ProfileMechanical Engineer with 11+ years of experience in thermal-fluid analysis and simulation for advanced energy and aerospace systems, with focus on high-performance thermal management. Expertise in heat transfer, fluid dynamics, and conjugate heat transfer, including cooling system design, aerodynamic analysis, and first principles based thermal modelling. Proven track record in developing and validating numerical and analytical models to predict temperature fields, heat loads, and thermal transients under demanding operational conditions. Strong experience supporting design decisions, verification and validation, and cross-disciplinary integration. Driving robust engineering solutions from concept through validation.
Skills, methods and tools- First principles thinking
- Clear communication
- Self-directed and proactive
- Methods: CFD, FEM, CHT, Multiphase, Coupled thermal - mechanical analysis, DPM, 1D, empirical correlations and hand calculations
- CFD tools: StarCCM+, ANSYS Fluent, OpenFOAM, CFX, ICEM meshing, Fluent Meshing
- FEM tools (for thermal and elastic problems): ANSYS Workbench, SC03, Abaqus
- 1D tools: MATLAB Simscape, Flowmaster, OpenModelica, Dymola
- MATLAB, Python
- CAD tools: CATIA v5, Solidworks, SpaceClaim
Experience2022 - todayFirmname on request
Director
- Providing thermal expertise in demanding industries (aerospace, energy, EVs, biotech)
- Cooling system concept
- Thermal energy storage concept
- Human organ cryo-preservation solutions (PCM system concept and validation)
- Thermal simulations (CFD, CHT, FEM, 1D, latent heat, hand calculations)
2021 - 2024Lilium (
remotely Zagreb/ onsite in Munich)
Thermal engineer (contractor)
- Thermal analysis: hand calculations, 1D, 3D CFD/CHT
- Thermal strategy and approach setting
- Thermal requirements capturing and validation support
- Propulsion system cooling development and aerothermal integration of propulsion electric motor and propulsion vectoring systems (PVS)
- Conceptual studies and trade-offs for electric engine cooling concept
- Technical go-to person for propulsion vectoring system thermals
- Test requests, test planning and test support
- Thermal validation on open bench servo and the servo control units
- Released 3 Technical Design Specification documents and multiple Engineering Notes
- Liaising with the equipment suppliers, deliverables status tracking and quality insurance of the delivered work
2018 - 2021Rimac Automobili, Zagreb
Thermal Team Lead (CFD Engineer)
- Increased team from 2-10 people
- Aerodynamic and thermal modelling (CFD, Conjugate Heat Transfer, FEM, 1D, correlations)
- Thermo-mechanical and thermo-electrical coupling
- Cooling concept design
- Feasibility studies for internal and external customers
- Electric powertrain (EM, Inverter, gearbox) cooling and lubrication
- EV Battery and power electronics cooling
- Supporting the development of Rimac Nevera, Porsche, Hyundai, Koenigsegg and other established OEMs in electrifying their vehicles
2014 - 2018General Electric (legacy Alstom),
Karlovac
Gas Turbine Combustor Cooling Engineer, Component Engineer
- Aerodynamic and thermal modelling (CFD, CHT, FEM, 1D)
- Hot path component cooling design
- Key achievement: lead inventor of patented 3D printed burner front plate (GT13 E2 MXL2, AEV burner), resulted in increase in efficiency, decrease in manufacturing cost and pollution
- Second inventor on GT26 second stage Helmholtz damper near-wall channel cooling ? 3D printed
- Aerodynamic and thermal modelling (CFD, CHT, FEM, 1D)
- Additive manufacturing (3D printing) design for combustor and turbine (GT13 E2, 7FA.05)
- Test definition and test rig data evaluation (GT36, GT26 HE)
- Supported 9HA.02, 7FA.05, GT36, GT26, GT13 (inlet, combustor cooling, turbine cooling, diffuser aerodynamics and thermal stress analysis)
- Advanced thermal barrier coating (TBC) development
- Expert Development Workshop keynote speaker
- Export control tagger