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Troy User

@troyuser

Ph.D. mechanical engineer specializing in robotics, control, and wearable exoskeleton systems for real-world deployment.

United States

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What I'm looking for

I seek roles building and deploying robot control systems and wearable assistive devices, emphasizing safety, sim-to-real transfer, hardware integration, and team collaboration.

I am a Ph.D. candidate in Mechanical Engineering with deep expertise in robotics, control, and wearable exoskeleton systems, blending machine learning and real-time control for human-robot interaction.

My research has produced machine learning frameworks for real-time motion tracking, BCI-enabled exoskeleton control, and MPC/reinforcement-learning control pipelines, validated through hardware-in-the-loop and sim-to-real testing.

I have implemented autonomy stacks for legged robots, developed VR simulation environments, and led cross-functional teams while teaching dynamic systems and control at the university level.

I pursue rigorous safety, CI/CD-enabled testing, and practical hardware integration—bringing experience in ROS/ROS2, Python/C++, sensor fusion, CAD, and embedded systems to accelerate deployment of robust robotic assistance solutions.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Research Assistant

Rutgers University

Jan 2022 - Oct 2025 (3 years 9 months)

Designed and deployed ML frameworks for real-time motion tracking and state estimation for exoskeletons, implemented MPC and RL control with hardware-in-the-loop testing, and integrated BCI pipelines to enable safe human–robot interaction validated in simulation and real-world tests.

MPC Reinforcement Learning Python C++CAN Simulation (MuJoCo Gazebo) Sensor Fusion

Lecturer

Rutgers University

Jun 2022 - Aug 2024 (2 years 2 months)

Taught Dynamic Systems and Control course covering ODE-based system modeling, feedback interconnections, and control design to ensure stability and performance for engineering students.

ODE Modeling Matlab Teaching Curriculum Development

Research Assistant

Case Western Reserve University

Jan 2020 - Dec 2021 (1 year 11 months)

Developed hexapod robot simulations and stable gait/impedance controllers, designed a wave force sensor and implemented leg-terrain interaction models to improve locomotion across diverse environments.

Webots Gait Design Embedded Systems Python 3D Printing Legged Robotics

Undergraduate Researcher

University of Notre Dame

Jun 2018 - Aug 2018 (2 months)

Simulated a single-leg jumping robot and developed closed-loop PID controllers and embedded control on Mbed to achieve stable real-time jumping performance.

Webots PID Controller Embedded Systems Mbed Matlab Simulation

Summer Intern

Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China

Jun 2017 - Aug 2017 (2 months)

Designed a 5-DoF robot arm for wing panel riveting, performed static and dynamic analyses with SolidWorks and Adams, and developed a perpendicular calibration algorithm to improve rivet accuracy.

Solidworks Adams CAD

Summer Intern

Timken Company

Jun 2016 - Aug 2016 (2 months)

Implemented ultrasonic testing protocols and FFT analysis for bearing degradation detection and developed an online MATLAB monitoring system for wind turbine bearing reliability.

Ultrasonic Testing FFT Analysis Matlab Signal Processing Reliability Engineering

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Doctor of Philosophy, Mechanical Engineering

2022 - 2025

Activities and societies: Research Assistant; Lecturer for Dynamic System and Control; developed simulation and hardware-in-the-loop frameworks, autonomy stack for quadruped robots.

Pursuing a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering with research on exoskeleton control, sensor fusion, and real-time motion tracking using ML and control methods.

Case Western Reserve University

Master of Science, Mechanical Engineering

2020 - 2021

Activities and societies: Research Assistant; developed hexapod simulations, impedance control, and custom wave force sensors.

Completed an M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering focusing on legged robot simulation, gait development, and sensor/force-sensing hardware for robotic locomotion.