Engineering Portfolio
Trent Poitras
Biomedical Mechanical Engineering + Computing Technologies | University of Ottawa
I design and build mechanical, biomedical, controls, electronics, software and automation systems, from CAD and machining to Arduino, MATLAB/Simulink, AI integration and real-world testing.
Outside engineering, I have competed in Junior A and Junior B hockey, semi-professional League1 Ontario soccer, and men’s ball hockey for Team Canada and Ontario.
3×
University of Ottawa Engineering Design Day Winner
R&D Engineer
Biomedical Device Development, Mondal Pediatrics
Quality Co-op
Quality Engineering, PepsiCo
4 Disciplines
Mechanical + Biomedical + Controls + Software
Core Tools
SolidWorks · GD&T · Machining · Arduino · MATLAB
Bilingual
English + French (DELF B2)
Team Canada
Men’s Ball Hockey, World Championship Game MVP vs Slovakia
Featured Work
Engineering Projects
Six flagship projects spanning biomedical, mechanical, controls and software engineering, with technical detail and results for each.
Workout Wrist Strap for Individuals With Hand/Wrist Disabilities and Dexterity Limitations
Assistive lifting strap that lets people with hand-dexterity limitations and hand/wrist pain train and carry without relying on grip.
300 lb
Supported load during testing without struggle
12×
Increase in user pectoral stretching duration
Robotic Hand Prosthetic Controlled by a Glove With Flex Sensors
3D-printed prosthetic hand driven by a flex-sensor glove, five servos pull fishing-wire tendons to reproduce natural finger motion.
Bobbin Assembly, 3D Topology Optimization Manufacturing
Complete mechanical design of a robotic carbon-fibre bobbin and companion loading assembly for a developing 3D topology-optimization (3DTO) manufacturing system.
±10 mm
Lateral docking misalignment tolerance
±10°
Angular docking misalignment tolerance
Automatic Balancing Inverse Pendulum
Modelled, built and tuned a closed-loop self-balancing cart-pendulum system using MATLAB/Simulink, Arduino and encoder feedback.
Gear Reducer for Low-Speed Industrial Conveyor
Two-stage helical gear reducer transmitting 3 hp from 60 rpm to 25 rpm, with every major component verified to safety factors above 1.5.
3 hp · 2.36:1
60 rpm input reduced to 25 rpm output
> 1.5
Minimum safety factor on all major components
Grocery Price Comparison App (Cart Compare)
Android app that compares a user's full grocery cart across local stores, with coupons and sales considered, to find the cheapest overall checkout.
More Work
Additional Projects
Electronics, software and design work that shows range beyond the featured six.
Physiological Monitoring & Medical Alert Prototype
Originally developed as a lie-detection experiment, later adapted into a medical-alert concept.
Arduino-based prototype that tracks heart rate and body humidity against a 20-second baseline and sounds an audible alarm when the weighted change exceeds a 15% threshold.
Virtual Reality Experience, Autonomous Weapons Ethics
Unity VR experience communicating the ethical dilemmas of fully autonomous weapons to policymakers, with a final human decision maker at the centre.
AI-Powered Ordering & Workflow Automation, Print It Custom
Integrated business automation system for my custom printing company: a WhatsApp AI assistant, automated Excel order database, email follow-ups and a live mockup tool.
In Progress
Current Projects
What I'm working on right now.
Everyday Lifestyle Version of Wrist Strap for Individuals With Hand/Wrist Disability and Dexterity Limitations
A smaller evolution of the workout wrist strap (Project 01) for lower-force daily tasks.
Industry Experience
Professional Engineering Work
R&D, quality engineering and process-improvement case studies from industry.
CPR Training Manikin R&D, Mondal Pediatrics
Lead R&D on a low-cost, portable CPR training manikin integrating mechanical design, fluid-dynamics considerations and an AI-based training and certification agent.
Brix Targeting & Process Improvement, PepsiCo
Excel-based data-analysis system that tightened syrup-concentration targeting to approximately ±0.2% and flagged monitoring gaps for early coaching.
~25%
Quarterly yield improvement during peak production
Lubrication System Root-Cause Investigation, PepsiCo
Titration-based root-cause investigation of conveyor lubrication delivery that was causing recurring can-line jams.
Quality Sample Inventory System, PepsiCo
Designed a quality-sample inventory management system that eliminated missing samples, and continued operating after my co-op ended.
CAD Work
SolidWorks Projects
Mechanical design and 3D modeling.
Hairdryer, Assembled View
Using SolidWorks, I created an accurate mechanical prototype of a hair dryer modeled 1:1 after one I dissected at home, including all internal components.
Sheet Metal "Box"
A project to prove efficacy in accurate sheet metal bends and flanges.
Assembly Construction
Components and assembly for a University of Ottawa project, made from engineering hand drawings. Includes 3 individual components fully assembled.
Academic
Publications & Research
A Review on Polymeric Biomaterials: Market Landscape, Competitors and Innovation Pipeline
After working with Professor Bill Tawil of UCLA, I was able to publish my paper titled "A Review on Polymeric Biomaterials: Market Landscape, Competitors and Innovation Pipeline." Professor Tawil recognized my interest in the subject I chose to research and agreed to help me publish. The paper was published on Scholastic Open Access on March 14th 2026.
Technical Drafting
Engineering Hand Drawings
Traditional hand-drawn engineering documentation.
