Ian Brueggeman
Hey! I'm Ian Brueggeman, a Mechanical Engineering student at South Dakota State University.
I design, build, and compete.
I previously:
- Designed smart-glasses hardware at Build.ai: concept to mass manufacturing in Shenzhen
- Earned a patent for smart wearable device system with power-optimized image capture
- Won the VEX Robotics World Championship twice (10,000+ teams)
- Founded the JACKS VEX U team at SDSU: Excellence Award at Worlds, 2nd in global skills, raised $50K+ in funding
- Won Autodesk Make It Real CAD Challenge (National Champion 2022, 2× National Finalist)
- Founded ENEN Design: $16K+ revenue in 2025 with 6-printer in-house manufacturing setup
- Invented a new type of differential cycloidal gearbox, reducing part count by a third
- Designed a 7-DOF robotic arm
- Designed a custom molded silicone UMI device
- Designed wrist cameras for human data capture
- Redesigned the CNC back-panel drill at Showplace Cabinetry
- Designed and fabricated multiple 3lb combat robots
Things I've designed:
I believe:
- The best way to learn is by building
- Good engineering is simple, elegant, and functional
- Competition brings out the best in people
Currently exploring opportunities in mechanical engineering, robotics, and product design.