Experience

    The road so far

    Research, mechanical engineering, and teaching

    Professional Experience and Roles

    • ResearchApr 2026 – Present

      Research Assistant

      UNSW Sydney, Faculty of Engineering
      Sydney, NSW
      • Building a MATLAB framework for inverse force identification from structural vibration data.
      • Developing models to reconstruct time-varying force inputs from single-sensor measurements.
      • Testing single-sensor approaches against multi-sensor setups in controlled experiments.
      • Contributing to academic research into low-instrumentation structural monitoring methods.
    • HardwareMechatronicsFeb 2026 – Jun 2026

      Mechanical Engineering Intern

      Contactile Pty Ltd
      Sydney, NSW
      • Assisted in developing tactile sensing hardware for 3D force-vector measurement in robotic systems.
      • Optimised and refined CAD models for auxiliary components including protective enclosures, custom lids, and specialised storage for delicate sensor arrays
      • Assisted in robotic experiments to capture and analyse sensor outputs and gripper signal datasets
    • TeachingMay 2026 – Present

      Research Scholar – Taste of Research Program

      UNSW Sydney, Faculty of Engineering
      Sydney, NSW
      • Awarded $6,000 research scholarship to design water treatment solutions for remote Fijian communities.
      • Building and verifying an engineering solutions database and field deployment outcomes.
      • Conducting co-design field engagement in Viwa Island and Wainika Village to inform final system design recommendations
    • TeachingMay 2026 – Present

      Casual Academic

      UNSW Sydney, Faculty of Engineering
      Sydney, NSW
      • Run weekly lab sessions and demonstrations for ENGG2400 (Mechanics of Solids 1).
      • Mark student assessments and provide one-on-one technical support during labs.
      • Selected to demonstrate based on strong academic performance in the course.
    • TeachingFeb 2026 – Present

      Academic Tutor

      Warrane College, UNSW
      Sydney, NSW
      • Selected on merit for strong academic results in Fluid Mechanics and Mechanics of Solids.
      • Delivered small-group tutoring sessions to Warrane College residents covering core engineering subjects (ENGG2400, ENGG2500).
      • Provided one-on-one technical support to help students work through problem sets and exam preparation.
    • TeachingAug 2024 – Feb 2026

      Executive Tutor (Math, Physics, Computer Science)

      Apex Tuition Australia
      Hybrid
      • Conducted 100+ customised tutoring sessions for IB Diploma students in Mathematics AA (HL/SL), Physics, and Computer Science
      • Improved student exam performance through targeted curriculum support and personalised learning strategies
      • Delivered online and in-person sessions adapting to individual learning styles

    © 2025–2026 Venuja Rodrigo · UNSW Mechanical Engineering