About Me

Hi! I'm Vishnu Mandala, a Robotics Engineer at Roboteon Inc. in San Jose, California. I hold a Master’s in Robotics Engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park, where I specialized in robot perception, motion planning, and control.

I build intelligent robotic systems that connect software, hardware, and automation into cohesive, reliable solutions. My experience spans the full innovation lifecycle—from architecting core navigation stacks at early-stage startups to optimizing fleets at industrial scale.

At Roboteon and previously at RoBuildX, I honed my ability to build from scratch, developing parametric models, MoveIt pipelines, and sensor integration for novel mobile manipulators. I balance this "builder" mindset with the rigor I gained at OTTO by Rockwell Automation, where I engineered workflows for nearly 100 AMRs, ensuring stability and efficiency in complex brownfield environments.

Beyond the code, I am driven by a love for learning and sharing knowledge. Whether teaching advanced CAD to over 600 students at UMD or mentoring peers on ROS2 best practices, I believe that the best engineering cultures are built on collaboration and continuous growth.

I’m passionate about bridging robotics, AI, and control engineering to push the boundaries of what machines can achieve—efficiently, intelligently, and safely.

Tech Stack Usage Across Projects

Python

95%

Jupyter Notebook

80%

C++

70%

CMake

65%

Shell

50%

MATLAB

60%

CSS

40%

HTML

40%

JavaScript

40%

Ruby

30%

LIDAR

65%

ROS/ROS2

85%

SolidWorks

70%

OpenCV

80%

TensorFlow/Keras

70%

PyTorch

65%

SLAM

80%

Gazebo

75%

PID Control

70%

Kalman Filtering

70%

CARLA Simulator

50%

Raspberry Pi

65%

Programming Languages

Python Python
C++ C++
C C
Bash Bash
JavaScript JavaScript
MATLAB MATLAB
CUDA CUDA
Kotlin Kotlin
HTML HTML
CSS CSS

My core languages for software development, robotics, and AI applications.

AI & Machine Learning

PyTorch PyTorch
TensorFlow TensorFlow
Keras Keras
Scikit-learn Scikit-learn
Pandas Pandas
NumPy NumPy
Matplotlib Matplotlib

My preferred tools for machine learning, deep learning, and data analysis.

Robotics Frameworks

ROS/ROS2 ROS/ROS2
Gazebo Gazebo
OpenCV OpenCV

Essential frameworks for robotics development, simulation, and computer vision.

Productivity Tools

Photoshop Photoshop
Google Workspace Google Workspace
Microsoft Office Microsoft Office

Essential tools for documentation, collaboration, and content creation.

Development Tools

Git Git
Docker Docker
Linux Linux
CMake CMake
VSCode VSCode
Jupyter Jupyter
Raspberry Pi Raspberry Pi
Arduino Arduino
Windows Windows
Jira Jira
AWS AWS

Essential tools for version control, development environments, and build systems.

CAD & Simulation

SolidWorks SolidWorks
ANSYS ANSYS
Fusion 360 Fusion 360
AutoCAD AutoCAD
Creo Creo
Inventor Inventor

Tools for mechanical design, FEA analysis, and 3D modeling.

Timeline

Robotics Software Engineer

November 2025 — Present

Roboteon Inc.
Location: San Jose, CA

Systems Integration Engineer

August 2025 — November 2025

OTTO by Rockwell Automation
Location: Fort Wayne, IN

Engineered AMR workflows, fleet maps, intervention logs, and site reports for ∼100 robots across two large-scale plant projects, addressing system design issues, optimizing fleet traffic management, and standardizing deployment documentation

Integrated AMRs with middleware (Nexia, GM systems) via REST APIs; debugged rosbag and RViz logs, analyzed visualizations, and escalated issues through Jira — improving travel time by 12% and cutting queuing by 20%

Commissioned deployments by authoring acceptance tests, validating middleware integrations, and building VRA test servers on AWS to trial workflow and system enhancements

Delivered Tier-3 support and structured training to ∼10 plant employees, combining technical documentation, troubleshooting workflows, and on-site validation to ensure reliable, long-term AMR operations

Robotics Intern

March 2025 — July 2025

RoBuildX Inc. (Remote)

Developed parametric URDF/XACRO models for the Roofie wall-panel placer, integrating MoveIt2 pipelines and achieving sub-10 mm placement accuracy in Gazebo

Migrated Gazebo sensor and actuator plugins to ROS2 and built automated test frameworks to validate trajectories and safety interlocks — reducing commissioning time by 30%

Designed upper-rail gripper controls and payload kits for a 500 kg AMR, fusing LiDAR, IMU, and AprilTag data with Nav2 planners for reliable dynamic navigation

Graduate Teaching Assistant

August 2023 — December 2024

Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maryland

Delivered hands-on instruction in SolidWorks and Autodesk Inventor to over 600 students, improving design accuracy by 25% through advanced CAD lectures, targeted feedback, and collaboration with faculty on grading and assessments

Assistant Operations Manager

June 2023 — December 2024

Conferences and Visitor Services, University of Maryland

Directed linen operations across 120+ programs, implementing a custom database to maintain 100% inventory tracking accuracy, achieve a 50% cost reduction, boost efficiency by 30%, and supervise a team of 25 members

Master of Engineering in Robotics

January 2023 — December 2024

University of Maryland, College Park, MD
GPA: 3.91/4.0

Coursework: Perception and Planning for Autonomous Robots, Robot Modeling and Controls, AI and Deep Learning, Reinforcement Learning, Manufacturing Robotic Systems, Rehabilitation Robotics

Bachelor of Technology in Mechatronics

July 2018 — July 2022

Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Technology, India
GPA: 7.84/10

Coursework: Kinematics and Dynamics of Machinery, Robotics and Automation, CAD/CAM, Finite Element Methods, Motion Control Design, Switching Theory and Logic Design, Microprocessors and Microcontrollers, Fundamentals of IoT, MEMS, Material Science, Automotive and Manufacturing Processes, Automobile Engineering, Operations Research


Activities

Certifications