Speed Reducer With Worm Gear
Detailed multi-view engineering hand drawing with front view, section view, bill of materials and title block.
Prosthetic Knee Implant
Hand-drawn prosthetic knee implant with front and side views showing interior link, anterior link, sleeve bushing, shaft, and superior link components.
Electric Drill
Cross-section engineering drawing with front view and side view, including dimensioning and section analysis.
Credentials
Certificates
Professional certifications and credentials earned.
Certified 3DEXPERIENCE 3DSwymer - Associate
Dassault Systèmes
Issued Aug 08, 2026
Biological Safety Cabinets
Public Health Agency of Canada
Issued 09/14/2026
Containment Level 2 Operational Practices
Public Health Agency of Canada
Issued 09/14/2026
General Safety Practices for Containment Laboratories
Public Health Agency of Canada
Issued 09/14/2026
Capabilities
Technical Skills
Skills proven across the projects above, no filler bars.
Programming & Software
CAD / Mechanical Design
Mechanical Engineering
Controls
Electronics / Embedded
Sensors
Manufacturing / Fabrication
Testing / Measurement
Biomedical / Lab
Data / Automation
Productivity
Beyond Engineering
Athletics & Competition
Competitive sport has been a major part of my life alongside engineering. I have represented Canada and Ontario in ball hockey, competed in Junior A and Junior B hockey, and played semi-professional soccer in League1 Ontario. Balancing high-level athletics with engineering studies and professional work has shaped how I approach preparation, accountability, leadership, teamwork, and performing under pressure.
Team Canada — Men’s Ball Hockey
2019 World Silver — Czechia
2026 National Silver — Montréal
Ontario — Men’s Provincial Ball Hockey Team
Junior A / Junior B — Ice Hockey
MVP + Best Defenseman — Char-Lan Rebels
League1 Ontario — Semi-Professional Soccer
Ontario Cup Champion — Team Captain
#1 in Canada — Milton Magic
Referee of the Year — Milton Magic
Team Canada & Ontario — Men’s Ball Hockey
Represented Canada internationally in men’s ball hockey, earning silver at the 2019 Ball Hockey World Championship in Czechia, where I was named Game MVP against Team Slovakia. I later represented Ontario at the 2026 Men’s Ball Hockey National Championships in Montréal, again finishing second.
Junior A & Junior B Hockey
Competed in Junior A and Junior B hockey with Georgetown, Lindsay, the Char-Lan Rebels, and Richmond Royals. At 18, I moved away from home and lived with a billet family in Lindsay to pursue Junior A hockey, requiring significant independence and adaptability at a young age.
With the Char-Lan Rebels, I served as Assistant Captain and received both MVP and Best Defenseman honours. I later earned a Junior B All-Star Game selection while playing with Richmond.
Competitive & Semi-Professional Soccer
Played competitive soccer with Milton Magic through approximately U18, serving as captain of an Ontario Cup-winning team that reached the #1 ranking in Canada. I later progressed to semi-professional soccer in League1 Ontario with Prostars FC and Scrosoppi FC.
Soccer Referee — Milton Magic
Worked as a referee within the Milton Magic organization and received the organization’s Referee of the Year award. Refereeing required independent decision-making, communication, conflict management, and maintaining composure during competitive matches.
Competing While Studying Engineering
During university I balanced engineering coursework with Junior B hockey while simultaneously training for semi-professional soccer, transitioning from the hockey season into League1 Ontario competition during the summer. Managing both competitive sports alongside engineering studies required careful scheduling, recovery, preparation, and consistent time management.
That experience shaped my ability to manage competing deadlines, maintain performance across multiple commitments, and continue working effectively when schedules are demanding.
Leadership
Captain of an Ontario Cup-winning, #1-ranked Canadian soccer team and Assistant Captain of a Junior B hockey team.
Independence
Moved away from home and lived with a billet family at 18 to pursue Junior A hockey.
Performance
MVP, Best Defenseman, Junior B All-Star selection, and international and national ball hockey silver medals.
Time Management
Balanced engineering studies, Junior B hockey, and semi-professional soccer training and competition.
Decision-Making
Referee of the Year experience requiring immediate decisions and conflict management.
The environment I enjoy in engineering is similar to the one I have always enjoyed in competitive sport: capable teammates, clear objectives, direct feedback, preparation, accountability, and solving problems under pressure. Athletics are separate from my engineering work, but they have strongly influenced how I contribute to teams and manage demanding schedules.
Beyond Engineering
Interests
A look at what I care about outside of work.
Hockey
Junior A hockey player for Georgetown and Lindsay until attending university. I was then an assistant captain for the Junior B Char-Lan Rebels before ending my career with the Richmond Royals.
Soccer
Former semi-professional player in League 1 Ontario for Prostars FC and Scrosoppi FC.
Fitness
Frequent gym-goer, and always looking for an excuse to play sports.
Fashion
Constantly studying fashion, having a recognizable sense of style myself.
Design
CAD, SolidWorks, computer design, Photoshop, fashion design, and designing new products. Passion for my creative space to both innovate and improve.
LEGO
You can never have too much, but I am pushing it.
References
Personal & Professional References
Reference letters and contact details, available upon request.
Reference 1
Professional Reference
Reference 2
Professional Reference
Reference 3
Academic Reference
Full reference letters and contact information are available upon request.
Request References
