Nikola V.
Lead Thermal Engineer
Experience
Apr 2022 - Present
3 years 7 monthsZagreb, Croatia
Director/Co-founder
thermIT Consulting
- Providing expertise in thermal analysis and thermal management in aerospace, EV automotive, energy, biomedical and biotech
- Cooling system design
- Energy storage design
- Cryo-preservation solutions
- Thermal analysis
- Notable clients (Lilium, X-therma, AIB)
Jul 2021 - Nov 2024
3 years 5 monthsMunich, Germany
RemoteThermal Engineer (remote contractor)
Lilium
- Propulsion system cooling development and thermal integration of engine and propulsion vectoring systems (PVS)
- Achieved PVS thermal management with air cooling and without additional active components resulting in weight reduction and increased reliability
- Conducted conceptual studies and trade-offs for electric engine cooling
- Served as technical go-to person for propulsion vectoring system thermals
- Used hand calculations, 1D and 3D CFD analysis
- Managed test requests, test planning and test support
- Performed thermal validation on open bench servo and the servo control units
- Released three technical description specification documents and multiple engineering notes
- Liaised with equipment suppliers
Mar 2019 - Jul 2021
2 years 5 monthsSveta Nedelja, Croatia
Thermal Team Lead
Rimac Automobili
- Increased the team from 2 to 10 people
- Led 1D and CFD activities including method development and validation
- Introduced advanced CFD modeling such as conjugate heat transfer for powertrain and battery thermal management and multi-phase flows in filling and air entrapment issues
- Organized and distributed work according to Agile methodology and reviewed work from colleagues across multiple projects (5–10 projects at a time)
- Focused on people development, business continuity and process development
- Coordinated and managed expectations from internal and external stakeholders (Rimac Nevera, Porsche, Ferrari, AMG, ARB, Hyundai, Koenigsegg)
Apr 2018 - Mar 2019
1 yearSveta Nedelja, Croatia
CFD Engineer
Rimac Automobili
- Performed aerodynamic and thermal modeling using CFD, conjugate heat transfer, 1D analysis and spreadsheets
- Designed cooling concepts
- Conducted feasibility studies for internal and external customers
- Managed electric powertrain (EM, inverter, gearbox) cooling and lubrication
- Developed EV battery and power electronics cooling solutions
- Supported electrification projects for Rimac C_Two, Porsche, Hyundai and other OEMs
Dec 2014 - Apr 2018
3 years 5 monthsKarlovac, Croatia
Gas Turbine Combustor Cooling Engineer
General Electric
- Designed hot path component cooling; lead inventor of patented 3D printed burner front plate resulting in increased efficiency, decreased manufacturing cost and pollution, implemented and sold
- Conducted aerodynamic and thermal modeling (CFD, FEM, 1D)
- Developed additive manufacturing designs for combustor and turbine (GT13 E2, 7FA.05)
- Defined tests and evaluated test rig data (GT36, GT26 HE)
- Supported projects 9HA.02, 7FA.05, GT36, GT26, GT13 including inlet, combustor cooling, turbine cooling, diffuser aerodynamics and thermal stress analysis
- Served as export control tagger
- Collaborated as part of international teams
Summary
Mechanical Engineer with a decade of professional experience as a thermal and simulation engineer in multidisciplinary teams developing high-end products in industry leading and disruptive technology companies.
Especially skilled at first principles thinking, cooling concept design, thermal calculations, aerodynamic and heat transfer analyses.
Demonstrated ability to build competencies and a team from ground-up.
The go-to person for thermal behavior of the systems, validation activities and cross-disciplinary technical discussions.
Experience in aerospace, power generation and automotive.
Languages
Croatian
NativeEnglish
AdvancedGerman
ElementaryItalian
ElementaryEducation
Sep 2007 - Jan 2015
University of Zagreb, FAMENA
Master of Mechanical Engineering, Magna cum Laude · Energy Engineering · Zagreb, Croatia · 4.8/5
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