Daniel Atkinson
Biography
Daniel is a second-semester senior studying aeronautical and astronautical engineering with a specialization in propulsion. He is a member of the co-op program and the Office of Professional Practice, and is also involved in SAE Baja, Purdue Vertical Flight Society, and is one of the founders of the Transfer Students of Purdue organization.
He has completed two summer rotations at Rolls-Royce Liberty Works in Research and Technology, where he studied compressor blade harmonics. He also completed an eight-month co-op with Northrop Grumman Launch Vehicles division as a design, integration and test engineer, working on thrust vector control systems. Additionally, he held a summer position at Rotating Equipment Specialists, focusing on balancing aerospace components.
At Rolls-Royce, his work centered on mode analysis of compressor blades to ensure the survival of blades in various conditions when operating in a range of rpm. At Northrop Grumman, he developed a hardware test that required the creation of parts (drawings and stress analysis), communication with mechanical, electrical and propulsion engineering departmetents, and procurement of hardware.
Outside of academics and professional work, he enjoys working on cars-especially his family's 1972 Oldsmobile 442-playing sand volleyball, spending time with friends and playing video games.