Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Interests
Publications
Timeline
Generic
Dane Kornasiewicz

Dane Kornasiewicz

Propulsion Engineer, Mechanical Engineer
Erie,CO

Summary

Knowledgeable propulsion engineer with a background in on-orbit CONOPs execution; specializing in design, analysis, qualification, and integration of advanced propulsion systems. Successfully contributed to the development and testing of chemical, electric, and cold gas propulsion systems for commercial, government, and private satellites ranging in size from CubeSats to GeoComms.

Overview

2026
2026
years of professional experience

Work History

Principle Propulsion Engineer, Senior Propulsion Engineer, Senior Systems Engineer

Blue Canyon Technologies
2021 - Current
  • Established the BCT propulsion department from the ground up by developing procedures, best practices, tools, and training materials. Created testing recommendations, inspection protocols, propellant budgeting scripts, plume analysis software, delta-v calculation models, on-orbit commissioning precedence, and performance-trending frameworks to standardize operations and enable long-term scalability.
  • Completed On-Orbit commissioning and operation of FEEP and Hall-Effect Electric Propulsion Systems.
  • Regularly utilize Solidworks for mechanical layout planning of propulsion components on active projects and including submission of several proposals for BCT furnished concepts using components from different vendors.
  • Collaboratively working to qualify and implement BCT’s first high-impulse bipropellant chemical propulsion system for a project designed to operate in a cis-lunar environment.
  • Efficiently orchestrated significant failure review investigations to resolve issues with thruster modules encountered during initial qualification, ground acceptance testing, and initial On-Orbit operations.
  • Contributed cost and scope estimates for the propulsion system design and AI&T on a wide range of proposals for all size classes of BCT craft for projects ranging from academic endeavors to department of defense missions.
  • Routinely interacted with external customers to provide status updates, conduct milestone reviews, submit operational recommendations, and document technical guidance.
  • Regularly completed comprehensive propulsion system trade studies for the purpose of evaluating various subcontractors.
  • Worked with BCT subsystem leads to conduct cross system performance analysis’ including detailed thermal, structural, electrical, and mechanical evaluations.
  • Effectively managed the propulsion group, allocating workforce and prioritizing tasks vital to the success of BCT with efficacy.
  • Recognized by my peers with several company ‘Astra’ awards for contributions exceeding normal expectations for work conducted on both Microsat and CubeSat class satellites.
  • Developed effective testing procedures to ensure propulsion systems met stringent quality and safety standards.
  • Championed continuous improvement initiatives within the organization, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence in the field of propulsion engineering.
  • Presented technical findings at industry conferences and events, showcasing company expertise and contributing to thought leadership initiatives within the field of propulsion engineering.
  • Mentored junior engineers, fostering a collaborative work environment and promoting professional growth within the team.

Propulsion Engineer, Senior Mechanical Development Engineer

Space Systems Loral / MAXAR
2015 - 2021
  • Senior mission analyst for initial spacecraft orbit raising activities including burn predictions and propellant accounting.
  • Regularly performed analyses to improve spacecraft orbital performance and to extend on-mission life.
  • Acted as lead subsystem engineer for several active programs; worked in congress with customers and SSL staff to ensure timely design and integration of company furnished propulsion systems.
  • Designated consultant on failure analysis panels for on-orbit spacecraft. Comfortable giving design review presentations and responding to customer and coworker questions.
  • Well-practiced in component and assembly design and manipulation using Creo Parametric modeling software.
  • Lead designer for device to improve spacecraft center of mass control capabilities (patent pursued by SSL).
  • Awarded three company awards for ‘Risk Taking and Innovation’ following the design of a standardized chemical propulsion module and for ‘Collaboration’ in recognition of continuous improvement efforts.

Research and Development Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer

Asante Solutions, Inc.
2013 - 2015
  • Utilized in-house machining equipment and worked with local machine shops to generate functional prototypes for customized tooling used in the manufacture of an insulin pump product line.
  • Maintained component drawing files, working models, and tracking documents to FDA and Asante company standards.
  • Developed and conducted engineering tests to ensure a functional, high quality insulin pump system.
  • Designed and implemented tooling to improve manufacturability of company products.
  • Recognized for outstanding contributions to error resolution studies with company award.
  • Practiced in completing medical grade technical reports, requirements specifications, and testing protocols.
  • Collaborated with plastic molding suppliers to ensure the proper tolerance and material adherence for parts requiring high precision molding.
  • Traveled to Dongguan, China on multiple occasions to establish and support a lean flow manufacturing line, and to ensure high quality merchandise was produced in collaboration with the contract company.

Education

Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering - Robotics and Mechatronics

Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA
01-2019

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering -

Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA
01-2013

Skills

Space environment test planning and conduct

Project management experience

System qualification and integration

Failure analysis

Simulation and modeling (Matlab, Visual Basic, Solidworks, CREO Parametric)

Requirements definition and validation

Computational fluid dynamics

Microsoft Office Applications (Excel, Powerpoint, Word, Viseo)

Interests

Current Personal Design Projects: Designing a wearable safety device to reduce deaths in free divers resulting from shallow water blackout sickness, Developing a four to six player tabletop planet escape board game,

Interests: Atlas Club Open Ultimate Team (Manager and Captain), Absolute Zero Club Mixed Ultimate Team (Coach), Sweet Action Mixed Ultimate Team, Concert and Jazz Band, Reading, Camping and Fishing Also, very involved in Dog Sports (Dock Diving and Barn Hunt) with our German Shepherds

Publications

Space Vehicle Hot-Fire Testing of a 4 Hall Effect Thruster System. Tilley, Kornasiewicz, Placanica; International Electric Propulsion Conference. (2025)

In-Orbit Performance of the Halo Electric Propulsion System. Glascock, Kornasiewicz, Tilley; International Electric Propulsion Conference. (2024)

Maxar’s All-EP Spacecraft. Johnson, Chow, Kerl, Kornasiewicz, Hoang, Pirkel, Li, McCown; 10.2514/6.2020-3606. (2020)




Timeline

Principle Propulsion Engineer, Senior Propulsion Engineer, Senior Systems Engineer

Blue Canyon Technologies
2021 - Current

Propulsion Engineer, Senior Mechanical Development Engineer

Space Systems Loral / MAXAR
2015 - 2021

Research and Development Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer

Asante Solutions, Inc.
2013 - 2015

Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering - Robotics and Mechatronics

Santa Clara University

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering -

Santa Clara University

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Dane KornasiewiczPropulsion Engineer, Mechanical Engineer
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