XAVIER A. HINES-COOMBS
Robotics Engineer | Robotics Deployment & Systems Integration | Nueroengineering Research
Springfield, MA | xahcoombs@outlook.com | xavierhinescoombs.com
EDUCATION
Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)
Worcester, MA
Bachelors of Science, Robotic Engineering
May 2020
Masters of Science, Management
May 2022
WORK EXPERIENCE
System Engineer II - General Dynamics Electric Boat
Support complex electromechanical subsystem areas across integration, validation, troubleshooting, procurement support, stakeholder coordination, and technical documentation activities.
Maintained technical ownership of complex electromechanical subsystem areas including interior communication systems, trainer system benches, lock sets, and additive manufacturing components while supporting integration, validation, troubleshooting, and cross-functional coordination activities across the system lifecycle.
Coordinated electrical and mechanical subsystems, vendors, and stakeholders to support system-level integration and operational execution objectives.
Stepped into in-progress projects with limited documentation and established structure by organizing system architecture, interfaces, and component relationships to improve program coordination and traceability.
Developed procurement specifications and supported hardware selection activities to align components with system requirements and operational constraints.
Supported system validation, troubleshooting, and issue resolution efforts to ensure reliable performance across integrated hardware systems.
Created system-level documentation and decomposition artifacts to improve onboarding, technical understanding, and cross-functional coordination across stakeholders.
Groton, CT
July 2023 - Present
Robotic Deployment/ Mechatronic Engineer (Contracted)
Berkshire Grey - Contracted via Aerotek
Edison, NJ
August 2021- July 2022
Supported deployment, integration, commissioning, and troubleshooting activities for robotic pick-cell automation systems across customer and development environments.
Coordinated cross-functional communication between engineering, supply chain, field operations, and partner teams to support robotic system deployment and integration activities.
Tracked hardware status and coordinated required components to support deployment schedules and system readiness objectives.
Developed and implemented PLC-based control logic using Siemens TIA Portal to integrate robotic pick-and-place systems with automated packaging equipment in production environments.
Commissioned and debugged robotic systems by integrating hardware, software, and control systems in live operational environments.
Provided technical guidance and support for technicians during robotic system assembly, integration, and validation activities onsite.
Supported troubleshooting and technical issue resolution efforts across electrical, mechanical, and software interfaces during deployment activities.
Assisted engineers & deployment teams with technical decision-making & operational problem-solving during system integration efforts.
Designed a SolidWorks mounting solution for robotic system hardware including a tote, weigh scale, and junction box assembly.
Documented deployment progress, technical issues, system updates, and day-to-day integration activities throughout project execution.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Architecture and Systems Engineering: Models and Methods of Complex Systems,
Certificate-based systems engineering coursework focused on MBSE, system architecture, requirements traceability, model credibility, verification and validation, and quantitative decision-making for complex engineering systems.
Coordinated cross-functional communication between engineering, supply chain, field operations, and partner teams to support robotic system deployment and integration activities.
Tracked hardware status and coordinated required components to support deployment schedules and system readiness objectives.
Developed and implemented PLC-based control logic using Siemens TIA Portal to integrate robotic pick-and-place systems with automated packaging equipment in production environments.
Commissioned and debugged robotic systems by integrating hardware, software, and control systems in live operational environments.
Provided technical guidance and support for technicians during robotic system assembly, integration, and validation activities onsite.
Supported troubleshooting and technical issue resolution efforts across electrical, mechanical, and software interfaces during deployment activities.
Assisted engineers & deployment teams with technical decision-making & operational problem-solving during system integration efforts.
Designed a SolidWorks mounting solution for robotic system hardware including a tote, weigh scale, and junction box assembly.
Documented deployment progress, technical issues, system updates, and day-to-day integration activities throughout project execution.
MIT xPRO
April 2026 - Present
PROJECTS & LABS
Major Qualifying Project (MQP): 3D-Printing Concrete
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Member of a team of four, with three Civil Engineers, that developed a 3D concrete printer for testing concrete mixes.
Created an innovative nozzle design for inline mixing and flow rate control.
August 2019- May 2020
Unified Robotics,
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Programmed the TurtleBot3, a ROS based mobile robot, to enable the robot to explore any environment, generate a map, and travel within it, while avoiding obstacles. The environment was mapped using LIDAR sensor data and A* algorithm was used for the path planning. Assisted with the technical report and debugging
August 2017- May 2020
Dynamically controlled a 3 DOF robot in MATLAB and C++ implementing forward and inverse kinematics. Implemented motion planning, trajectory generation, vision-based tracking, error sources, and propagation.
Created a fire detecting robot which navigated through a maze and extinguished a candle flame using a fan. Managed the project by creating milestones, outlining team meetings, and divvying up tasks. Assisted with the robot design and assembly, 3D modeling in SolidWorks, calculations, and sensor testing.
Created a nuclear lab simulated robot that picked up rods, placed them in holsters, and distinguished which storage containers were empty using bluetooth. PID line tracking was used to navigate the simulated floor layout. Assisted with design and assembly of the robot, the technical report, calculations, and testing.
Controls Engineering,
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worked on a team of six that designed a Robotic Autonomous System (RAS) for the purpose of cleaning windows.
Conducted an in-depth analysis into the RAS System, this included the transient response, steady-state response, and frequency response.
January- March 2019
Mechanical Engineering Design,
Worked on a team of five that built a custom R/C car.
Assisted with design and assembly of the custom gearbox and steering linkages.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
March - April 2019
Qualifying Project (IQP): African Artist Initiative
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worked on a team of four, alongside Crocodile River Music, to help create a platform that helps, empowers, and uplifts the immigrant and refugee population, through shared experiences.
Reached out to and worked alongside Worcester’s Immigrant and Refugee Organizations.
Used interpersonal skills to conduct interviews with immigrants and refugees.
August - December 2018
Great Problems Seminar (GPS): Humanitarian Engineering Past & Present
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worked on a team of four to identify a solution for Kiribati’s sanitation issue.
Researched the island in order to develop an effective and innovative composting latrine.
Presented to all other GPS groups and professors using PowerPoint.
August - December 2016
SKILLS
Robotics & Systems Engineering
Systems Integration
Robotics Deployment
Automation Systems
Mechatronics
Robotic Pick Cells
System Commissioning
Technical Documentation
Software & Programming
Python
C++
MATLAB
PLC Programming
ROS / ROS2
Embedded Systems
Engineering Tools & Simulations
SolidWorks
Cameo Systems Modeler (MBSE)
MATLAB / Simulink
Gazebo
PyBullet
Blender
Hardware & Controls
Siemens TIA Portal
PLC Integration
Sensor Integration
Motor Control Systems
Industrial Automation
Electrical System Debugging