Engineering profile · Freddie Knight

Engineering Experience & CV

Aerospace Engineering student at the University of Southampton specialising in Aerodynamics, combining strong academic performance with practical experience in aerodynamic analysis, CFD, CAD, experimental work, manufacturing and engineering design.

AerodynamicsCFD & SimulationCAD & ManufacturingExperimental Engineering

First

Class trajectory

73.8%

Year 2 result

MEng

Aeronautics & Astronautics

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Freddie Knight in front of an aerodynamic pressure sketch

How I work

Design → Analyse → Build → Test

Comfortable moving between analytical models, computational tools, workshop processes and experimental evidence.

Featured engineering experience

Aerospace engineering in practice

Selected work from my degree and independent projects, showing how I use analysis, design, manufacture and testing together. Each highlight links to a fuller case study or technical report.

Completed CubeSat and low-friction environment platform assembly — Selected CubeSat and LFEP design, manufacture and testing evidence.

CubeSat project photo showing manufactured components — Selected CubeSat and LFEP design, manufacture and testing evidence.

University of Southampton · Year 2 team project

CubeSat & Low-Friction Environment Platform

Designed and manufactured the LFEP structure and fan ducting in SolidWorks, balancing mass, airflow, stability and manufacturability. The platform recorded the fastest mean speed in the project.

1st / 10

Team result

1.800 kg

Final system mass

SolidWorks

Primary design tool

Design → test

Personal scope

Mechanical DesignDesign for Manufacture3D PrintingSystems Integration

Explore the project →

Adaptive Hessian-refined CFD mesh around a finite-wing model — Adaptive refinement concentrated mesh resolution around changes in the flow.

Coursework · ANSYS Fluent

Computational Aerodynamics & CFD

Modelled a NACA 4313 finite wing across an angle-of-attack sweep, using mesh sensitivity and Hessian-based adaptive refinement. Compared CFD predictions with theory, turbulence and boundary-layer validation methods.

78%

Coursework mark

~3.6M

Elements investigated

NACA 4313

Finite wing

−4° → 10°

AoA sweep

ANSYS FluentMesh ConvergenceTurbulenceValidation

Explore the analysis →

NACA0020 pressure coefficient plots comparing XFOIL with wind-tunnel measurements — Pressure-distribution measurements compared against XFOIL predictions across several angles of attack.

Wind-tunnel testing · Model validation

Experimental Aerodynamics

Ran NACA0020 wind-tunnel tests and processed pressure data in Python, including numerical integration. Compared measurements with XFOIL and XFLR5 to evaluate where simplified models diverged from experiment.

Wind tunnel

Experimental method

XFOIL

Aerofoil model

XFLR5

Finite-wing model

Python

Data processing

NACA0020Pressure MeasurementData AnalysisXFLR5

Explore the experiment →

Students beside Cranfield University’s instrumented Saab 340B+ Flying Laboratory — The flying laboratory at Cranfield University.

Flight experimental methods · June 2026

Cranfield Flying Laboratory

Participated as a student flight-test observer aboard Cranfield University’s instrumented Saab 340B+ Flying Laboratory, recording performance, stability and dynamic-behaviour data for later Year 3 analysis.

Saab 340B+

Instrumented aircraft

Flight test

Practical setting

Year 3

Analysis to come

Flight TestingAircraft PerformanceStabilityData

View the activity →

Technical skills

Tools, methods and practical capability

A grouped view of the tools and processes I have used across university projects, laboratory work and hands-on builds. Skills link to the evidence behind them where a detailed project exists.

Aerodynamics & Simulation

Analysis methods grounded in theory, computation and experiment.

ANSYS Fluent / CFD XFOIL / XFLR5 Experimental aerodynamics Boundary-layer analysis Wind-tunnel testing Mesh-convergence studies

CAD & Engineering

From requirements and drawings through to manufacturable designs.

SolidWorks Engineering drawings / BS 8888 OpenVSP Solid Edge Design for manufacture Mechanical design

Manufacturing & Prototyping

Practical workshop processes supported by hands-on training.

Milling Turning / machining 3D printing Sheet-metal work Riveting Soldering / silver soldering Electrical wiring / systems integration Laser cutting Rapid prototyping

Programming & Technical

Using code and technical software to model, analyse and build.

Python / NumPy / SciPy Matplotlib C++ / ESP32 Swift / SwiftUI Control-system modelling Embedded systems / REST APIs

Education & academic performance

University of Southampton — Aeronautics & Astronautics

Strong academic performance supporting a practical, evidence-led engineering approach, with an Aerodynamics specialism.

2024–Current

MEng Aerospace & Astronautical Engineering

Aerodynamics specialism · Starting third year in September 2026

75.1%

Year 1 · First Class

73.8%

Year 2 · First Class

Selected relevant modules

Computational Aerodynamics & CFD · Finite Element Analysis & Structural Optimisation · Aircraft Dynamics & Control · Experimental Aerodynamics

Further engineering evidence

More technical and practical work

Additional examples show range across structural analysis, control, embedded systems and constrained physical design.

Wing-shell FEA convergence plots for stress and deflection across mesh sizes — Mesh refinement showed how stress and deflection changed across shell models.

