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Leander Krieg - Portfolio

Boston, Massachusetts, USA

About

I build computational tools to understand and control complex flows — from turbulence modeling to plasma‑assisted ignition in ultra‑lean hydrogen‑air mixtures. My work blends physics‑based simulation with machine learning to improve reliability and efficiency in next‑gen propulsion and energy systems.

Currently: Research Fellow in Computational Engineering & Science at Harvard University.

Highlights

  • Proceedings of the Combustion Institute paper (2025, accepted — in review).
  • Won CPLC student competition ($30k) — TVC & throttling categories.
  • Heat‑transfer experiments for green satellite thrusters (DLR).

Publications

Nanosecond pulsed discharges for reliable ignition of ultra‑lean hydrogen‑air mixtures
G. Faingold, L. Krieg, F. Pagaud, Q. Malé, N. Noiray
Proceedings of the Combustion Institute, 2025 (accepted — in review)

Experience

Harvard University
2025 — Present
Research Fellow · Computational Engineering and Science
  • Develop computational models for combustion, turbulence, and complex fluid flows.
  • Explore reinforcement learning for CFD and combustion modeling.
German Aerospace Center (DLR) — Institute for Space Propulsion
06/2024 — 09/2024
Intern
  • Experimental investigation of heat transfer in regeneratively cooled satellite thrusters using non‑toxic propellants.
  • Contributed to development of environmentally friendly alternatives to hydrazine systems.
Imperial College London Rocketry
10/2023 — 06/2024
Propulsion Engineer (Volunteer)
  • Automated CAD generation of intricate cooling channels for regeneratively cooled rocket engines.
  • Team won CPLC student competition ($30,000) in TVC and throttling categories.

→ CPLC Throttle Challenge Win

Space Team Aachen
12/2022 — 10/2023
Test Bench & Propulsion Engineer (Volunteer)
  • Developed hardware and software for hybrid rocket test bench.
  • Designed fluid system for 4 kN hybrid sounding rocket and GSE.
  • Simulated thermal and structural behaviour of nozzle designs.

→ Engine Test Stand · → Rocket Launch

RWTH Aachen University — Chair for Technology of Optical Systems
07/2022 — 09/2023
Student Research Assistant
  • Experimental work in extreme ultraviolet lithography and nanotechnology.
  • Wet‑chemical processing of semiconductor materials and photoresists.
  • Designed components for EUV lithography systems.

Education

ETH Zürich
2024 — 2025
CAPS Laboratory Thesis Student
  • Thesis: Nanosecond Repetitively Pulsed Discharge Characterization for the Combustion of Lean Hydrogen/Air Mixtures.
Imperial College London
2023 — 2024
Aeronautical Engineering Visiting Student — First‑Class Honours
  • Key coursework: Turbulence and Turbulence Modelling; AI for Aerospace Engineers; Applications of CFD; Flow Instability & Transition.
RWTH Aachen University
2022 — 2025
M.Sc. Aerospace Engineering (Current grade: 1.6)
RWTH Aachen University
2017 — 2022
B.Sc. Mechanical Engineering & Business Administration (2.1)
  • Thesis: Concept Development and Design of the Thrust Structure of a Reusable Rocket Stage (1.7).

Research

Master Thesis: Nanosecond Pulsed Plasma Ignition for Hydrogen Combustion
2024 — 2025
  • Characterized discharges across plasma regimes and their effect on ignition of ultra‑lean mixtures.
  • Analyzed influence of energy, pulse frequency, and pulse number on ignition behaviour.
  • Investigated kinetics and electron collision processes for plasma‑assisted ignition mechanisms.
Bachelor Thesis: Reusable Rocket Stage Thrust Structure
2021
  • Extensive literature review of established thrust structures.
  • Structural design and simulation of novel and established concepts.
  • Comparative analysis for performance, mass, and reusability.

Technical Skills

Programming

Python, C++, MATLAB, LabVIEW

Software

Inventor, NX, STAR‑CCM+, Ansys Mechanical, Ansys Fluent, OpenFOAM

Languages

German (native), English (fluent), Dutch (intermediate), French (basic)

Contact

Email: lkrieg@seas.harvard.edu

Last updated:

https://orcid.org/0009-0008-0723-2409