Student in Systems Engineering @ Illinois Grainger Engineering
Most recent: Robotics Engineering Intern @ Lightspeed
Caden DeGroot
I turn ideas into real, functional things.
Systems Engineering & Design student at the University of Illinois, building practical, user-focused things where engineering, design, and code meet fabrication — CAD, 3D printing, full-stack code, and a bit of LLM automation.
Experience
01 / where I've beenRobotics Engineering Intern
Lightspeed · Northbrook, ILHands-on, real-world engineering and system-level problem-solving on AI-powered construction robotics. Lead developer on OpenFrame — parsing industry design formats, building interactive 3D visualization, and applying LLM automation to turn design files into machine-ready fabrication output.
2026
Built and maintain a custom website from scratch in HTML & CSS, and produce all branded marketing materials for the family practice.
Member — iRobotics UIUC · Grainger Engineering AUG 2025 — PRESENTDesigning and 3D-printing combat robots and running student outreach for the club.
Project Manager — VEX Robotics Glenbrook South High School 2020 — 2024 · State Skills 3rd (2023)Led the team as project manager — coordinating design, build, and competition strategy. Placed 3rd in Illinois at the VEX Skills state competition.
Also involved: SPARK — dorm community events & programming (2024–2026).
2024
Things I've Built
02 / projectsOpenFrame
Lightspeed · Robotics InternshipA full-stack tool that parses industry construction formats (IFC, BTLX, YAML), renders them in an interactive 3D viewer, and applies LLM-powered automation to turn design files into machine-ready fabrication output — connecting digital design to the shop floor.
Combat Robots
iRobotics · UIUCDesigning and 3D-printing combat robots with the iRobotics team at Grainger — iterating on drivetrain and armor in CAD, then fabricating parts in-house. Also drive student outreach and engagement for the club.
Lunar Water-Propelled Rocketry
Glenbrook South · CapstoneDesigned and 3D-printed a functional rocket-launcher prototype for a defined user group, then ran cost, outsourcing, and profit-margin analysis to test scalability — packaged with a full go-to-market: landing page, social plan, and demo video.
DeGroot Eye Care — Web & Brand
Marketing ManagerBuilt and maintain the family business website from the ground up in HTML & CSS, translating business needs into a clean, user-friendly platform — plus custom-designed promotional materials: door hangers, yard signs, and business cards.
What I Work With
03 / tools & skillsWhere it started
04 / maker archiveBefore the internships and CAD servers, there was a garage full of Arduino, foil circuits, and half-finished builds. The habit of turning ideas into physical things started here.
Let's build something real.
Always open to connecting with students, engineers, and anyone who likes turning ideas into functional outcomes. Reach out.