Mechanical system design expert joins engineering design program

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Jared Butler will join the Penn State College of Engineering’s School of Engineering Design, Technology, and Professional Programs (SEDTAPP) as an assistant professor of engineering design on Aug. 15.

Prior to joining the engineering design faculty in SEDTAPP, Butler held a research assistant position in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Brigham Young University (BYU). In addition to his research assistant role, Butler also served as a teaching assistant for BYU’s mechanical engineering department’s compliant mechanisms course and as an assistant instructor for the department’s kinematics course. In 2016, Butler spent 14 weeks as an intern at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. He also served as an engineering instructor with Utah Valley University’s School Community University Partnership program, where he designed, structured and taught a pre-first-year student summer course in 2015. Before completing his graduate studies, Butler spent a year as a middle school science teacher.

Butler’s research focuses on mechanical systems design, with specific interests in compliant mechanisms, deployable and stowable systems, origami-based mechanisms and hyper-compact devices.

He is the recipient of a Utah NASA Space Grant Consortium fellowship and is a member of the Sigma Pi Sigma Physics Honor Society.

“While there are many reasons Penn State was by far my top choice, the most appealing thing I have found is a combination of commitment to doing high-impact work without a sense of entitlement or arrogance,” Butler said. “The College of Engineering, SEDTAPP and the engineering design program particularly exemplify this unique combination, evidenced by the value they place on ensuring a sense of community among all its members, from first-year students to faculty. The dedication to high-impact work within such a collaborative and welcoming community is palpable, and I am thrilled at the opportunity to contribute my work to SEDTAPP and Penn State.”

Butler received both his doctoral and master of science degrees in mechanical engineering from BYU and his bachelor of science in physics from Utah State University.

“We are excited to have Jared join the SEDTAPP faculty and contribute to our programs,” said Sven Bilén, head of SEDTAPP and professor of engineering design, electrical engineering and aerospace engineering. “He is passionate about education and high-impact research. His varied background and experiences and his commitment to creating engaging student experiences will advance the mission of SEDTAPP.”