Garching, Bavaria, Germany
I’m a Space Engineer specialising in spacecraft thermal systems, currently contributing to the NewATHENA Wide Field Imager (WFI) at the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics. My work lies at the intersection of engineering precision and scientific exploration — ensuring that space instruments like WFI operate flawlessly in some of the most extreme thermal environments imaginable. Over the past few years, I’ve built a diverse portfolio across thermal design, propulsion, and nanosatellite systems, working with organisations such as DLR and GomSpace. From optimising cryogenic turbopump performance to developing nanosatellite thermal models and thermal test procedures, I’ve learned how to translate scientific challenges into engineering performance. Core Competencies: - Space Thermal Control & Subsystem Integration - Thermal Modelling, Correlation & Testing (ESATAN TMS, TVAC testing) - Rocket Turbopump and associated Fluid Systems Design and Testing - Multidisciplinary Collaboration & Supervision I’m passionate about enabling space exploration through system-level thinking and strong collaboration, and I’m now looking to broaden my perspective towards thermal systems engineering and systems engineering for space in general — connecting multiple domains to build resilient, efficient spacecraft architectures.
Leading the Thermal Control System design and development of the NewATHENA Wide Field Imager (WFI), an ESA flagship X-ray observatory instrument. Key tasks: - Perform detailed thermal analysis, design optimisation, and subsystem-level verification. - Coordinate across mechanical, electronic, and system teams to ensure thermal compliance under mission constraints. - Support test definition, TVAC campaigns, and model correlation.
Designed and developed turbopump systems for DLR LUMEN, a demonstrator project for liquid upper-stage rocket engines. - Conducted thermal and fluid-system analyses for turbopump systems. - Designed and tested the lubrication and cooling system for the bearing unit of the turbopump. - Lead the test preparation, instrumentation, data acquisition and analysis for turbopump test campaigns. Impact: Enhanced turbopump thermal reliability and contributed to LUMEN’s successful turbopump system tests.
Designed, analysed, and tested thermal systems for nanosatellites and auxiliary products. - Established workflows for thermal analysis, model correlation, and test validation. - Performed system / component-level analysis for reflectarrays, antennas, and PCBs. - Investigated high-power dissipation solutions via analysis + TVAC testing. Impact: Reduced thermal modelling and analysis duration by setting up a structured thermal analysis workflow from mission analysis to temperature predictions.
Evaluated optimized Thermo-Optical Properties on Exterior Surfaces of a Nanosatellite • Studied the influence of thermo-optical properties on Nanosatellite component temperatures. • Developed a thermal model of GOMX-4A Nanosatellite. • Validated GOMX-4A thermal model with in-orbit temperatures. • Developed an optimization scheme to automate the selection of surface coatings used on the exterior surfaces of the Nanosatellite. • Implemented optimization scheme on GOMX-4A thermal model using the optimization tool CORTIME.
Developed a Design Tool for Cryogenic Liquid Rocket Engine Turbopumps - Extensive Literature study: Preliminary Design Methods(1-D) for Centrifugal Pumps - Programmed a preliminary design tool in MATLAB - Implemented a Graphical User Interface(GUI) for the tool in MATLAB - Implemented Visualization Routines for the results - Test and Verification: Tested and verified the Tool for existing Designs - Documented the manual for the Design tool Impact: The Design Tool has been used in the preliminary design of the LUMEN Turbopump, which has been successfully tested.
Led design and fabrication of unmanned aerial systems and associated hardware. - Conducted conceptual and preliminary design (AHP trade-off, XFLR-5, MATLAB, SolidWorks). - Managed manufacturing, materials procurement, and partner coordination. - Supervised and trained new team members; led cross-discipline collaboration. Impact: Delivered multiple flight-ready UAV prototypes and built foundational leadership experience.