Hi, I’m Justin Zacharia. Ever since I was little, I have been interested in how things work. If it involves mechanical systems or a chance to build something, I’m drawn to it instantly. Growing up, I have always been interested in engineering. Whether it was taking apart everyday objects, sketching ideas for rides, or learning how to make something work just a little better. That led to a passion for roller coasters, engineering projects, and building real systems with my own hands.

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Today, I’m a Mechanical Engineering student at Purdue University and a member of the John Martinson Honors College majoring in mechanical engineering with a minor in themed entertainment design. My background consists of CAD modeling in SolidWorks, Fusion and Siemens NX, CNC machining, laser cutting, product data management, and rapid prototyping. My internship with Bohler strengthened my technical precision from the civil engineering side by working on site plans, truck turn analyses, construction documents, and concept layouts for large-scale developments like Costco, Brookfield and Walmart.

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I’m also involved in the Theme Park Engineering & Design Club at Purdue, where I’ve worked on coaster themed design challenges, concept generation, and engineering documentation. Theme park engineering is my long term goal, from designing attractions and solving unique mechanical problems, to creating safe, thrilling, and story driven experiences for guests.

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Outside the classroom, I’ve invested hundreds of hours in leadership and service, from tutoring younger students, to teaching piano to students of all ages through non-profit organizations. These roles have improved my communication, teamwork, and project management skills which I carry into every engineering challenge.

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Every day, I’m excited to learn more, take on new problems, and push myself toward a career in ride engineering whether I’m building, analyzing, designing, or dreaming up the next project that brings people joy.