About Me
My name is Joe Williams, and I am a Mechanical Engineering student at Northeastern University’s College of Engineering with minors in Mathematics and Business Administration. I will graduate in May 2025. Before pursuing my degree, I served as an active-duty Marine, an experience that shaped my problem-solving approach and commitment to working on meaningful, high-impact projects.
My passion for engineering began with my hobbies. At 16, I developed an interest in troubleshooting, rebuilding, and rewiring small engines while restoring 1980s Honda motorcycles. This early hands-on experience sparked my curiosity about how machines function, leading me to take on increasingly complex projects. Since then, I have expanded my expertise beyond engines, building a quadcopter and fixed-wing drones, as well as a homemade hybrid-drive bicycle. Along the way, I have taught myself to work with electronics, from microcontrollers to solar cells, and developed skills in soldering and welding.
Beyond hands-on fabrication, I am dedicated to mastering design and 3D printing, applying these skills to both academic projects and practical, real-world applications. My experiences - both in the classroom and through independent projects - have shaped me into a well-rounded engineer, an analytical thinker, and a resourceful problem solver.
Professional Goals
I am driven to design and oversee the manufacturing of innovative products that make a tangible difference, harnessing America’s longstanding spirit of technological leadership. As a former Marine, I am especially motivated to advance solutions that enhance our troops’ safety and capabilities, giving them the best possible chance to succeed in any environment. By embracing bold visions and upholding exacting standards, I aim to contribute to the cutting edge of American ingenuity—whether on the front lines or in the frontier of space exploration.
Military Experience
I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 2016 as a Field Radio Operator (later designated Tactical Transmission Operator) and was assigned to the 9th Communication Battalion at Camp Pendleton, California. In 2018, I deployed with a Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force (SPMAGTF) to the United Arab Emirates for Native Fury, a strategic show-of-force mission. My role was to establish and maintain both internal and external, short- and long-range communication systems, ensuring reliable connectivity for mission success.
Upon returning, I was promoted to Corporal, the first of the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) ranks, and graduated first in my class at Corporals Course, where I was selected as Company Guide by the First Sergeant—an honor recognizing leadership and excellence. Over the next year, I trained and mentored junior Marines, refining my ability to lead and instruct technical teams. Following a competitive selection process, I was meritoriously promoted to Sergeant.
I was then reassigned to a unit in need of a Sergeant and Radio Operator for an upcoming deployment. As part of H&S Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I deployed with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), headquartered at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. While aboard the USS America (LHA 6), I led a squad of Marines through extensive training operations, including amphibious assault simulations alongside Thai Marines. After the seven-month deployment, I was stationed on the U.S.-Mexico border in Southern California, where I led my team in supporting U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
I separated from the Marine Corps in 2020 after being accepted into Northeastern University but remain actively involved in local veteran organizations. My military experience instilled in me the ability to analyze complex systems, lead technical teams, and perform under high-stakes conditions - skills I now apply in engineering environments.