JK Jesse Kegley
Contact

Résumé

Jesse Kegley

Robotics Engineering student with a professional fabrication background -- aerospace certified welder, and automation engingineering intern at a startup

jkegley@ucsc.edu

Education

University of California, Santa Cruz

B.S. Robotics Engineering, Minor in Electrical Engineering

Sep 2023 – Jun 2027 (expected) Santa Cruz, CA
  • Relevant coursework: ECE 118 Mechatronics, ECE 121: Microcontroller System Design, ECE 167: Sensors and Sensor Technologies, ECE 100: Logic Design in Verilog, ECE 171: Analog Circuits

Experience

Automation / Aerospace Engineering Intern

Boncu-Space LLC

Sep 2025 – Present Santa Cruz, CA
  • Designing and manufacturing technologies to optimize cost per unit payload weight of medium-sized rockets.
  • Creating, testing, and iterating automated systems for fixturing and laser welding of thrust chamber assemblies and fuel tanks.
  • Designed and fabricated a gas piston based actuator with tight budget and size constraints
  • Program and execute CAM toolpaths for CNC machining of aluminum and stainless components and fixtures

Owner / Operator

Kegley Metalwork LLC

Jul 2022 – Present Severna Park, MD
  • Founded and operate a business providing welding and fabrication services for equipment repair and commercial business solutions.
  • Scope, quote, and deliver projects across multiple industries; full responsibility for pricing, client communication, and project execution.
  • Maintain, modify, and service all shop equipment, including during ongoing projects, to ensure reliable delivery.

Research Assistant

HARE Research Lab, UC Santa Cruz

Dec 2024 – Jul 2025 Santa Cruz, CA
  • Contributed mechanical and technical work — CNC machining, CAD, soldering, electronics, and programming — toward development of a VTOL search-and-rescue drone.

Project Estimator

VHF Welding

Jan 2024 – Aug 2024 Capitola, CA
  • Created accurate bids on large fabrication projects worth upwards of $40,000, securing work for a local welding business.

Freelance Welder / Assistant

Harbor Diving Services

May 2020 – Sep 2023 Edgewater, MD
  • Assisted in commercial diving and underwater welding operations; set up and operated diver communication systems to ensure safe dives and accurate information transmission to customers.

Welder / Steamfitter

JCM Associates

Nov 2022 – Sep 2023 Washington, DC
  • Maintained fleet machines and equipment used on multimillion-dollar mechanical contracting jobs.
  • Read technical drawings to fabricate components for on-site installation.
  • Designed and fabricated shop systems and fixtures that improved productivity.

News bulletin writer

Cintoc UAE Contract

2021-2022 Washington, DC
  • Ghostwrote weekly news bulletins for a group of UAE-based attorneys, providing updates on the blockade of qatar and news in the gulf region.

Lifegaurd

Ben Oaks Community Association

2020-2023, seasonal Severna Park, MD

Barista

Starbucks

2020-2022 Severna Park, MD

Parking Lot Attendant

Lures Bar and Grill

2019 Crownsville, MD