72% · ANSYS APDL

Finite Element Analysis & Structural Optimisation

Progressed from beam and stress-concentration models to 3D wing shells, applying mesh convergence to interpret stress and displacement and investigating material and thickness trade-offs.

72%

Coursework mark

1D → 3D

Model progression

ANSYS APDLFEAMesh ConvergenceWing Shells

View technical work →

Closed-loop aircraft control response comparing P, PD, PID and tuned PID controllers — Controller responses show the effect of tuning the transient behaviour.

Boeing 747 · Python, NumPy, SciPy

Aircraft Dynamics & Control

Modelled Boeing 747 longitudinal dynamics using state-space, transfer-function and zero-pole-gain representations, then tuned P/PD/PID controllers to reduce overshoot from approximately 35% to 9%.

~1%

Short-period agreement

35% → 9%

PID overshoot

State-SpaceFlight DynamicsPID ControlMatplotlib

View technical work →

Completed black 3D-printed Flight Tracker displaying nearby aircraft on its circular green radar screen — Completed Flight Tracker showing the live radar interface.

Independent embedded/software project · October 2026

Real-Time Aircraft Tracking Display

Built an ESP32/C++ aircraft-tracking display using live OpenSky data, HTTPS/OAuth and a custom circular interface, integrating geographic calculations, encoder controls and a 3D-printed enclosure.

ESP32

Embedded platform

C++

Firmware

240×240

Circular TFT UI

C++ESP32Embedded UI3D Printing

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VW Caddy camper conversion showing the finished compact interior — Selected photographs from the VW Caddy camper conversion.

VW Caddy camper slide-out bed system in extended configuration — Selected photographs from the VW Caddy camper conversion.

Personal constrained design and build

VW Caddy Camper Conversion

Designed and built a constrained VW Caddy camper interior for sleeping, bike transport, cooking, storage and off-grid power, integrating a 4S 320 Ah LiFePO4 electrical system.

4S 320 Ah

LiFePO4 system

2 kW

Inverter

SolidWorksPlywood ManufactureElectrical Systems

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Experience & achievements

Responsibility beyond project work

Employment, practical work and wider achievements that demonstrate independent problem solving, teamwork, communication and initiative.

2024–Present

Self-Employed — Property Maintenance & Installation

Completed approximately 50 property maintenance and installation jobs alongside university, independently managing site assessment, quoting, material procurement and delivery. Projects included 20m+ fencing installations and practical redesign or rerouting of guttering and downpipes.

Thame · July 2022

Lucy Group — Design Engineering Work Experience

Designed an adjustable spring-powered launcher in Siemens Solid Edge, varying spring ratio, launch-arm length and mechanical stop position to control trajectory and range; placed first in the work-experience design challenge.

2022–2023

Wheelie Bike Shop — Bicycle Mechanic

Diagnosed, repaired and serviced bicycles, worked directly with customers and was trusted to run the shop independently.

July 2023–April 2024

Shore Medical — Workflow Administrator

Processed clinical correspondence accurately across six GP surgeries using SystmOne, requiring responsibility, process discipline and careful handling of sensitive information.

2025–Present

Monster Energy — Student Ambassador

Support university societies and events alongside university, developing communication and coordination experience.

Service to the School Award

Selected across the school for contribution, reliability, prefect responsibilities and willingness to help across school activities.

Dorset Rotary Technology Tournament — Winner

Engineering and design competition between Dorset schools involving the development of a solution to a defined technical task.

Poole Grammar Design & Technology Prize

Awarded in both Year 10 and Year 13.

Testimonial

“With his enquiring mind, Freddie asks perceptive and pertinent questions, demonstrating a thorough approach to problem-solving and an ability to apply mathematical and scientific principles to identify the core of a problem.

Training & certifications

Supporting qualifications

Practical training and legitimate additional qualifications that support the engineering experience above. Certificate viewers remain available, but this section stays intentionally compact.

CEMAST Engineering Workshop Practical Training

South Hampshire College Group · June 2025

Hands-on engineering training covering turning and machining, sheet-metal work, riveting, soldering and silver soldering, alongside systems-engineering exercises involving switch panels and complex electrical wiring.

View Certificate

AI Fundamentals: Language and Vision in AI

IBM SkillsBuild · Sep 2026

Verify credential (opens in a new tab)

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)

Microsoft / Certiport · 2018–2019

Word 2016 Expert · Excel 2016 · PowerPoint 2016 · Word 2016

Microsoft Office Specialist certifications in Word, Excel and PowerPoint, including the Expert-level Word 2016 qualification.

View certificates+

Office Word 2016 ExpertExpert19 June 2019 · Credential ID 8XX4-uSTn Office Excel 20163 April 2019 · Credential ID d6yc-XVHb Office Word 201616 January 2019 · Credential ID dYKk-XVHT Office PowerPoint 20167 November 2018 · Credential ID wbwXb-HahK

CEMAST practical engineering workshop training completed June 2025: turning, machining, soldering, silver soldering, riveting, sheet metal work, switch panels and complex wiring.

Additional qualification

RYA Powerboat Level 2

Additional practical qualification.

Full CV & next step

Seeking Summer 2027 Aerospace Engineering Internships

Particularly interested in aerodynamics, design, simulation, testing and multidisciplinary engineering roles.

Download CV Contact Freddie