Working with the Lehigh Underwater Robotics team gave Nate Snyder '26 the chance to dive into the kinds of complex projects that he finds truly rewarding.
As part of a Mountaintop Summer Experience project, the computer engineering major played a significant role in the team's electrical engineering group, contributing to the development of autonomous underwater vehicles capable of navigating intricate obstacle courses.
With guidance from the club's advisor, Yahong Rosa Zheng, a professor of electrical and computer engineering, Snyder designed circuits to safely deliver power to the vehicle, and to connect the vehicle's sensors, cameras, and thrusters to its NVIDIA Jetson computer—a compact processor that serves as the "brain" of the drone, enabling it to autonomously navigate underwater environments.
Snyder and his team also built printed circuit boards (PCBs) as a side project to explore additional capabilities.
"The practical skills I gained are invaluable," he says.
Snyder says he was drawn to the field of computer engineering—specifically the dynamic intersection of hardware and software—because of his desire to understand the intricate physics behind how computers operate while gaining hands-on experience in both software development and hardware design.
"Computer engineering gives you that deep dive into both worlds—how technology works on a fundamental level and how it can be applied practically," he says. And whether it’s lab work or involvement in various engineering clubs, Snyder seizes every chance to expand his technical expertise through experiential learning.
"Lehigh offers such a great environment for hands-on experiences,” he says. “The labs here allow us to work with the latest technologies, and it’s really helped me apply what I learn in class to real-world scenarios."
Snyder's hands-on experience with the Lehigh Underwater Robotics team paved the way to an internship with Stantec, a global engineering consulting firm, where he tackled real-world challenges in power systems engineering. There, he worked on a team focused on designing protection and control schemes—specifically relay schemes that build redundancy into the power grid, ensuring resilience against unexpected events and system failures. He got involved in projects at Stantec including both creating new substations from the ground up and modernizing existing ones by replacing outdated components.
"The work I did at Stantec was very similar to the work I did with Lehigh Underwater Robotics, just on a much larger scale," he says. Starting as a freshman, being able to get involved with LUR gave me the hands-on experience that allows for a smoother transition to the workforce."
Although Snyder has successfully found his calling, he also realizes not everyone has that kind of clarity when it comes to choosing an engineering discipline and identifying their passions. As a Rossin Junior Fellow, Snyder serves as a mentor, leader, and advocate for prospective engineers, helping students explore what's possible through an engineering education.
"What motivated me to join RJF was the opportunity to guide students who might be unsure of their path, especially in fields like computer engineering, which are more niche," he says.
Through outreach events, Snyder and his fellow Rossin Junior Fellows volunteer at university open houses, community events, and campus visits, welcoming anyone curious about engineering. They serve as ambassadors for their individual departments and for the Rossin College, sharing insights into the academic and career opportunities that come with studying engineering.
Rossin College students who are interested in the program should inquire through their specific department.
"Helping admitted students get a sense of what life as an engineering student is really like has been one of my favorite parts of RJF," says Snyder, who skillfully balances these extra responsibilities with his rigorous academic workload through effective time management and sheer dedication. "Honestly, it's never been stressful—I'm always happy to volunteer and give back."
Snyder's leadership experience doesn't stop with RJF. He's also served as a gryphon (resident assistant) and mentored students through Lehigh's Summer Engineering Institute, where he helped high school students explore various engineering disciplines.
"Being able to share my journey and help students discover what excites them is really fulfilling."
—Safwan Hoque ’26 is a Rossin Junior Fellow and a student writer for the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science
