About
Mechanical Engineer & Robotics Enthusiast.
- Website: www.joshuaknospler.com
- Phone: +973 670 8878
- City: Sparta, NJ
- Degree: Master of Science
- Email: joshua.knospler@gmail.com
- Freelance: Available
I have a strong passion for designing innovative mechanisms and solving complex engineering challenges. Outside of engineering, I enjoy outdoor activities such as spikeball, disc golf, and backpacking. I also like to work on personal projects like building drones and spot welding batteries for my electric longboard. I excel in both team settings and when working independently, consistently ensuring tasks are completed efficiently. My excellent time management and self-driven approach help me stay focused and achieve my goals.
Skills
With a strong foundation in mechanical design and engineering, I have developed a versatile skill set across various tools and technologies, enabling me to tackle complex projects and deliver innovative solutions.
Mechanical Design
Prototyping & Manufacturing
Embedded & Controls
Analysis & Simulation
Robotics & Systems
Tools & Infrastructure
Resume
Experienced engineer with a diverse skill set in mechanical design and prototyping, proficient in applying advanced tools and technologies to solve complex engineering challenges and drive innovative solutions. Strong interest and years of experience in design work, wearables, and robotics.
Sumary
Joshua Knospler
Driven and hardworking engineer with 4+ years of experience in research and design.
- Sparta, NJ 07871
- (973) 670 8878
- joshua.knospler@gmail.com
Education
Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
2023 - Current
Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ
Graduate research fellow on thesis track. Developing a modular, reconfigurable, pneumatically driven soft robotic actuator for versitle grasping, locomotion, and variable siffness capabilites.
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
2020 - 2023
Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ
Pursued degree in mechanical engineering. Worked on multiple team and research-based engineering projects. Graduated with honors and awarded the Tirupathi Reddy Chandrupatla Award for Excellence in Mechanical Engineering.
Associate of Science
2019 - 2020
Sussex County Community College, Newton, NJ
NJ Star Student. Received my degree 1 year after graduating high school before transfering to Rowan Unviersity.
Experience
Mechanical Engineer | Mechatronic System Design & Integration
March 2025 - Present
Knos Labs, Sparta, NJ
- Design and build electromechanical systems for clients by integrating microcontrollers, actuators, sensors, and vacuum- and motor-driven mechanisms with embedded firmware and custom control software for intelligent, remotely operated systems.
- Lead end-to-end system integration, including CAD-based mechanical design, additive and subtractive manufacturing, embedded software development, electronics integration, and testing to deliver reliable, application-ready prototypes.
Research Engineer, Modular Soft Robotic Actuators
May 2022 - Present
Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ
- Designed and fabricated reconfigurable soft robotic actuators with custom mechanical, pneumatic, and electrical connectors to enable adaptive locomotion and manipulation, using custom mold design, 3D printing, and custom PCB integration.
- Conducted system-level testing to validate actuator performance and reliability across multiple configurations.
- Authored and presented peer-reviewed technical publications on actuator design and system integration at two IEEE conferences and two peer-reviewed journals.
Adjunct Instructor
September 2024 - December 2024
Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ
- Delivered an introductory SolidWorks course to first-year engineering students, teaching parametric modeling, assembly techniques, and simulation tools.
Research Assistant, Smart Bio Cooling Device
May 2022 - September 2022
Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ
- Responsible for independently researching and designing a thermoelectric method of bio cooling to effectively cool inflamed tissue by utilizing heat transfer principles to dissipate generated heat.
- Created an interactive graphical user interface using Processing for temperature data transfer to and from device.
Mechanical Engineer Intern
June 2021 - August 2021
Tracer Imaging LLC, Ossining, NY
- Assisted in the assembly and testing of PLC-controlled conveyor control boxes for automated assembly lines, including sheet metal modification, electrical wiring, and functional verification under tight deadlines.
- Prepared components, built wiring assemblies, and inspected completed units to support reliable PLC system operation.
Publications
Here are my key research contributions and published works in mechanical engineering and robotics, showcasing innovative projects and findings that highlight my expertise in design, prototyping, and soft robotics. These contributions demonstrate my dedication to advancing the field through impactful research.
