Chance Shepherd

Mechanical Engineering Student

About Me

Hi, I'm Chance Shepherd, a Mechanical Engineering student at Iowa State University. I’m currently a Cell Engineering Intern at Tesla in Austin, TX, designing custom parts and developing Python dashboards to optimize battery cell manufacturing reliability.

Previously, I led the EV Powertrain team for Iowa State’s Formula SAE program, focusing on electric race car development and mentoring future engineers. I have also been at Collins Aerospace (RTX) as an IE-Co-Op and the Mclean county highway department as an Engineering Intern.

I’m passionate about engineering and solving engaging problems. My specialties and interests lie in astronomy, aerospace, automobiles, and acoustic instruments.

Resume

Projects & Experiences

Dobsonian Telescope

View the full project details below:

Formula SAE Powertrain

Recently I retired my role as EV Powertrain Lead for Iowa State’s Formula SAE team. I focused on creating Iowa States first electric race car and managing a team of 25 members. I lead over 20+ meeting and lead 2 internal and 2 external design reviews over the course of being EV Powertrain lead. Since then I have transitioned to a mentorship role, which we call a grandpa, helping foster the next generation of FSAE engineers.

Team Instagram

Lineage

EV Powertrain Grandpa

December 2025 – Present

EV Powertrain Team Lead

June 2025 – December 2025

EV Powertrain Accumulator Mechanical Engineer

Aug 2024 – June 2025

EV Powertrain Member

Aug 2023 – Aug 2024

ME1900: Mechanical Engineering Learning Teams

Peer Mentor, Iowa State University

Aug 2024 – Present

I assist and guide fellow mechanical engineering students with coursework and academic challenges, offering support and advice on time management, study techniques, and university resources. I facilitate group study sessions, workshops, and community-building activities to enhance student engagement.

I also created a studying curriculum for 1st semester Mechanical Engineering students that is now taught to all incoming students taking ME1900, helping them build successful study skills and self-evaluation habits. This lesson titled "How to Study 101" was so successful that it was implemented across the entire Mechanical Engineering department at Iowa State. This means every incoming Iowa State Mechanical Engineering student learns how to study using my lesson!

Skills: Leadership, Mentoring, Mechanical Engineering

Learn more about MELTs at Iowa State