Fabio Nunez Del Prado
Mechanical Engineer
Columbia University · B.S. Mechanical Engineering
I design and buildelectric vehicles.
Vehicle engineering, DFM optimization, and hands-on prototyping. Currently building at Olympian Motors (YC).
Featured Work
A selection of engineering projects showcasing vehicle design, manufacturing optimization, and hands-on prototyping.
Olympian Motors Model 84 & O1
Led the prototype build and execution across chassis, powertrain and interior. Delivered a fully assembled vehicle 2.5 weeks ahead of schedule through DFM-driven redesigns and coordinated fabrication of 90+ custom parts.
DFM Dashboard Redesign
Engineered aluminum-inlaid wood dashboard redesign that reduced part count from 21 to 12 parts and cut assembly time by 37.5%, significantly improving manufacturability.
Manufacturing Operations Scaling
Enhanced manufacturing workflows by translating engineering roadmap into investor milestones, scaling production from 2 to 5 vehicles per quarter through improved staged fixtures and supplier capacity.
About Me
I'm a Mechanical Engineer graduating from Columbia University in May 2025, with a passion for building things that move. My experience spans vehicle engineering, thermal systems design, and hands-on prototyping.
At Olympian Motors (Y Combinator), I led prototype builds for electric vehicles, working across chassis, powertrain, and interior systems. I thrive at the intersection of design and manufacturing—finding elegant solutions that are both functional and buildable.
Previously, I served as Powertrain Chief and Thermal Systems Lead at Columbia Formula SAE, where I led a 50-member team in designing drivetrain and cooling systems for our electric race car.
When I'm not engineering, you can find me exploring LA's food scene or tinkering with personal projects in my garage.
Education
Columbia University
B.S. Mechanical Engineering
May 2025
Experience
From Y Combinator startups to Formula SAE racing, I've built vehicles, optimized systems, and led engineering teams.
Olympian Motors
Y CombinatorVehicle Engineer
Los Angeles, CA · Jan 2024 - Sep 2025
- •Led prototype build of Model 84 and Model O1 across chassis, powertrain and interior
- •Reduced dashboard part count from 21 to 12 parts, cutting assembly time by 37.5%
- •Coordinated fabrication of 90 custom parts with third-party manufacturers
- •Scaled production from 2 to 5 vehicles per quarter
Columbia Formula SAE
Powertrain Chief & Thermal Systems Lead
New York, NY · Jan 2022 - Jun 2024
- •Led 50-member powertrain team in mechanical design of drivetrain, cooling system, and HV enclosure
- •Improved cooling-system efficiency by 26% through airflow-path design and ducting optimization
- •Performed FEA and fatigue analysis on drivetrain components, validating FOS > 3
- •Redesigned HV accumulator enclosure for improved manufacturability and water tightness
Tishman Speyer
Energy Engineering & Sustainability Intern
New York, NY · Jun 2023 - Aug 2023
- •Optimized building-scale chilled-water systems, saving $75k/year across 18 buildings
- •Reduced pump energy use by 8% and peak demand by 12%
- •Created standardized pump-sizing tool adopted across 4 sites, cutting engineering time by 73%
Loop Aerospace
Mechanical Design Engineer Intern
Santa Clarita, CA · Mar 2020 - Sep 2021
- •Designed FAA-PMA composite aircraft components in AutoCAD and Fusion 360
- •Incorporated manufacturability and assembly constraints into part geometry
Skills
A toolkit built through hands-on engineering, from CAD design to fabrication floor.
CAD & Design
Manufacturing & Prototyping
Programming & Analysis
Systems & Testing
Let's Connect
I'm always interested in discussing new opportunities, engineering challenges, or just chatting about vehicles and manufacturing.