Reconfigurable modular soft robots with modulating stiffness and versatile task capabilities
Authors: Joshua Knospler, Wei Xue, Mitja Trkov
Published in: Smart Materials and Structures, 2024
Summary:The paper presents modular, reconfigurable soft robots that can change their morphology and adjust stiffness for versatile task performance, such as object handling and operational tasks. The robots achieve reconfiguration through pneumatically driven actuators with integrated permanent magnets and coils (PMC), allowing easy rearrangement into various configurations. The system's versatility is demonstrated with ManusBot, a hand-like structure capable of individual actuation, enabling enhanced object manipulation and adaptability to various objects' shapes, sizes, and weights.
Download PDF
TendrilBot: Modular soft robot with versatile radial grasping and locomotion capabilities
Authors: Joshua Knospler, Wei Xue, Mitja Trkov
Published in: Sensors and Actuators A: Physical, 2024
Summary: This paper introduces a modular, reconfigurable soft robot capable of modulating radial stiffness and enhancing grasping functionality for versatile tasks. The robot utilizes a unique interlocking mechanism with permanent magnets and coils (PMC) for adjustable inter-module connections, enabling both planar and spatial configurations. Through experimental testing, the paper demonstrates the robot's capabilities in radial grasping, stiffness modulation, multi-degree-of-freedom manipulation, and locomotion, alongside the development of a data-driven model that captures the actuator's mechanical performance.
MagBot: Reconfigurable Modular Soft Pneumatic Actuators with Tunable Magnetic Connection Mechanism
Authors: Joshua Knospler, Wei Xue, Mitja Trkov
Published in: Advanced Intelligent Mechatronics, 2024
Summary: This paper presents a reconfigurable modular soft robotic actuator designed for versatile tasks, featuring an innovative inter-unit connection mechanism using magnets that can reverse polarity on demand. This flexible, articulated mechanism enables easy reconfiguration and multi-actuator assembly, allowing complex spatial configurations and reducing operational complexity. The paper also characterizes the mechanical performance of the actuators and their connection system through experiments, showcasing their reconfiguration capabilities and enhanced functionality.
Download PDF
A Shared Electrical-Pneumatic and Reversible Locking Intermodule Connector for Modular Robots
Authors: Joshua Knospler, Wei Xue, Mitja Trkov
Published in: Advanced Inteligent Mechatronics, 2024
Summary: This paper introduces two innovative connectors, PAC (Power, Air, Communication) and MagLink (Magnetic Link), designed to improve interconnectivity in modular robots. The PAC connector consolidates air, power, and communication in a single housing, simplifying integration and reducing wiring complexity, while MagLink features a low-power, reversible magnetic locking mechanism for secure, robust connections. The study characterizes both connectors' performance in terms of pressure, airflow, strength, and power consumption, demonstrating their potential to advance self-reconfigurable modular robots with high force-to-weight and strength-to-power ratios.
Download PDF
Realizing Modular Self-reconfiguring Soft Robots through Inter-module Communication and Model Checking
Authors: Joshua Knospler, Nicholas Paglioca Wei Xue, Mitja Trkov
Published in: RoboSoft, 2025
Summary: This paper presents a modular self-reconfiguring soft robotic system that utilizes inter-module communication and transition system-based abstraction for safe autonomous reconfiguration planning. The system is composed of pneumatic actuators connected via electromechanical locking and PAC connectors, enabling both pneumatic and electrical connections. An algorithm is developed to compute reachable reconfigurations through model checking, and experimental validation confirms the successful reconfiguration of the system, providing insights for future autonomous planning and control of modular soft robots.
Download PDFPortfolio
Here highlights a selection of projects and research that demonstrate expertise in mechanical design, soft robotics, prototyping, and simulations. They showcases innovative approaches to problem-solving, from the development of advanced soft actuators to the manufacturing of gear and ratchet mechanism. These projects reflect my ability to design, test, and refine complex systems, while continuously pushing the boundaries of engineering to enhance functionality and versatility in real-world applications.
Contact
I’m currently open to engineering roles and collaborative opportunities. If you’re seeking a motivated engineer with hands-on design and prototyping experience, I’d welcome the opportunity to connect.
Location:
Sparta, NJ 07871
Email:
joshua.knospler@gmail.com
Call:
+1 973 670 8878