Ari Howard

Ari
Howard

Aeronautical and astronautical engineering student at the University of Washington. I design propulsion hardware, from valves to engines, and build it to be tested.

View resume

Program
B.S. Aeronautical & Astronautical Engineering
Minor
Business Administration
School
University of Washington, Seattle
Graduating
June 2028

Projects

Hardware I've designed, built, or tested. Select any image to enlarge it.

Liquid rocket engine

Personal project, team lead, September 2025 to present

A LOX and ethanol engine I started designing on my own. It has since grown into a collaborative effort, and I lead a small team of students building it.

I developed the CAD models, pintle injector geometry, and combustion chamber components, using simulation to guide the sizing.

In development
Design targets
Propellants
FuelEthanol (95% ethanol, 5% water)
OxidizerLiquid oxygen
Mixture ratio (O/F)≈ 1.1
InjectorPintle
Performance
Thrust≈ 300 lbf
Chamber pressure≈ 150 psi
Specific impulse≈ 250 s
CoolingHeatsink and ablative
SolidWorks cross-section of a copper-lined liquid rocket engine held between two flanges by tie rods
Pintle injectorLOX and 95% ethanol, O/F ≈ 1.1
Combustion chamber≈ 150 psi, heatsink and ablative cooling
Tie rodsClamp the flanged assembly
Converging-diverging nozzle≈ 300 lbf target thrust
Liquid rocket engine, cross-section
Isometric view of the full assembly

Servo-actuated main run valves

Society of Advanced Rocket Propulsion (SARP) at UW, 2026

I designed, simulated, and manufactured the servo-actuated ball valves that serve as the main propellant valves on SARP's Domecracker bipropellant rocket.

A trade study and flow analysis validated operation up to about 1,000 psi. The design went through three versions, and V3 is now in actuation testing.

≈ 1,000 psiValidated operating pressure
3 versionsIterated to flight design
DomecrackerFlight vehicle
V1
V2
V3
V3 in actuation testing

Wave energy converter structures

Washington Wave, November 2025 to present

Structural design for a prototype wave energy converter, including the test structure that mounts it in UW's Harris Hydraulics Lab wave pool.

I evaluate design configurations for strength, stability, and manufacturability in a marine environment, and I'm working to characterize the forces on the device and estimate the energy potential of a full-scale model. The team competes in the U.S. Department of Energy's Marine Energy Collegiate Competition.

Roller carriage on the test structure rail
Prototype, section view
Prototype hull

Prosthetic hand

Group project, winter quarter 2025

A prototype prosthetic hand designed for a design competition. We took it from a first CAD concept through a refined second version, then 3D printed and wired a working prototype with servo-driven fingers.

Prototype, fingers and servo wiring
Prototype, full hand with controller
Version 1
Version 2

Experience

Engineering roles on student teams at the University of Washington.

  1. Jan 2026 to present

    Society of Advanced Rocket Propulsion

    Fluid Component Design Engineer

    • Designed, simulated, and manufactured actuated ball valves used as main propellant valves on the Domecracker bipropellant rocket.
    • Designing a composite liquid rocket engine with a team for a future SARP project, including a silica-epoxy thermal liner for ablative cooling and a carbon fiber-epoxy overwrap for structural reinforcement.
  2. Nov 2025 to present

    Washington Wave

    Structures Engineer

    • Design and build structural components for wave energy converters in CAD, comparing configurations for strength, stability, and manufacturability in marine environments.
    • Take part in technical interviews and design reviews with industry professionals and apply their feedback to the structural design.
    • Compete in the U.S. Department of Energy's Marine Energy Collegiate Competition.
  3. Mar 2025 to Jan 2026

    TAMID Group at UW

    Software Engineer

    • Built a new front end for local tech startup BeamBell with a team, improving usability and scalability.
    • Worked in a Git-based workflow with code reviews and iterative feature development.
    • Turned user feedback and product-market fit analysis into technical and design changes.

Skills

Tools and coursework I use in the projects above.

Design and fabrication

  • SolidWorks
  • Autodesk
  • Machining
  • 3D printing and prototyping

Programming and analysis

  • MATLAB
  • Python
  • JavaScript
  • SQL

Coursework

  • Statics
  • Dynamics and kinematics
  • Thermodynamics
  • Visualization and CAD

Get in touch

I'm looking for internships and summer roles in aerospace and mechanical engineering, especially propulsion and fluid systems.

Email Ari View resume View LinkedIn

Resume

Back to portfolio Download PDF

Ari Howard

Arihoward12@gmail.com | LinkedIn

Education

University of Washington, College of EngineeringSeattle, WA

Bachelor of Science, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering

Sep 2024 – Jun 2028

Minor in Business Administration

Relevant coursework: Statics, Dynamics and Kinematics, Thermodynamics, Visualization & CAD

Work experience

Society of Advanced Rocket Propulsion (SARP)Seattle, WA

Fluid Component Design Engineer

Jan 2026 – Present
  • Designed, simulated, and manufactured actuated ball valves used as main propellant valves on the Domecracker bipropellant rocket.
  • Working with a team to design a composite liquid rocket engine for a future SARP project, including a silica-epoxy thermal liner for ablative cooling and a carbon fiber-epoxy overwrap for structural reinforcement.
Washington WaveSeattle, WA

Structures Engineer

Nov 2025 – Present
  • Design and build structural components for wave energy converters using CAD, evaluating multiple design configurations to optimize strength, stability, and manufacturability in marine environments.
  • Engage with industry professionals, through technical interviews and design reviews to gain knowledge and apply real-world feedback to improve structural designs.
  • Compete in U.S. Department of Energy sponsored Marine Energy Collegiate Competition.
TAMID Group at University of WashingtonSeattle, WA

Software Engineer

Mar 2025 – Jan 2026
  • Collaborated with a team on developing a new front end for local tech startup BeamBell, improving platform usability, scalability, and user experience.
  • Contributed via Git-based workflows, participating in code reviews, version control, and iterative feature development.
  • Analyzed product–market fit and translated feedback from users into actionable technical and design improvements.

Projects

Liquid Rocket Engine (Engine Overview PDF)Sep 2025 – Present
  • Designed a liquid-propellant rocket engine, developing CAD models, injector geometry, and combustion-chamber components, using simulation guidance.
  • Started as personal project and expanded into a collaborative effort, leading a small team of students.

Extracurriculars

Theta Chi FraternityNov 2025 – Present

Treasurer and Kitchen Manager

  • Determine semester and annual budget as well as calculate and collect dues for active members
  • Oversee and negotiate vendor and service contracts, ensuring cost-effective partnerships
  • Manage budget ensuring effective allocation of funds to support member activities and operational expenses.
  • Work with a contracted chef and food-service vendor to ensure high-quality meals for members.
University of Washington ChabadSep 2025 – Present

Executive Board Member

  • Work with a team of students planning events for students in the community.
University of Washington Water Polo ClubSep 2024 – Present
  • Member of UW Water Polo Club. Attend practice regularly and compete in regional tournaments.

Other

Skills: SolidWorks, Autodesk, JavaScript, Python, MATLAB, SQL, Microsoft Office Suite, Machining.

Interests: Film, Skiing, World History, Mountaineering, College Football.