jv.Juan-Mario Vuksan
Mechanical Intern · Alameda, California · July 2023, summers 2024 & 2025

Navier

Rebuilding the original prototype

I worked at Navier over three summers. One of my main projects was rebuilding the company’s first-generation boat so it could be used for hardware and software testing.

The boat was nonfunctional and missing parts. I repaired servo motors, installed actuator drivers, rebuilt the onboard computer and internal wiring, and repaired CAN connections so the systems could communicate. I also fixed the cooling system for the propulsion motors and electronic speed controllers, compared different IMUs, and documented the wiring and operation.

Camera mounts and composite fabrication

I also designed and manufactured underwater camera mounts to collect footage around the hydrofoils and propeller. For the camera fairing, I developed the shape in CAD, made the forms, vacuum-bagged the fiberglass parts, and bonded and finished the enclosure.

Alongside these projects, I fabricated composite test components and supported testing of new mechanical designs on the prototype.

Navier website
Public Navier photograph of a white N30 boat riding above the water on its hydrofoils
Navier N30 · Company image: Navier.