Harshith Motipalli's Experience

Professional Experience

Current/Present Experiences

Undergraduate Research Assistant
George Mason University
Sept 2025 - Present
  • Engineering autonomous ground vehicle software that leverages large language models for intelligent grid layout planning and flight data integration
  • Developing sensor fusion-based navigation and precision marking algorithms that maintain accuracy across challenging terrain conditions
  • Collaborating cross-functionally to prototype, test, and refine autonomous systems for scalable, reliable deployment during live drone events
Co-Founder
Certly.AI
Aug 2024 - Present
  • Developed an AI-powered backend with Python and AWS, integrating machine learning, NLP, and adaptive learning technologies for certification preparation
  • Applied data analytics to generate real-time insights from user telemetry, improving decision-making and performance tracking

Past Experiences

Software Development Intern
South Asian Business Council of Virginia
June 2025 - Aug 2025
  • Collaborated in a fast-paced team environment to design, develop, and deploy Android applications from concept to production release
  • Developed intuitive, user-friendly mobile interfaces using Kotlin, Python, and modern Android development tools and frameworks
  • Contributed to continuous improvement practices by iterating on app performance and user feedback
Lead Cloud Engineer
George Mason University HACKFAX
Oct 2024 - April 2025
  • Automated deployment pipelines and data migration workflows tools using Microsoft Azure, integrated with IAM, NSGs, and telemetry pipelines for scalable cloud operations
  • Developed Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) scripts and documented secure, multi-tier network topologies for repeatable use
  • Incorporated security architecture principles into network design, applying cryptographic methods and IAM security practices
Project Team Lead
Blaze Poker, Ashburn, VA
July 2024 - Sept 2024
  • Led a cross-functional team to develop a multiplayer web-based poker game, successfully integrating frontend (React, HTML, CSS, Javascript) and backend (Typescript, Python, SQL) technologies
  • Engineered an efficient game logic system that enhanced real-time gameplay responsiveness and improved server-client synchronizations, reducing latency by 30%
  • Streamlined project workflows, enhancing collaboration and reducing development bottlenecks
Lead Network Engineer
George Mason University HACKFAX
Nov 2023 - March 2024
  • Engineered and deployed network environments using Cisco Packet Tracer and IOS CLI, including network probes and endpoint configurations similar to Cisco ThousandEyes
  • Performed penetration testing and simulated attacks to validate incident response workflows, integrating results into cybersecurity playbooks
Team Lead
CyberPatriot
Jan 2023 - March 2024
  • Achieved 2x Platinum-Tier Semi-Finalist, placing in the top tier among thousands of global participants
  • Secured and hardened Windows Server and Linux systems, implementing comprehensive security measures

Job Simulations

Deloitte Australia Cyber Job Simulation
Forage
November 2025
  • Completed a job simulation involving reading web activity logs
  • Supported a client in a cyber security breach
  • Answered questions to identify suspicious user activity
Mastercard Cybersecurity Virtual Job Simulation
Forage
November 2025
  • Completed a job simulation where I served as an analyst on Mastercard’s Security Awareness Team
  • Helped identify and report security threats such as phishing
  • Analyzed and identified which areas of the business needed more robust security training and implemented training courses and procedures for those teams
BCG Generative AI Engineer Job Simulation
Forage
November 2025
  • Completed a job simulation involving AI-powered financial chatbot development for BCG's GenAI Consulting team.
  • Gained experience in Python programming, including the use of libraries such as pandas for data manipulation.
  • Integrated and interpreted complex financial data from critical financial reports, employing rule-based logic to create a chatbot that provides user-friendly financial insights and analysis.