Donte Santana
Florida Space Institute
Winter Park
7
years of professional experience
Mechanical Engineering graduate who enjoys solving complex, real-world problems. Recognized for attention to detail, reliability, and collaborative teamwork, with a strong desire to contribute meaningful solutions in engineering environments.
Work History
Undergraduate Researcher — Mechanical Engineering
3 Months- Conducted soil mechanics analysis of Titan soil simulants, evaluating shear strength and compressive behavior using data collected from simulated-gravity experiments.
- Prepared Titan soil simulants by mixing regolith with water-ice particles of varying sizes to investigate how particle size, composition, and reduced gravity influence the mechanical behavior of Titan's surface material.
- Investigated the mechanical properties and behavior of Titan dune material to improve understanding of surface conditions relevant to the Cassini-Huygens mission and future Dragonfly exploration.
- Responsible for experimental test setup, test execution, instrumentation, and data analysis, utilizing LabVIEW for experimental control, data acquisition, and processing.
- Designed experimental components for a penetrometer system used to measure the resistance and mechanical response of simulated Titan soil during penetration testing.
- Designed components within constraints including cryogenic temperatures, reduced-gravity testing, material properties, instrument geometry, loading requirements, and compatibility with Huygens Surface Science Package (SSP) measurement concepts.
- Supported the development and execution of experimental procedures for testing cryogenic granular materials under Titan-relevant environmental conditions.
- Served as Test Director for a ~$500,000 experimental research project, coordinating test execution, experimental procedures, instrumentation, data collection, and laboratory operations.
- Directed testing focused on characterizing the mechanical behavior of Titan soil simulants under reduced-gravity conditions, providing experimental data for planetary-surface modeling and mission planning.
- Collaborated across experimental design, mechanical testing, materials characterization, and data analysis activities to translate laboratory measurements into engineering-relevant mechanical properties.
Site Manager
3 Years 10 Months- Coordinated daily site operations, subcontractors, inspections, and logistics to ensure timely project completion.
- Interpreted drawings and specifications to support work planning and verify code-compliant installations.
- Enforced safety and quality controls; managed punch lists and corrective actions.
- Enforced safety and quality controls, managing punch lists and corrective actions to uphold project standards.
- Maintained project documentation, change orders, and as-built updates; communicated risks and progress to stakeholders.
- Maintained project documentation, change orders, and as-built updates.
- Developed schedules, budgets, and tracking tools in Excel to enhance reporting efficiency.
- Assisted with HVAC installations including ductwork, equipment mounting, and system hookups per mechanical standards.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering
Minor - Mathematics
Skills
Mechanical Design
CNC Machining Fundamentals
Experimental design
Data Analysis
MATLAB
Cryogenic material testing
Safety Awareness
Cross-disciplinary collaboration
Ansys Fluent
Parametric analysis
RELEVANT COURSES
- Thermodynamics
- Calculus 3
- Fluid Mechanics
- Differential Equations
- Solid Dynamics
- Modeling Methods
Timeline
Undergraduate Researcher — Mechanical Engineering
Florida Space Institute
05.2026 - CurrentRead More
Site Manager
SS Property Solutions
10.2019 - 08.2023Read More
University of Central Florida
Bachelor of Science from Mechanical Engineering
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University of Central Florida
Minor from Mathematics
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