Hey there! I'm Alexander Munson

"ad adstra per aspera"
Alexander Munson

About

// this is me

I’m a mechanical engineering student at North Dakota State University pursuing minors in robotics, aerospace, and computer science. I’m driven by curiosity, hard work, and a constant desire to grow. Whether I’m working on school, personal projects, or research, I always strive to bring all I've got to the table.

#opentowork

// experience

Jet Propulsion Laboratory logo

JPL Summer Intern

Jet Propulsion Laboratory | Pasadena, CA

June 2026 - August 2026

I characterized how lunar-specific imaging conditions affect the reliability of 3D Gaussian splatting reconstructions for rover path planning. Using ordered image sequences from a lunar surface reconstruction processed through a 3DGS pipeline, I systematically varied critical lighting conditions to find where reconstruction quality breaks down. I then converted the 3DGS output into a planner-usable costmap and ran navigation trials in simulation, comparing path success rate, efficiency, and collision rate against a ground-truth baseline on synthetic lunar-like terrain. I also looked at using a shortwave infrared time of flight (SWIR ToF) camera in conjunction with the stereo camera setup, and quantified how decisions are made in when information is conflicting.

Marvin Composites logo

Research and Development Engineering Intern

Marvin Composites | Fargo, ND

June 2025 – May 2026

September 2026 – Present

I conducted TGA, DSC, MTS QTest Elite mechanical assessments and physical characterizations (density measurements, PATTI coating adhesion tests, inorganic decompositions, Omnimark moisture tests) to assess and qualify resin formulations, fiberglass mats, and fiberglass rovings for composite parts. I also assessed a decade-long manufacturing issue using a root cause analysis approach, covering many different possibilities, and then provided the most effective opportunities for improvement to be implemented in production.

Bismarck Public Schools logo

Student Technology Specialist Intern

Bismarck Public Schools | Bismarck, ND

June 2021 - August 2024

I used time management to efficiently repair student Chromebooks, keeping the flow of work and output to a high standard. I learned and refined processes to repair computers, as well as install peripheral technology into classrooms, creating a successful and innovative environment. I troubleshot existing issues and solved them quickly to keep the school district technology working correctly and efficiently. I installed and tested numerous rooms of audio visual equipment, such as projectors and classroom speaker systems, in classrooms that were in use as well as working in an active construction site installing the equipment in new schools.

Projects

// my stuff

Boulderbot

3D Gaussian Splatting for Lunar Path Planning

NASA JPL

Boulderbot

Boulderbot

NDSU Combat Robotics

Line Following Robot

Line Following Robot

Term Project

Carabiner Material Analysis

Carabiner Material Analysis

Term Project

Cowbot

Cowbot

NDSU Combat Robotics

Playground Design

Playground Design

Term Project

Portfolio Website

Portfolio Website

Personal

Dorm Speaker Mount

Dorm Speaker Mount

Personal

Education

// academic background

North Dakota State University

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Minors in Computer Science and Robotics

Expected Graduation: 2028

Extracuriculars: Bison Robotics, Combat Robotics, Jazz Lab Band, Climbing Club, Travel and Adventure Club
Honors: Harry D McGovern Scholar, Dean's List (all semesters)

Carrier pigeon not included

contact me

Feel free to reach out for collaborations, or just to connect!