My experience

Project Technical Lead

July, 2024 -

Global SW Specialist for Optical tools

July, 2023 - July 2024

Associate Senior Engineer - Lighting

March 2022 - July 2023

Lighting & Mechatronics Group Lead

January 2021 - March 2022

R&D Engineer - Lighting Systems

January, 2020 - December 2020

Reference

Research and Development Engineer

November, 2015 - November 2019

My Skills

Project Management

Automation of Processes
JIRA/Confulence Integration
Coordination
Experience with Aumotive OEMs and Suppliers
Product Lifecycle Management Process Improvements

Team Leader

Management of small engineering teams
Responsible for On time delivery, within budget
In charge of timeplans, milestones, FMEAs, Testing
Crossfunctional Team Coordination

Automotive Lighting Systems Development

Headlamps and Signal Lighting systems
Interior Lighting
Homologation
Prototype and serial production processes

CATIA v5/v6

3D Optical design
Catia Macros
Certificate (in Czech)

Optical Design

Proficiency with LightTools and Lucidshape
Design of reflectors, lenses, TIR lenses, Fresnel lenses, backlighting systems, thin films, optical microstructures etc.
Computation of NURBS optical surfaces using C++
Experience with prototyping and production
Knowledge of certification processes in different markets
Raytracing
Renderings

Programming (Python/C++)

Development of software used for luminance and luminous intensity data analysis
Optimization Tools
Data Analysis and evaluation
Catia V5 integration
Process Automation
Web development

My education

Masaryk University Brno

Bachelor of Science

September, 2011 - September, 2014

Physics

Thin Layer Deposition

Plasma Enhanced Deposition

Electron Microscopy

Surface Treatment

Thesis: Deposition of inorganic polymers on textile surfaces using dielectric barrier discharge (available in Czech)

Masaryk University Brno

1 year study of Masters Level Plasma Physics

September, 2014 - November, 2015

Plasma Physics

Steamer Properties and Software Development

Passive Current Probe Development

My work

Lighting Systems Development

With a strong background in developing optical, mechanical, and electronics systems for automotive lighting, I've had the opportunity to work on high-profile projects that showcase my expertise. , I was tasked with designing and delivering headlamp, signal, and interior lighting solutions from concept to production. This included managing prototypes, ensuring homologation compliance, and overseeing industrialization processes to bring these innovative designs to market.

Varroc Surface LED

As an optical engineer I have contributed to the development of Varroc Surface LED technology - exterior automotive lighting solution, offering a cost-effective alternative to OLEDs. Surface LED is a thin surface light source, with high luminance, multi-color and 3D shaping capability.

Innovator of the year 2017, Patent of the Year 2018

Working with new technologies and innovative ideas goes hand-in-hand with patents. I am an author or co-author of several patents that are now owned by Varroc Lighting Systems. These patents include lightguiding systems, illumination devices, use of new technologies, optical systems etc. I've been awarded with Innovator of the Year for 2017 award, mostly for Surface LED technology and Patent of the Year 2018 award.

LED Database / Heat dissipation area / Project Results database

LEDs are the most used lightsource in the exterior automotive lighting industry and they all have a little different properties. Using Python and Django I've created modern LED database, where engineers could change the current, see the necessary PCB area to dissipate the heat and compare different LEDs, so they can always choose the best one for their needs. Later on this tool was improved to have database of simulation results from projects along with the LED selection and respective LED current.

Photometry Optimization Tools, Catia macros

Catia is the most widely used CAD software in the automotive industry, but it isn't often used to its' full potential. I have worked extensively with Catia and I've created several useful macros as well as external tools using Python.

I've also developed a tool that was integrated into Catia, that changed certain parameters of a model, preformed ray-tracing of the system and adjusted the parameters according to the results.

Technical Project Management

As a technical project manager, I've successfully led complex projects that required coordinating many stakeholders, multiple disciplines, and varying regulatory requirements . I've managed cross-functional teams consisting of engineers, designers, and manufacturers to deliver specific milestones on time, within budget, and to the desired quality standards. My expertise in navigating legal requirements, supplier coordination, and stakeholder communication has been instrumental in ensuring project success. By leveraging my technical knowledge, organizational skills, and interpersonal abilities, I've consistently delivered projects that meet or exceed expectations while fostering strong relationships with suppliers and stakeholders. This experience has equipped me with strong skills in project planning, risk management, budgeting, and team collaboration, allowing me to effectively drive projects forward while maintaining a focus on technical excellence.

