ABOUT ME

Engineer, Researcher,
and Lifelong Learner

I am a multiphysics simulation engineer who works at the intersection of computational modeling, experiments, and physics-based problem solving.

My engineering journey has moved across wearable thermoelectric generators, electro-optic beam-steering systems, advanced LiDAR, and virtual validation of electric-vehicle battery systems.

What connects these experiences is a consistent interest in understanding physical systems, translating that understanding into useful models, and validating those models against experiments or engineering data.

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Yun Goo Lee working on an optical experiment

BIOGRAPHY

One Career, Multiple Physical Domains

I began in electrical engineering, but I have never treated engineering disciplines as isolated boxes.

During my master’s research, I studied wearable thermoelectric generators through thermal-resistance modeling, materials processing, device fabrication, and automated measurement.

During my Ph.D. at Penn State, I moved into electro-optics and developed high-speed beam-steering devices based on KTN crystals. The work combined electric-field and thermal simulation, optical-system design, fabrication, material characterization, and synchronized optical and electrical measurements.

Today, I apply the same physics-based approach to virtual product development, including CFD-based thermal analysis of EV battery systems, data-driven design optimization, and electromagnetic propagation modeling.

I see these transitions not as changes of direction, but as a continuous expansion of the tools I can use to solve engineering problems.

EDUCATION

Academic Foundation

2017–2023

Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering

The Pennsylvania State University

University Park, Pennsylvania, USA

Dissertation: Advanced Electro-Optic Beam Steering Devices Based on KTN Crystals

2015–2017

M.S. in Electrical Engineering

Korea University

Seoul, Republic of Korea

Research focus: 1D thermal-resistance modeling, device design, fabrication, and automated characterization of wearable thermoelectric generators.

2007–2015

B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Korea University

Seoul, Republic of Korea

Academic foundation in electromagnetics, circuits, signals, semiconductor fundamentals, and engineering computation.

EXPERIENCE

From Experimentalist to Multiphysics Simulation Engineer

Dec. 2024 – Present

Senior Research Engineer

Hyundai Motor Company

Simulation-based development and virtual validation of electric-vehicle battery systems.

CFD-based thermal-management and cooling-performance analysis.
Physics-based surrogate modeling and data-driven design exploration.
Early-stage electromagnetic propagation modeling for wireless battery-management systems.
Python and Java automation for simulation workflows and engineering-data analysis.

Aug. 2024 – Nov. 2024

Research Engineer (Specialist)

LG Innotek

Supported advanced LiDAR development through optical, mechanical, and early-stage thermal-design studies.

Applied optics and Peltier-cooling knowledge to compact sensor-system development.

Aug. 2017 – Dec. 2023

Research Assistant / Teaching Assistant

The Pennsylvania State University

Developed KTN-based electro-optic beam-steering devices and high-speed optical systems.

Combined electric-field and thermal simulation with optical-system design and experimental validation.
Performed device fabrication and characterization using lithography, thin-film deposition, SEM/EDS, and polarized microscopy.
Built synchronized optical and electrical measurement systems.
Taught undergraduate analog-circuit laboratory sessions.

Mar. 2015 – Feb. 2017

Graduate Researcher

Korea University / KIST

Developed wearable thermoelectric generators for body-heat energy harvesting.

Built a 1D thermal-resistance model connecting skin, device, heat sink, and ambient conditions.
Optimized structural parameters and evaluated power-generation performance.
Fabricated devices and automated measurement workflows with NI LabVIEW.

SELECTED PROJECTS