Ahilesh Vadivel
About Me
GPA: 4.0 / 4.0
I am a robotics engineer who recently completed my M.S. in Robotics (ECE concentration) at Northeastern University in May 2026 with a 4.0 GPA. What defines my work is not a single domain but a consistent drive to close the loop between perception, planning, and action in physical systems. I have built and shipped projects across legged locomotion, autonomous navigation, deep learning perception, formal safety verification, and soft robotics manipulation, always with an eye on how each piece connects to the whole.
My strongest work lives at the intersection of learning and control. I have trained RL policies for quadruped locomotion in MuJoCo, integrated vision-based terrain classifiers into those policies, published research on a soft origami robot arm in the journal Soft Robotics, and formally verified neural network controllers for safety-critical systems. I am equally comfortable writing PyTorch training loops, debugging ROS2 node graphs, and assembling hardware prototypes.
I am actively seeking full-time roles where I can contribute to building robots that operate reliably in the real world. Available on F-1 OPT starting May 2026 and open to relocation anywhere in the United States.
My Journey
The Beginning: Gesture-Controlled Robot
Built my first gesture-controlled robot in high school, sparking a lifelong passion for human-robot interaction and intelligent movement.
Foundation Building: B.E. in Electronics & Communication
Strategic decision to master electronics fundamentals at Anna University's College of Engineering Guindy. Completed projects ranging from agricultural monitoring rovers to continuum robots.
Research Discovery: CSIR Internship
Research internship at CSIR Central Scientific Instruments Organisation developing portable vaccine storage systems — solidifying my interest in systematic engineering and graduate research.
Integration Mastery: Vision-Based CNC Capstone
Led computer vision development for an ML-enabled CNC pick-and-place system achieving 99% picking accuracy. Published as bachelor's thesis.
Specialization: M.S. in Robotics at Northeastern (4.0 GPA)
Systematic exploration through graduate coursework tackling 12+ hands-on projects spanning RL-based quadruped locomotion, deep learning perception, SLAM, formal verification, and soft robotics.
Research Experience: PARSES Lab Graduate RA
Contributed to a 4-DoF soft origami robot arm published in Soft Robotics journal. Independently pioneered in-hand manipulation with Kresling grippers at 85% success rate.
Next Chapter: Full-Time Robotics Engineer
Graduated with a systems-level perspective on robotics, having shipped projects spanning locomotion, navigation, perception, manipulation, and safety verification. Ready to bring that breadth and depth to a team building robots that work in the real world.
Featured Projects
Technical Skills
🤖 Robotics Frameworks
- ROS / ROS2
- Gazebo Simulation
- MuJoCo (Gymnasium/Ant)
- Coppelia Sim (V-REP)
- MoveIt!
💻 Programming Languages
- Python (Advanced)
- C++ (Advanced)
- MATLAB
- G-code
🧠 ML / AI Frameworks
- PyTorch (RL, CNN, ViT)
- TensorFlow / Keras
- NumPy / Pandas / scikit-learn
- OpenCV
⚙️ Hardware & Embedded
- Arduino / Arduino DUE
- Raspberry Pi
- PIC Microcontrollers
- PCB Design (EasyEDA)
- Sensor Integration & Fusion
🎯 Core Competencies
- SLAM & Localization
- Motion Planning
- Control Systems (Classical & Modern)
- Reinforcement Learning (PPO, MuJoCo)
- Computer Vision & Deep Learning
- Formal Verification (FBRA)
🔧 CAD & Design
- Fusion 360
- SolidWorks
- 3D Printing & Prototyping
- LT Spice
📚 Specialized Coursework
- Robot Sensing & Navigation
- Mobile Robotics
- Legged Robotics
- Robot Mechanics & Controls
- Robotic Science & Systems
- Reinforcement Learning
- Verifiable ML
- Pattern Recognition & CV
- Flexible Soft Robotics
🎓 Research Interests
- Dynamic Locomotion
- Humanoid Robotics
- Quadruped Control
- Learning-Based Control
- Mobile Manipulation
- Perception for Autonomous Systems
Publications & Research
Published: Soft Robotics (Journal), 2025
My Contribution: Fabricated 14 Kresling origami actuators through a complete manufacturing pipeline. Built ROS2 launch sequencing for multi-node operation. Co-developed PID controller for vacuum pressure regulation achieving <5mm position error in 2D, <10mm in 3D, and 680g payload capacity.
Published: Bachelor's Thesis, Anna University, May 2024
Supervisor: Dr. N. Ramadass, Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering
Let's Connect
Currently Seeking Opportunities
I am actively looking for full-time robotics engineering positions starting May 2026. I bring hands-on experience across the autonomy stack and a genuine enthusiasm for whatever challenge comes next.
Available on F-1 OPT | Open to relocation within the United States