Bellevue, WA · Open to opportunities

Ishaan
Makam

Aerospace engineer + software builder. Founded my first company at 15. Published independent research at 17. Building things that actually ship.

$15K T-Mobile Grand Prize
3rd MIT URTC / 191 teams
60+ Students taught rocketry
89% TerraCan accuracy
What I've built

Projects & Research

AI · Computer Vision · iOS
TerraCan

Real-time waste sorting system using a TensorFlow/Keras CNN and camera module to automatically classify household waste. Iterated through 4 hardware versions, built the full iOS app in Swift with Bluetooth integration.

60% → 89% accuracy $15,000 Grand Prize
Read more ↗
Nonprofit · 501(c)(3)
Camp Liftoff

Founded an aerospace summer camp teaching rocketry, CAD, and flight dynamics to middle schoolers from underserved communities. Grew from 10 to 60+ students across two campuses.

60+ students $10K+ raised
Visit site ↗
Python · Ansible · Networking
Network Automation & Cybersecurity

Python + Ansible pipeline for automated network monitoring, DDoS detection, and vulnerability scanning. Wrote Netmiko scripts to automate WAP migrations and VLAN audits.

30% faster detection
View on GitHub ↗
ANSYS · CFD · Published
Bio-Inspired Rocket Aerodynamics

Investigated shark-skin riblets and whale tubercles to reduce rocket drag. CFD simulations in ANSYS Fluent. Published as sole author in Journal of High School Science (19% acceptance rate).

8–12% drag reduction MIT URTC 3rd / 191
View on GitHub ↗
Python · QGIS
Noise Contour Modeling

Modeled airport noise exposure using terrain elevation and land use data. Validated against FAA Part 150 reference data.

View on GitHub ↗
JavaScript · Algorithms
JavaScript Algorithms

Five algorithm projects for the freeCodeCamp JavaScript Algorithms & Data Structures certification — Palindrome Checker, Roman Numeral Converter, Caesar's Cipher, Telephone Number Validator, and Cash Register.

View on GitHub ↗
Where I've been

Experience

Summer 2025
Mechanical Engineering Intern
Hermanson Heavy Metal · Seattle, WA
TIG-welded 10+ structural joints and fabricated 6 sheet-metal components for a live hospital construction project. Designed subassemblies in SolidWorks and Revit to catch interference issues before installation.
Dec 2023 – Present
Founder & President — Camp Liftoff
501(c)(3) Nonprofit · Bellevue, WA
Founded a 6-week aerospace summer camp, grew from 10 to 30+ students, recruited 12 volunteer coaches, and secured $10,000+ from Blue Origin and T-Mobile. Second chapter at Tyee Middle School qualified for TARC Nationals 2026.
Sept 2023 – Present
Math Tutor
Russian School of Math · Factoria, WA
Taught 200+ students from Algebra through Calculus BC. Brought a struggling student from a C to an A in one semester. Mentored 3 new tutors and led AMC 8/10 competition prep.
Aug 2022 – Present
Team Captain & Treasurer — Newport Rocketry
Newport High School · Bellevue, WA
Managed a $22,000+ budget for 70+ members. Engineered a force ejection sensor with 90% parachute deployment accuracy across 40+ launches. Qualified teams for TARC Nationals 2025 and 2026.
2024 – Present
Program Coordinator — Seattle Science Lab SROP
Seattle, WA
Directed a 16-student, 12-week research program. Built a mentor-pairing system and helped raise $9,000 in STEM grants to expand access to Title I schools.
What I use

Skills & Certifications

Languages
Python Swift Java JavaScript MATLAB Bash
ML / CV
TensorFlow Keras CoreML OpenCV
Networking
Ansible Netmiko Nmap Wireshark
CAD / Sim
SolidWorks Fusion 360 Onshape ANSYS Fluent OpenRocket
Fabrication
TIG Welding Soldering Laser Cutter Composites PCB Design
Other
Git QGIS Figma Arduino Xcode
🌐
Cisco Certified Network Associate
Cisco · CCNA
🔒
CompTIA Security+
CompTIA
🤖
AI/ML · Python · Pandas · SQL
Kaggle
🛡️
Cybersecurity
TryHackMe
JavaScript Algorithms & Data Structures
freeCodeCamp
🚀
NAR Level 2 High-Power Rocketry
National Association of Rocketry
✈️
Washington Aerospace Scholar
Museum of Flight / UW
Legacy Java Certification
freeCodeCamp

Let's talk

Get in touch.

Open to internships, research collabs, and conversations about aerospace + software.