Andrew Esteves ’24 is building a career at the forefront of robotics, combining hands-on engineering experience with a strong theoretical foundation developed during his time at the University of Hartford. A robotics engineering major with minors in mathematics, cybersecurity, and computer science, Andrew graduated last year prepared to tackle complex, real-world engineering challenges.
As a student, Andrew immersed himself in experiential learning opportunities across campus. He was highly involved with Hartford Racing, serving as the team’s electrical lead. In this role, he designed and built wiring harnesses for the team’s race car, created schematics, performed welding and machining tasks, assisted with engine tuning, and helped set up engine test stands, gaining valuable cross-disciplinary engineering experience.
Andrew also contributed to the University’s NASA Eclipse Ballooning Project, where he supported the design and construction of a data acquisition system used to measure environmental and atmospheric variables such as radiation, luminosity, humidity, and temperature. His interest in advanced sensing technologies extended into undergraduate research with Professor Akin Tatoglu, where he helped evaluate the accuracy limits of various LiDAR odometry and mapping methods. The project examined how LiDAR-based systems, using laser reflections to map and track movement, perform under different conditions, deepening Andrew’s understanding of perception and navigation systems in robotics.
In his senior year, Andrew’s capstone project brought his skills together through work on the HART humanoid robot in Robotic Engineering Program Director Kiwon Sohn’s lab. Tasked with improving the robot’s physical design and autonomous driving capabilities, Andrew designed an object detection algorithm from scratch to identify intersections in camera images. This innovation enabled more precise turning and improved overall autonomous performance.
This month, Andrew is taking the next step in his career as an electrical test engineer at Boston Dynamics, a global leader in advanced robotics. Previously, he worked as a systems engineer at Symbotic, a robotics company specializing in warehouse automation. While stationed at customer sites, he played a key role in optimizing robotic systems by addressing overtravel and mechanical issues, tuning PLC parameters, and reducing common system faults. His streamlining efforts helped elevate one installation to become the top-performing system across the entire Symbotic network.
Andrew credits UHart with preparing him for industry by balancing theory with practical application. “Knowing theory is one thing, but being able to apply it in real-world scenarios is what companies look for,” he says. Coursework in CAD modeling and PLC logic, paired with extensive club involvement, gave him the confidence and skill set to stand out early in his career.
One of the most lasting lessons Andrew took from UHart was learning how to approach the unknown. Stepping into leadership roles, especially as Hartford Racing’s electrical lead, taught him that not having all the answers is part of the process. “As long as you’re willing to learn and push forward, you gain confidence in tackling new challenges,” he reflects.
Looking ahead, Andrew plans to continue his education and has already been accepted into graduate programs at Purdue University and Northeastern University, with additional decisions pending. He intends to pursue a master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering, further strengthening his expertise in robotics and autonomous systems.
For current students aspiring to work in robotics, Andrew offers simple but powerful advice: get involved and try everything. “Robotics requires knowledge of electrical systems, mechanical systems, and software,” he explains. “The more broadly knowledgeable you are, the more valuable you become, especially as someone who can bridge gaps between engineering teams and bring projects together.”
Andrew Esteves ’24, College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture AlumRobotics requires knowledge of electrical systems, mechanical systems, and software. The more broadly knowledgeable you are, the more valuable you become, especially as someone who can bridge gaps between engineering teams and bring projects together.