Our Departments
Engineering
The engineering department is a combination of two subteams which work together to build and design the robot. Prior to build season both subteams hold curriculum meetings to teach members how to operate the shop tools, as well as how to use CAD programs. They also teach basic design processes to the entire team so that everyone is able to help with the final design. During build season the engineering department is responsible for designing and building the robot within the given timeframe. After building the robot, build members are some of the main people in the pit so that they can fix whatever issues may arise during the competition.
Software
The software department is responsible for writing all the code for the robot. We start by teaching new members how to use Java and introduce them to the tools we use to code, such as VSCode. During build season, we write the code for the robot. This includes not only basic driving and manipulator control, but also image recognition, motion profiling, and more. We also test the robot, making sure that everything works well, before giving it to drive team. The software department also teams up with the engineering department to build the electronics board, which contains the components necessary to power the robot.
Strategy
Business
The business department has a wide range of responsibilities over the course of the year. To start the year off, the business department focuses on finding sponsors for the team, as well as applying for the many grants which are available to FRC teams. During this time the department also runs a competition within the team for that year’s logo. Before and during build season the department processes purchase requests for the different materials that the team needs. Throughout the entire year the business department works with the communications lead to keep communication aligned with the team branding, which the business department also creates and manages.
Leadership Team
We’re currently in the middle of electing new leadership for the 2020-2021 season, we’ll have people back up here again soon!
COMMS. LEAD
Eric Daniel
CAPTAIN
Quinn Roberts
PROJECT MANAGER
Athena Crowther
Department Leads
BUSINESS LEAD
Tim Warber
BUILD LEAD
Ari Snyder
DESIGN LEAD
Reid Estberg
SOFTWARE LEAD
Alex Fischman
STRATEGY LEAD
Jenelle Ng
Our Mentors
We thank all our mentors for being amazing people, as well as all the support they have given us!
Karl Ruff
HEAD COACH
This will be updated once Karl writes a bio for this website.
John Luetke
HEAD COACH & SOFTWARE MENTOR
I participated in FiRST Robotics during my high school years as a member of Team 1097, Site 3 Engineering and helped found the Iron Riders in 2011, after moving to Seattle. I primarily mentor the software aspect of the Iron Riders as well as leadership skills. I studied Computer Science at Marquette University and Human Centered Design and Engineering at the University of Washington.
Andrew Fitz Gibbon
SOFTWARE MENTOR
Having gone to a high school with no robotics team, I find the whole FIRST experience an amazing way to get people interested in technology. I received my undergraduate Computer Science degree from a small liberal arts college in Indiana, which has led me to appreciate FIRST’s “More than Robotics” slogan. Since 2013, I’ve helped mentor the Iron Riders in Software, leadership, business, and general “being a member of a technical team.”
Andy Davidson
SOFTWARE MENTOR
The prior CS teacher in Room 317 at RHS (and co-founder of the Iron Riders), I am now a professor at the UW, teaching in the department of Human Centered Design and Engineering. My contribution to the team these days is just hosting the annual kickoff event in January on the UW campus.
Thea Flowers
SOFTWARE MENTOR
I am a maker and open-source software advocate. I work as an engineer at Google and I’m deeply involvement in the Python programming community. I’m here to help mentor the Iron Riders on all aspects of being ideas to life – software, electronics, prototyping, and a little bit of magic.
Phil Fritzsche
SOFTWARE MENTOR
This will be updated once Phil writes his bio for the website.
Jordan Macias
ENGINEERING & SOFTWARE MENTOR
I’m a recent engineering graduate from the University of Washington with a variety of knowledge in electronics, prototyping, computer programming and shop work. I had the privilege of being a student for 4180’s inaugural year, and now am back to help the team in any way I can!
Jacob Erickson
ENGINEERING MENTOR
Graduated UW Aeronautical & Astronautical Engineering 2013. I have spent my professional career in startups gaining a jack-of-all-trades master-of-none type experience. I’ve worked in the medical device industry the past few years. I am a Bear Metal 2046 alum and have been with the Iron Riders since the 2016 season.
Daniel Zhu
ENGINEERING MENTOR
I am a full-time sophomore in Pre-Engineering at the UW, with an intent to major in mechanical engineering. My skill set is mainly centered around hardware and design; I am proficient in using most basic hand tools (drills, saws, files, etc.) as well as some more complex machinery, including but not limited to: manual and CNC vertical mills, manual lathes, manual and CNC plasma arc cutters, drill presses, and horizontal and vertical bandsaws. On the design side, I know how to use Solidworks ca. 2013-2015 in conjunction with Mastercam for CNC use, and I am slowly and somewhat painfully learning Autodesk Inventor 2016. Additionally, I am versed in Microsoft Word and more importantly Microsoft Excel for use in game analysis and FMEA, which is risk analysis. I can also help with project management shenanigans, it’d depend on the situation.
I am originally from Corvallis, OR. This is my 7th year in FIRST; 2 years in FLL, and 4 years on FRC Team 997, Spartan Robotics. I’ve done some odd-end volunteering for FLL and FTC events, and have mentored 4 FLL teams in the past. Simultaneously. It was interesting. On the rare occasion where I am not loaded with homework, I enjoy taking strolls around the UW campus, exploring Seattle in general, playing the violin, and practicing archery at the UW IMA.
Marisa Shewmaker
ENGINEERING MENTOR
This will be updated once Marisa writes her bio for the website.
James Gladden
ENGINEERING MENTOR
This will be updated once James writes his bio for the website.