Gabriel Kern

Project Manager @Scu Design, Build, Fly

Santa Clara, CA, US

Project manager leading a team of engineers for Santa Clara University’s Design, Build, Fly 2026Developed integrated conceptual design software, including a built-in vortex lattice method solver, a lap time simulator, a blade element momentum theory solver for propellers, a custom-built reinforcement learning agent and environment, and a covariance matrix adaptation evolutionary strategy (CMA-ES)Led assembly effort of first generation test kit plane, requiring particular wood fabrication techniquesGenerated comprehensive requirements matrix/spreadsheet from the rules for the AIAA Design/Build/Fly 20••••26 competitionExperience in wind-tunnel testing and data validationSpearheaded funding efforts to bring the team to competition