Paul A. Keutelian
Education

Master of Science: Nuclear, Plasma, and Radiological Engineering
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2010-2013
Thesis: Electrostatic Nozzle Design and Simulation with HIIPER Space Propulsion Group; investigating deep space mission engine design to reduce transit time between interplanetary trips.
Courses Taken
Bachelor of Science: Aerospace Engineering
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2005-2010
Focus: Fluids, Propulsion/Combustion, Orbital/Flight Mechanics, and Thermodynamics
Courses Taken
Independent Work
Experiments in design, fluids, electronics, programming, and IT. These experiments feed into larger projects or milestones.

Experience & Projects

Launch Engineer - Launch Operations, Fluid Systems, Launch & Test
Space Launch Complex 4, Vandenberg Air Force Base
Space Exploration Technolgies Corporation
February 2013 - Present
  • Responsible Engineer: Design, Procure, Plan, Build, Test, and Operate assigned fluids systems.
  • Build data analysis tools using Python, Matlab, National Instruments DIAdem, and Excel.
  • Fluid Systems Responsible Engineer (Current): Helium (Liquid and Gaseous), Nitrogen, TEA-TEB.
  • Fluid Systems Responsible Engineer (Former): Water.
  • Co-Engineer of Falcon Landing Ground Support Pad and Fluids Systems.
  • Pressurized Systems (up to 6,000 PSIG in service with systems designed to go up to 12,000 PSIG), Cryogenic, Corrosive, and Pyrophoric substance experience.
  • Launch Operations Controller: Ground Controller for Falcon 9 Flight 19, Jason-III; Ground Support Engineer for Falcon 9 Flight 6, Cassiope.
  • Assisted with anomaly testing, test operations development, and test execution for Falcon 9 flight 20.

Research Assistant
Design, Testing, Machining, and Simulation
HIIPER Space Propulsion Group, UIUC
Fall 2009-Spring 2013
  • Created, designed, and built combustor concept independently. Proposed research for funding to group.
  • Upgraded and machined components designed in SolidWorks and simulated in COMSOL.
  • Operated engine, electronics, and vacuum systems and ran diagnostics using LabVIEW [sample].
  • Developed and built nozzle design for plasma thruster to achieve maximum efficiency.
  • Assisted research team on design of combustor and alternative applications for thrusters.

Propulsion Systems Planning Engineer
Senior Design Project
Department of Aerospace Engineering, UIUC
Fall 2009 - Spring 2010
  • Designed and selected propulsion systems based on mission requirements.
  • Researched most cost effective approach to achieve goals to remain under budget.
  • Worked with orbital mechanics lead to develop mission plan.
  • Remained under budget as a group, $190/$200 million.

Chief Propulsion Design Engineer, Assistant Chief Manufactuing Engineer, CNC Hotwire Operator
Design/Build/Fly Team, UIUC
AIAA
Spring 2006 - Spring 2009
  • Achieved second place flight score in world by advising and training members on design techniques.
  • Led design, documentation of motor and electrical system which exceeded specifications using Motocalc.
  • Constructed tests and tools for electrical and brushless motor propulsion systems.
  • Assembled and documented new CNC machine circuitry to construct composite airplane wings and body.

Software Programming Intern
Cosmic Ray Division
Alikhanian Physics Institute; Yerevan, Armenia
Summer 2007
  • Developed software that achieved triple redundant time sync on solar detectors throughout country.
  • Documented work for peers and superiors for maintenance using Mandrake & Debian Linux.

Co-Founder
GamersForCharity.org
Spring 2010 - Fall 2012
  • Managed team of approximately 20 to advertise and operate charity event for earthquake victims.
  • Contacted sponsors for funding, secured prizes given to tournament winners.
  • Raised over $2,300 combined with Hendrick Dorms and became second largest Haiti fundraiser at UIUC.
  • Over 70 contestants participated from several states in the midwestern United States.

Resident Advisor/Google Apps Admin
Hendrick Dorms, Inc.
UIUC
Summer 2008 - Summer 2012
  • Created efficient database tools adopted by staff and managers for secure data using Google Apps.
  • Lead teams of diverse groups, resolved peer conflicts and respond to medical and personal emergencies.
  • Responsible for approximately 45 residents from diverse backgrounds to work as team.

Technical Skills

  • CAD
  • AutoCAD
  • Autodesk Inventor
  • COMSOL Multiphysics
  • ProEngineer
  • SolidWorks
  • Siemens Teamcenter
  • Unigraphics/NX
  • Languages
  • Android
  • C/C++
  • HTML5/CSS3
  • LabView
  • LaTeX
  • Mathematica
  • Matlab
  • Processing
  • Python
  • Software
  • Adobe Suite
  • Autodesk Suite
  • Eclipse
  • Libre/MS/OpenOffice
  • Netbeans
  • Virtualization (VBox/Xen)
  • Linux (Arch/Debian/Ubuntu)
  • OSX
  • Windows
  • Hardware
  • Arduino
  • CNC Hotwire Foamcutter
  • Electronics Design
  • Electrical Systems
  • Lab Diagnostics
  • Metal Machining
  • Microcontrollers
  • NI DAQ
  • Composite Manufacturing
  • Vacuum Systems
  • Information Databases
  • ACM
  • AIAA
  • ASTM
  • Engineering Village
  • IEEE
  • OCLC WordlCat
  • ORR
  • SCOPUS
  • UIUC Federated Search

Published Work
  • HIIPER Space Propulsion for Future Space Missions. George Miley, Michael Reilly, Ben Ulmen, Paul Keutelian, John Orcutt. COMSOL Conference Boston 2011.

  • Space Thruster Based on Inertial Electrostatic Confinement. Ben Ulmen, Guilherme Amadio, Hugo Leon, George Chen, William Matisiak, Paul Keutelian, George H. Miley. http://fti.neep.wisc.edu/static/POSTERS/114Amadio.pdf.

  • Cylindrical IEC Fusion Neutron Source for Broad Area NAA. George H. Miley, Hiromu Momota, Hugo Leon, Ben Ulmen, Guilherme Amadio, Atanu Khan, George Chen, William Matisiak, Ali Azeem, and Paul Keutelian, ASME Conf. Proc. 2010, 659 (2010), DOI:10.1115/ICONE18-30368.