About
Engineering is more than simulation. It's about understanding how real products behave.
My name is Daghan Gunhan, and I'm a Mechanical Development Engineer specializing in mechanical design, structural analysis, structural dynamics, testing, and engineering automation. Over the years I've worked on engineering problems across the automotive, defense, aerospace, battery systems, and medical device industries — supporting product development from concept to validation. My work combines design, finite element analysis, testing, and engineering judgment to help engineering teams build reliable products.
Beyond the Model
Early in my career, I realized that many engineering discussions focus almost entirely on software, meshes, solver settings, or simulation results. While these are important, they're only part of the story. A simulation is only as good as the assumptions behind it. A test is only as valuable as the fixture that transfers the load. A model is only useful if it represents the real system.
This idea became the foundation of my engineering philosophy: Beyond the Model. Engineering isn't simply about obtaining results — it's about understanding the physical system those results represent. Questions like:
- Are the boundary conditions realistic?
- Does the model reflect manufacturing tolerances?
- How is the load actually transferred?
- What happens during assembly?
- How will the product behave during testing?
- What assumptions are influencing the results?
— often have a greater impact than increasing mesh density or selecting a more advanced material model. These are the questions I try to answer in every project.
My Approach
I believe reliable engineering comes from combining multiple disciplines rather than treating them independently. Instead of looking only at analysis or only at testing, I evaluate products from several perspectives at once: mechanical design, structural analysis, structural dynamics, vibration and modal analysis, testing and validation, and engineering automation. This multidisciplinary approach helps identify problems earlier, reduce development risks, and improve engineering decisions.
Experience
I currently work as a Simulation Engineer at EDAG Engineering GmbH in Sindelfingen, Germany, where I perform FEM-based simulations — stiffness, strength, durability, thermal, electrical, and dynamic analysis — for automotive structures, lithium-ion battery systems, and medical devices, alongside chassis joint assessments and nonlinear material modeling for leading OEMs.
Before that, I spent over five years at Roketsan Inc., one of Turkey's leading defense industry companies, first as a Dynamic Analysis and Test Engineer working on vibration, shock, and modal testing for missile and rocket systems under MIL-STD-810, and later as a Structural Design Engineer leading mechanical design for a tactical missile launcher vehicle program. Earlier still, I worked as an intern at Mercedes-Benz Turk and Beko.
I hold an MSc in Mechanical Engineering from Middle East Technical University and a BSc from Istanbul Technical University, with an Erasmus exchange at RWTH Aachen. My work has contributed to two patents and a publication in Engineering Fracture Mechanics.
Sharing Knowledge
Engineering knowledge grows when it's shared. That's why I regularly write about structural analysis, engineering fundamentals, vibration and modal testing, product development, design reviews, and engineering judgment. Two content series form the foundation of this site:
Beyond the Model — exploring engineering decisions that simulation alone can't answer. Structural Analysis Learning Series — helping students and early-career engineers build practical engineering skills. The full Engineering Blog also covers structural dynamics, advanced FEA modeling, and the business cost of engineering decisions.
My goal isn't simply to explain software. It's to explain engineering.
What I Can Help With
- Mechanical Design Review
- Structural Analysis — Static & Dynamic FEA
- Modal Analysis & Vibration Engineering
- Test Result Interpretation
- Engineering Automation with Python and MATLAB
- Technical Reviews & Engineering Documentation
Every project is different, but the objective stays the same: helping engineering teams make better technical decisions with confidence.
Looking Forward
I'm building this platform as a long-term knowledge base for engineers, engineering teams, and companies. Over time it will include technical articles, engineering case studies, practical guides, and educational resources. Whether you're developing a new product, validating an existing design, or improving your engineering workflow, I hope the content here helps you think a little further — Beyond the Model.
Let's Build Better Engineering Together
If you're looking for support in structural analysis, mechanical design review, engineering automation, or simply want to exchange engineering ideas, I'd be happy to connect. Let's build products that work not only in simulation, but in the real world.