About Me

Analytical | Determined | Passionate | Team-Oriented.
My work is driven by a singular goal: to leverage my skills in machine learning, algorithms, and hardware to become a world-class roboticist and create technology that positively impacts humanity.

Contact Details

Thomas Stephen Felix
+1 (445) 900-8432
stfelix@seas.upenn.edu

GitHub   LinkedIn

Education

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, USA
Master's of Science in Engineering (Robotics) May 2026

  • Registered Courses
    • • Introduction to Robotics
    • • Linear Systems Theory
    • • Control and Optimization with Application in Robotics
    • • Advanced Robotics
    • • Learning in Robotics
    • • Modern Convex Optimization
    • • Principles of Deep Learning

Nanyang Technological University

Singapore
Bachelor's in Computer Engineering June 2021

  • Honors (Distinction) & Nanyang Technological University Science and Technology Scholar
  • Achieved Distinction in
    • • Digital Signal Processing
    • • Data Structures
    • • Digital Communications
  • Elective Focus : Artificial Intelligence & High-Performance Computing
  • Relevant Coursework: Embedded Programming, Machine Learning, Computer Vision, Advanced Topics in Algorithms, Neural Network & Deep Learning, Software Engineering

Certifications

Coursera & Udemy

  • Algorithms Specialization by Stanford Online
    • • Greedy Algorithms, Minimum Spanning Trees, and Dynamic Programming
    • • Divide and Conquer, Sorting and Searching, and Randomized Algorithms
    • • Graph Search, Shortest Paths, and Data Structure
    • • Shortest Paths Revisited, NP-Complete Problems and What To Do About Them
  • Robotics Specialization by University of Pennsylvania
    • • Aerial Robotics
    • • Computational Motion Planning
    • • Mobility
    • • Estimation and Learning
    • • Capstone
  • ROS
    • • ROS For Beginners (ROS Noetic, Melodic, Kinetic)
    • • ROS for Beginners: Basics, Motion, and OpenCV
    • • ROS for Beginners II: Localization, Navigation and SLAM

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Work

DAIRLab, University of Pennsylvania, USA

Graduate Research Assistant May 2025 - Present

C3, a leading research project from the DAIRLab, addresses the complex challenge of systems that make and break contact with their environment. The nonlinear dynamics of this problem pose a significant hurdle for traditional methods like MPC and sampling-based approaches. As the lead developer on the project's GitHub repository, I drove key initiatives to professionalize the codebase, with contributions including:

  • • A comprehensive refactor to improve modularity and long-term maintainability.
  • • The implementation of CI/CD pipelines to streamline testing and deployment.
  • • The creation of robust examples to demonstrate and validate the repository's capabilities.
Building on this work, future efforts at the lab will focus on further developing C3, with the goal of publishing our findings in a reputable journal.

Eureka Robotics, Singapore

Robotics Software Engineer Aug 2022 - Aug 2024

Eureka Robotics is a team of highly talented individuals who have come together to create software and systems for high-accuracy, high-agility (HA-HA) robotic tasks.
Through my role, I gained extensive experience in robotic systems integration, by developing a comprehensive automation solution for industry applications. I led the development of a unified control framework built on C++ and Python, with responsibilities that extended beyond software to include maintaining and deploying hardware systems and ensuring the successful delivery of applications to clients.

My technical skills include:

  • Software Development: Expertise in Python frameworks (PyQT, Dataclasses) and a commitment to robust unit testing.
  • Hardware Integration: Experience in seamless integration of diverse robotic arms (Yamaha, ABB, KUKA, Mitsubishi),cameras, grippers, and sliders.
  • DevOps: Proven ability to lead CI/CD pipeline development using Jenkins, Python, and Docker.
  • Robotics Platforms: Proficient in industry-standard vendor software, including ABB RobotStudio and KUKA Sunrise Workbench.

Robert Bosch Security Solutions Pte Ltd, Singapore

Junior Embedded Engineer July 2021 - Aug 2022

In this role, I was working as the sole embedded engineer on a team developing a full-fledged Access Control System. This product required a versatile skill set due to its diverse architecture, which included both legacy and modern components.
My responsibilities had been two-fold:

  • Maintaining Legacy Systems and extended the functionality of older systems written in Assembly and Embedded C.
  • Developing New Systems to provide market-driven solutions using modern frameworks like C++ and RTOS (Real-Time Operating Systems).

This dual role required me to handle a wide range of tasks, from interfacing a facial recognition service over a TCP/IP socket on Red Hat, Linux to replacing an outdated fingerprint recognition module via UART. This experience has prepared me to work effectively under pressure and deliver timely, reliable results, regardless of the challenge.

Robert Bosch (South East Asia) Pte Ltd, Singapore

Software Engineering Intern January 2020 — August 2020

My role during this internship included closely working with the testing team. We followed the agile methodology of software development and I made use of python frameworks such as PyTest, Selenium & Appium in order to automate the functionalities of a web application. My biggest takeaway from the internship is the power of a united and talented team all working towards a common goal.

Skills

Learning is one of my fondest interests. Thus, I am constantly on the lookout for new skills and projects to master them; Similar to how I used HTML & CSS for the first time to create this website 😄. Here's an analysis of my top skills:

  • C++
  • Python
  • Embedded C
  • CI/CD
  • Github
  • ROS

Some other skills I have picked up along the way include

Java VPython C# TensorFlow Torch Bazel
goLang Linux OpenCV NumPy PyBind Assembly
Firebase CUDA C Arduino Scikit-learn PyTest Java
Bash MATLAB Drake SciPy GoogleTest Vim

A Statement

The Earth Is What We Have In Common

Spending the first 18 years of my life in Kuwait, I have witnessed first hand the effect of global warming. The steady increase of temperature every year approximating 50 degrees celsius makes it very difficult to live. It falls upon us, the inheriters and tenants of the earth to make a small change so as to create a big impact.

My Inspiration

  • Aim at a 110%

    Ms. Nandita Bhatia
  • If you don't stand for anything, what will you fall for?

    Hamilton
  • Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.

    Winston Churchill
  • Spread love everywhere you go.

    Mother Teresa
  • Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.

    Albert Einstein
  • To try and fail is at least to learn; to fail to try is to suffer the inestimable loss of what might have been.

    Chester Barnard