Gabriella Ballock

Mechanical Engineering Student at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University | Aerospace & Manufacturing Focus | NASA L’SPACE Mission Concept Academy | Former Advanced Manufacturing Intern (Jacobs)

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

About

I've always been fascinated by how ideas become reality - how a concept evolves from a sketch, to a design, to something tangible that solves problems and improves lives. For much of my life, I expected to pursue civil engineering. However, after arriving at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and gaining exposure to different engineering disciplines, I discovered a stronger passion for mechanical engineering. Through hands-on projects, manufacturing experiences, and technical coursework, I became fascinated by how components are designed, manufactured, assembled, and brought to life as functional systems. I was particularly drawn to the intersection of structures and manufacturing, and to understanding how individual parts come together to create something larger than themselves. As a mechanical engineering student at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, I am exploring where engineering, creativity, and human impact intersect. I learn best by building, testing, and working through challenges firsthand. My experience includes fabrication and prototyping in machine shop environments, structural design and advanced manufacturing work through my internship with Jacobs, and multidisciplinary virtual engineering through NASA's L'SPACE Mission Concept Academy. These experiences strengthened my technical foundation while reinforcing the importance of collaboration, adaptability, and attention to detail in complex engineering environments. Beyond engineering, I am passionate about storytelling and communication. Creating a documentary taught me how to translate complex ideas into meaningful stories, connect with diverse audiences, and use my work to create impact beyond the technical world. That experience reinforced my belief that great engineers don't just solve problems - they communicate ideas, inspire others, and help people understand what's possible. I am motivated by continuous growth, craftsmanship, and meaningful work that makes a difference. I believe that discomfort is often a sign of learning, and I actively seek opportunities that challenge me to develop new skills, perspectives, and experiences. As I continue my journey in engineering, I look forward to contributing to innovative projects, learning from experienced professionals, and finding new ways to combine technical expertise with creativity and purpose. If any part of my journey resonates with you, I'd love to connect, learn from your experiences, and continue growing alongside others who are passionate about building what comes next.

Experience

  • Mission Assurance Specialist (Mission Concept Academy) at L'SPACE Program
    Jan 2026 - May 2026 · 5 mos

    - Selected as Mission Assurance Specialist on a multidisciplinary lunar rover mission concept team of ~20 students within NASA’s L’SPACE Mission Concept Academy - Developed and maintained mission risk matrices to evaluate system-level risks, assess feasibility, and support engineering decision-making for a lunar rover concept - Applied systems engineering principles to analyze mission safety, reliability, and technical viability across subsystems - Created and evaluated 3D models using Siemens NX to support mission concept development and system integration - Utilized JMARS to assess potential lunar surface locations and conduct terrain analysis for mission planning - Collaborated with cross-functional engineering subteams to align mission assurance requirements with overall system architecture and design objectives

  • ERAU SHPE (1 yr 3 mos)
    • Corporate Relations Executive Board Officer
      May 2025 - Oct 2025 · 6 mos

      - Secured approximately $6K in corporate sponsorships to support chapter initiatives and professional development programming - Organized workshops and networking events for 50+ members, coordinating industry speakers from organizations including Lockheed Martin, Pratt & Whitney, Boeing, Blue Origin, and LinkedIn - Built and maintained corporate relationships to expand professional opportunities and industry engagement for chapter members

    • Events Coordinator Chair
      Dec 2024 - May 2025 · 6 mos

    • Corporate Relations Director
      Aug 2024 - Dec 2024 · 5 mos

  • Advanced Manufacturer Structural & Civil Engineering Summer Intern at Jacobs
    May 2025 - Aug 2025 · 4 mos

    - Engineered structural models in STAAD to perform load and wind analysis checks against engineering requirements, supporting design validation and member sizing optimization - Modeled steel manufacturing components in Revit to support facility expansion from 10 to 20 units, validating equipment layout, spatial constraints, and constructability feasibility, resulting in client-requested scope expansion - Documented technical notes during internal and client meetings, supporting coordination across interdisciplinary teams within Jacobs’ global engineering network

  • Giffin Interior (Bridgeville, Pennsylvania, United States · On-site)
    • Production Engineering Intern
      Sep 2023 - Aug 2024 · 1 yr

      Restructured their hardware naming database in Innergy allowing for a more efficient process Reviewed all engineering & "as built" drawings & toolpaths Created detailed process maps for all of my tasks to allow future employees to continue my work

    • Manufacturing Engineering Intern
      Jun 2023 - Aug 2023 · 3 mos

      Work Order Processing Laser Measuring Training SketchUp Training AutoCAD/Microvellum Training

  • FIRST (Bridgeville, PA · On-site)
    • FIRST Robotics Competition – Team Lead
      May 2023 - May 2024 · 1 yr 1 mo

      - Led a team of 12 students across mechanical, electrical, and programming subteams to coordinate robot development and integration - Organized build priorities, assigned tasks, and helped manage timelines to keep the team on track during competition season - Worked with subteams and mentors to communicate design decisions and keep overall robot development aligned - Helped troubleshoot and test systems during build and competition, making adjustments to improve robot performance and reliability

    • FIRST Robotics Competition – Manufacturing Lead
      Aug 2020 - May 2023 · 2 yrs 10 mos

      - Designed, fabricated, and assembled mechanical subsystems using CAD, CNC machining, and manual shop tools, translating design concepts into functional robot components - Supported prototype development and subsystem testing including pneumatics, actuators, limit switches, and sensor integration - Collaborated with electrical and programming subteams to ensure mechanical-electrical integration during robot development cycles - Contributed to iterative design improvements through rapid prototyping, testing, and failure analysis during build season