1. Nathaniel Brewster Thompson
50 Park Ave, Sierra Madre, CA 91024
nathaniel.b.thompson@gmail.com
(818) 519-8144
Education
Master of Science in Engineering, Mechanics of Structures Focus, GPA 3.89/4.0 June, 2012
University California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Cum Laude, GPA 3.71/4.0 June, 2008
University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Employment Experience
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 2007 - Present
Mechatronics Engineer II: Mechanical Structures and Articulation Group
§ Mars 2020 Project
o Cognizant Engineer, Remote Sensing Mast (RSM) on Rover
Leading a team of two support engineers, two designers, and an analyst from preliminary through
detailed design. Responsible for delivery of the RSM subsystem, an articulated mast that interfaces
with eight instruments. Managing cost accounts, budget estimates, workforce plans, detailed schedules,
requirements, interface definitions, hardware development and design review content.
§ Actuator Incubation Lab, For Official Use Only (FOUO) Project
o Cognizant Engineer, Linear Actuator
Improved the design of an existing dual-stage nanometer-scale actuator. Conducted hardware trade
studies, and managed the selected design from formulation through preliminary design review.
Managed a full-time designer while performing detailed hardware design and analysis.
§ Low Density Supersonic Decelerator (LDSD) Project
o Cognizant Engineer, Inflation Aid Assembly
Designed and managed delivery of a pyrotechnically-actuated device for inflating a ballute at NASA
TRL 7+. Prepared all analyses and design review content. Produced drawings and procedures,
managed the hardware fabrication, assembly, qualification and V&V testing.
o Cognizant Engineer, Parachute Design Verification Testbed
Designed and managed delivery of a 300 hp high-speed winch and 250,000 lb capacity pyrotechnic
release device. Produced analyses, drawings and design review content. Supervised fabrication,
assembly, and subsystem testing at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake.
§ Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Project
o Support/Testbed Engineer, Sample Handling Testbed
Designed testbed hardware for the sampling processes of instruments on the Curiosity Rover.
Produced, tested and tuned the hardware to match the flight and qualification design performance.
o Support Engineer, Assembly, Test, and Launch Operations (ATLO) Campaign
Developed, characterized, and calibrated mass properties measurement equipment for tests on flight
vehicles. Managed metrology and calibration of remote sensing cameras on Curiosity Rover.
Integrated hardware and supported environmental testing at JPL and KSC.
o Cognizant Engineer, Mechanical Ground Support Equipment (MGSE)
Designed a posable rover chassis testbed and fixtures for system-level random vibration testing.
Mechanical Engineer Co-op: Mechanical Integration Engineering Group
o Designed and qualified MGSE for V&V testing of MSL Cruise Stage and test-article for Netlander
R&D initiative. Developed testbed integration storyboards and solid models for facilities and MGSE.
Sonosite, Inc., Bothell, WA June – December, 2006
Manufacturing Engineer Co-op
o Improved process yields of medical ultrasound equipment through failure and statistical analyses.
Designed tooling and developed processes for manufacturing.

2. Nathaniel Brewster Thompson nathaniel.b.thompson@gmail.com Page 2
Additional Skills
Certifications
Cleanroom, Contamination Control, and ESD Certifications • Explosive Handler Certification
Fabrication
Manual mill and lathe machining • CNC mill machining • Rapid prototyping • GD&T (ASME Y14.5-2009)
Software Experience
CAD: Siemens NX, SolidWorks, CATIA • FEA: NX Advanced Simulation, FEMAP • Testing: LabVIEW
Mathematics/Simulation: Maple, Mathematica, MATLAB • Business: Microsoft Project, Microsoft Office
Training/Courses
Analysis of Bearings for Space Vehicle Mechanisms • Design and Analysis of Bolted Joints • Design for
Manufacturability and Assembly • GD&T (ASME Y14.5-2009) Fundamental and Advanced courses • NX
Advanced Simulation & Solutions • Space Mission Structures • Structural Test Design & Interpretation for
Aerospace Programs
Publications
§ Aguilar, D., Gallon, J., Hennings, E., Johnson, M., Marti, B., Meacham, M., Natzic, D., Rivellini, T., Tanner,
C., Thompson, N., "Rocket Sled Strength Testing of Large, Supersonic Parachutes," 23rd AIAA Aerodynamic
Decelerator Systems Technology Conference and Seminar, AIAA 2015-2163, Daytona Beach, FL, March 2015.
§ Thompson, N., Tanner, C., Gallon, J., Karp, A. C., "Pyrotechnically Actuated Gas Generator Utilizing Aqueous
Methanol," 23rd AIAA Aerodynamic Decelerator Systems Technology Conference and Seminar, AIAA 2015-
2115, Daytona Beach, FL, March 2015.
§ Thompson, N., Gallon, J., Tanner, C., Porter, C., Kovac, R., Townsend, D., Karp, A., Horner, M., Gavid, W.,
Scudamore, D., "Pyrotechnically Actuated Gas Generator Utilizing Aqueous Methanol," NASA Tech Brief,
Accessed March 1, 2016, http://www.techbriefs.com/component/content/article/ntb/tech-briefs/mechanics-and-
machinery/24097.
§ Thompson, N., “Comparative Modal Analysis of Sieve Hardware Designs,” MS Dissertation, School of
Engineering and Applied Science, Univ. of California, Los Angeles, CA, 2012.
Honors and Awards
§ 2015: LDSD Supersonic Flight Dynamic Test 1 Team Award
§ 2014: MSL SA/SPaH Dirty Testing Team Award • LDSD Parachute Delivery Team Award
§ 2013: MSL Mechanical Team Award • MSL Assembly, Test, and Launch Operations Team Award • MSL
Project Operations Team Award • Parachute Design Verification Development Team Award
§ 2012: MSL Challenge Material Testbed Development Team Award • MSL ATLO Team Award
§ 2011: MSL Mechanical ALTO Shipment Team Award • Individual SPOT Award
§ 2010: MSL Drop Test Preparation Team Award
References
References are available upon request.