Dina Poncia

Dina Poncia has extensive experience in mechanical engineering, with a specialization in designing and developing various components and systems. Dina worked as a Mechanical Engineer at Exoterra Resource LLC from June 2016 to July 2020, where they designed an automated pick and place machine for manufacturing solar arrays for cube satellites. Dina also created a compact and capable Thrust Vector Control mechanism for a CubeSat electric propulsion thruster.

Prior to that, Dina worked as a Mechanical Design Engineer at KIOSK Information Systems from September 2017 to July 2020. Their responsibilities included designing custom welded sheet metal kiosks, integrating commercial electronics into enclosures, and creating design documentation for all new designs.

Dina also gained valuable experience as a Mechanical Engineer at NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration from August 2004 onwards. In this role, they were handpicked to work on a high visibility electro-mechanical project and pioneered a new lean development process to expedite time to hardware certification and delivery. Their design work included components such as cam latching mechanisms, plastic parts, electronic enclosure parts, and softgood assemblies.

Dina Poncia completed their high school education at Windsor High School from 1998 to 2002, earning their high school diploma. Dina then pursued a bachelor's degree in Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering at the University of California, Davis from 2002 to 2007. Their educational journey continued as they studied Renewable Energy and Sustainability Systems at Penn State World Campus from 2019 to 2021, leading to the completion of their degree in Renewable Energy.