AutoCAD82%
SolidWorks Motion (Simulation)78%

Fabrication & Prototyping

3D Printing92%
Laser Cutting88%
Machining & Drilling80%
Soldering & Electronics82%

Programming & Embedded

Arduino / C/C++85%
Python78%
MATLAB75%
Fusion 360 / Generative Design72%

Design & Communication

Technical Documentation88%
Sketching & Ideation80%
Client Presentations85%
Design for Manufacturing (DFM)80%
ADDITIONAL CAPABILITIES
Problem SolvingCross-disciplinary CollaborationIterative PrototypingData-Driven AnalysisTechnical CommunicationHuman-Centered DesignGenerative AI (Midjourney / Vizcom)Arabic (Native)
PA CONSULTING ALIGNMENT

Proficient in SolidWorks and Onshape (KeyShot rendering in progress), with hands-on experience in 3D printing, laser cutting, and iterative prototyping. Active interest in Generative AI applications including Midjourney and Vizcom for design exploration. Autodesk Design & Make Ambassador with expertise in Fusion 360 Generative Design and CAM workflows.

04 EXPERIENCE

Where I've worked.
What I've contributed.

INDUSTRY

Design and Make Student Ambassador

Autodesk
January 2026 – Present
  • Selected to drive adoption of Autodesk's Design and Make platform, demonstrating CAD-to-physical-production workflows
  • Technical consultant for engineering peers — troubleshooting Fusion 360 modeling challenges and advising on manufacturability across 30+ sessions
  • Facilitated hands-on workshops for 50+ students on Generative Design and CAM methodologies
↳ PA FITDirect alignment with PA Consulting's design-to-manufacture pipeline and Generative AI interest
CONSULTING

Engineering Consultant

BU Engineering Clinic for Product Design
February – March 2026
  • Technical advisor for 3 Questrom School of Business development teams, bridging product ideation and engineering feasibility
  • Analyzed product concepts for technical merit — material selection, fabrication methods, and DFM guidance
  • Translated engineering constraints into actionable business insights for 3 investor pitches
↳ PA FITMirrors PA Consulting's cross-disciplinary model: strategists + engineers + designers working together
EDUCATION

Teaching Assistant — Intro to Engineering EK131

Boston University
September 2025 – Present
  • Assisting in delivering course material to 200+ students per semester in engineering design, MATLAB, and lab activities
  • Weekly office hours supporting student learning and course optimization
  • Collaborating with faculty to facilitate a productive, inclusive classroom environment
↳ PA FITDemonstrates communication skills and ability to explain complex engineering concepts clearly
RESEARCH

Intern

Institute of Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC)
May–Aug 2022 · Jun–Sep 2024
  • Researched hardware, software, and equipment requirements for motion capture systems
  • Designed and prototyped components for cybersecurity and pneumatics design projects
  • Assisted in research on a PhD exoskeleton project
↳ PA FITResearch-grade prototyping and human-machine interface design experience
EDUCATION

B.S. Mechanical Engineering

Boston University
Expected May 2027
RELEVANT COURSEWORK
Engineering DesignCAD and Machine ComponentsMaterials ScienceManufacturing ProcessesElectromechanical DesignSoftware EngineeringBusiness of Technology InnovationStrategy for Technology Based Firms
05 CONTACT

Let's build
something together.

I'm actively seeking the PA Consulting Industrial Design Internship for May 2026 in Boston. I bring mechanical engineering rigor, hands-on prototyping experience, and a genuine passion for human-centered design to every project.

APPLYING TO
PA Consulting — Industrial Design Intern
Tower Point, 6th Floor · 27-43 Wormwood Street · Boston, MA 02210
SEND AN EMAIL