William Dong
Dedicated to providing autonomous ground solutions for defense technology. Mechanical & materials engineer, robotics-nonprofit founder, and two-time state-champion boxer.
Education
Carnegie Mellon UniversityExpected May 2030
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Freshman
Great Valley High School2022 – 2026
Senior · Malvern, PA · GPA 4.0 / 4.0
Relevant coursework: AP Physics C (Mechanics, E&M), AP Calculus BC, AP CSA
Experience
Student Researcher2026 – Present
Carnegie Mellon University · Robotics Institute · Biorobotics Lab
- Selected for the Biorobotics Lab within Carnegie Mellon's top-ranked Robotics Institute, a world leader in bio-inspired and snake robotics.
- Currently leading a novel locomotion project as a freshman, the only undergraduate in the lab to lead one: a robot that fires an anchor onto a structure and pulls itself toward it, developed from zero prior work.
- Also developing and testing experimental hardware for a bio-inspired snake robot.
Accelerator-Backed Builder2026 – Present
Scotty Labs Foundry · Carnegie Mellon University
- Selected by application to the founding cohort; building ground UAS systems.
Founder & CEO2024 – Present
Formula Theory & Automotive Design (FTAD) · 501(c)(3) Nonprofit
- Founded an F1-inspired robotics competition nonprofit, securing $55,000+ in funding through targeted sponsorships and grant acquisition.
- Conducted extensive market research and obtained international product validation, establishing FTAD's competition framework across multiple countries.
- Engineered competition vehicle designs in Onshape and Fusion 360, applying CFD simulation and topology optimization to maximize aerodynamic and structural performance.
MechE Intern, UGV Defense CompanySummer 2026
Raptor Defense Company
- Led SCORPION, an expendable payload vehicle, as lead and sole mechanical engineer, owning the full mechanical design from concept to working prototype.
- Designed the complete assembly in Onshape in 6 days, then manufactured and assembled it in 3.
- Delivered on spec: exceeded 50 mph (conservative estimate), used under 50% of the R&D budget, and passed the preliminary test matrix.
- Built a Portable Control Unit for the electronics team in SolidWorks.
Design Lead & CAD Specialist2024 – 2026
VEX Robotics · World-Qualified Competitive Team
- Led all mechanical design and CAD work on a team that qualified for the VEX World Championship in the 2024 season.
Leadership & Activities
Competitive Boxer2023 – Present
USA Boxing
- Two-time PA State Champion (2024 & 2025).
- Volunteer boxing coach, mentoring athletes ages 12–34 in technique, discipline, and sportsmanship.
Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)2025
Web Development · National Qualifier · 4th in Pennsylvania
- Learned web-dev logic in 4 months and built the competition project in a team of 3.
Co-Founder2022 – 2024
NextGen Business & Law Forum · 501(c)(3) Nonprofit
- Organized entrepreneurship competitions for 500+ students across the United States.
- Oversaw event logistics, curriculum development, and partner outreach.
Skills
CAD & Design
OnshapeFusion 360SolidWorksCFD SimulationTopology Opt.
Programming
PythonJavaC++
Engineering
Kinematic SystemsStructural AnalysisAero SimulationRapid PrototypingUGV Systems
Interests
Kinematics engineering, automotive engineering & racing technology, unmanned systems, defense technology, entrepreneurship, and combat sports.