I usually don't reply to obvious trolling but I rather not see any eager freshmen mechanical engineering students be discouraged by a random troll.
The basic principles of mechanical engineering have remained mostly unchanged for the last half century. NASA, including the mirror designers, have not discovered any new principles in the process of making JWST.
Since even the most advanced technologies derive from these well established principles, at least in mechanical engineering, a sufficiently motivated and inquisitive student can learn enough within a year to formulate reasonable hunches.
The basic principles of mechanical engineering have remained mostly unchanged for the last half century. NASA, including the mirror designers, have not discovered any new principles in the process of making JWST.
Since even the most advanced technologies derive from these well established principles, at least in mechanical engineering, a sufficiently motivated and inquisitive student can learn enough within a year to formulate reasonable hunches.