OEM and Supplier Coordination

I have the experience working on both sides of the supply chain. Having held roles at both Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and suppliers, I possess an understanding of the dynamics between these two entities. This perspective has equipped me with exceptional project management skills, allowing me to effectively coordinate activities, facilitate open and productive communication and ensure successful outcomes in complex projects.
I have successfully navigated complex relationships with both supplier and OEM stakeholders, fostering strong partnerships. My expertise includes developing and managing project plans, preparing clear project overviews, coordinating supplier activities, presentation skills and ensuring timely completion of tasks.

Prototype Development

Customer demand for new products is always high and they are looking for the best things that market has to offer. Therefore our team always needed to prepare prototypes for customer tech-shows and other events like ISAL or CES. I've worked on several samples and I've been part of the team that presented them directly to customers.

Working on prototype samples doesn't only include design in CAD but also a lot of hands-on experience with prototyping technologies like milling of optical parts also with SPDT technology, 3D printing, Laser marking/cutting etc. I enjoy those technologies so much, that I have a 3D printer of my own at home.

Optical Measurements

Optical engineer has to make sure that his designs and simulations correspond with reality. Only way to do that is to measure manufactured products. Work with measuring devices is therefore necessary.

In automotive lighting the critical physical quantity is luminous intensity. That is measured with goniophotometer. Strict regulations as described in ECE, SAE, CCC and other regulatory standards need to be followed. Other measurements like EPLLA, color shift or luminance for appearance purposes need to be made as well.

Renderings

Microoptics design

Microoptics is a big topic for the newest products in the industry. Customers are focused or the best possible performance of the systems without any distracting visible elements.

I've designed several microoptics structures which can be manufactured with photolitography or SPDT technology. Results were published at the ISAL 2019 conference.

Task Management and Automation

As a detail-oriented professional, I'm well-versed in task management techniques that ensure efficient workflow and timely delivery. With proficiency in Jira, I've leveraged my programming skills to develop custom scripts that streamline tasks, automate repetitive processes, and enhance overall project coordination. By utilizing Jira's API, I've created personalized tools that enable me to monitor project progress, track task dependencies, and identify potential bottlenecks – all aimed at maximizing productivity and minimizing errors.
This unique combination of Agile task management expertise and programming skills has enabled me to optimize workflows,reduce administrative burdens, and focus on high-priority tasks.

Team Management

Effective team leader with experience in managing cross-functional teams of engineers from mechanical, optical,and electronics disciplines along with designers, various experts and manufacturing. As a team leader leader I successfully guided teams to deliver complete lighting systems. My responsibilities included budget planning, testing, coordination, homologation navigation, engineer supervision, on-time delivery management, and task prioritization.
The team consistently met project milestones, ensuring seamless product development and launch. My ability to motivate and direct a diverse group of engineers, combined with my attention to detail and analytical skills, enabled me to effectively manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality results. I am confident in my capacity to lead teams across various disciplines.

RFQs and Predevelopment

I've been supporting RFQs and Predevelopment projects with both standard and innovative optical designs to fulfill customer wishes and legal requirements. Most of my experience is with Signal functions but I'm also capable of designing headlamps.

Plastic Expertise

Plastic products are key components in automotive lighting. Most of the products are made from different kind of plastics and that needs to be considered during the development phase. Materials need to be analyzed to make sure they work in certain temperatures, have the right properties or are suitable for surface treatment. One of the most important part of the design is making sure that parts can be made by injection molding.

Producers of plastics are often developing new products for specific applications and it's important to make sure that they can be used in exterior automotive lighting due to the extreme conditions. Several tests need to be preformed and one of the best ways to make sure that the material is safe to use in exterior automotive lighting is to make sure it can be on AMECA list.

LED Electronics Programming, Android App Development

For CES 2019 my former company wanted to showcase new technologies including personalization and controls via smartphone. It was my task to set up the LED electronics and make sure the anyone can control it with their phones.

I have developed an Android app using Kotlin and firmware controlling the LEDs using C.