Mechanical Engineer Systems

Saja Hani Al-Rifai

Work Authorization: U.S. Citizen Miramar, Florida-33027

Phone- 305-***-****

Email- **********@*****.***

LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/saja-al-rifai/ Summary

A highly skilled Mechanical Engineer with a Ph.D. and 5+ years of expertise in computational modeling, forensic engineering, product design, and MEP systems. Specializing in CFD, particularly heat and mass transfer, Acoustics, and combustion analysis using LES and RANS models to solve complex fluid and thermal challenges. Proficient in mechanical systems design, HVAC, heat transfer, MEP design, and CFD- driven product development. Experienced in leading multidisciplinary teams and executing projects independently. Skilled in advanced engineering tools, coding, and CAD to drive innovation and optimize performance. Passed P.E. exam, license in-process with Florida Professional Engineering Board. Professional Experience

CFD/CAE Engineer

Cerrozone, A Marmon/Berkshire Hathaway Company 2023–Present

• CFD Engineer: Specialized in product design, CAD modeling, technical analysis, and design reviews. Reduced prototype costs and time-to-market through advanced CFD modeling.

• Airflow & Thermal Simulation: Used ANSYS Fluent, Workbench, and SOLIDWORKS to optimize air purifiers per ASHRAE standards.

• CFD Acoustic Analysis: Conducted aeroacoustics simulations to ensure compliance with noise emission standards.

Staff Engineer

ALTEK Engineering, Miami, Florida 2015–2022

• Designed residential HVAC systems and MEP using software such as Revit, Right Suite and AutoCAD. Developed engineering reports and created technical CAD drawings.

• CFD simulation and analysis for airflow and thermal analysis-based HVAC system.

• Forensic Engineer: Determination of source and origin of property damage due to windstorm, hurricane vehicular impact, exposure to moisture due to hose pipes and malfunctioning AC. Assistant Professor

Mechanical and Materials Engineering Department, FIU, Miami, Florida 2023–Present

• Taught graduate and undergraduate courses in mechanical engineering, focusing on computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Computer Aided Design for engineers (CAD), fluid mechanics, energy systems and thermodynamics, and heat transfer.

Research Experience

Florida International University 2018–2022

• Multidisciplinary CFD & FEA: Simulated thermofluidic systems, securing $47K in annual funding.

• CFD Combustion Modeling: Conducted RANS/LES combustion analysis for gas turbines with AFIT, improving efficiency. Presented findings at conferences.

• Data Center CFD Analysis: Optimized airflow and cooling with ANSYS Fluent, improving energy performance.

• Nanoporous TMC Heat Transfer: Led R&D on nanoporous TMC heat exchangers, enhancing efficiency with CFD. Published in top journals.

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• Multiphase Flow Simulation: Modeled heat/mass transfer in extreme environments for efficiency and durability.

• Molecular Dynamics: Studied multiphase flow in nanoporous ceramics, analyzing thermal properties.

Jordan University of Science and Technology 2012–2015

• HVAC System Optimization: Designed and optimized solar ejector cooling systems using TRNSYS-EES to improve energy efficiency in HVAC applications. Technical Skills

• Multiphysics Simulation: ANSYS, Fluent, COMSOL, ABAQUS, StarCCM+, TRNSYS, Tecplot, Paraview, CFD code development (FVM, FDM)

• Design & CAD Tools: SOLIDWORKS, AutoCAD, Inventor, SpaceClaim, Design Modeler

• Programming & Simulation: MATLAB, Python, FORTRAN, C/C++, CFD code development

• Software & Platforms: Microsoft Office, Linux Ubuntu, EES, PVSOL, LAMMPS Core Competencies:

• Product Design & Development Multiphysics CFD & FEA Simulation Combustion & Acoustics CFD Analysis HVAC Systems Design Thermofluidic Dynamics Leadership & Collaboration Time & Project Management Research & Development (R&D) Education

• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering Florida International University 2022 Key Coursework: Computational Fluid Dynamics, Heat Transfer, Thermodynamics, Optimization.

• M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering and Renewable energy Jordan University of Science and Technology 2015.

• B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering Jordan University of Science and Technology 2007. Certifications & Licenses

• P.E. (Professional Engineer): Passed P.E. exam (License pending with Florida Board)

• Florida Engineer Intern License: No. 110*******

Publications - Full List (Google Scholar)

• Saja H. Al-Rifai, Cheng-Xian Lin, Brian T. Bohan, Marc D. Polanka, 2021, “A Numerical Sensitivity Study of Modeling Parameters in the Combustion of a SWIRLER,” Proceedings of ASME Turbo Expo 2021, Virtual, GT2021-59392.

• Saja Al-rifai, Yiding Cao, 2023, “Multiphase modeling of heat and mass transfer inside transport membrane condenser (TMC) tube bundle”, Inter. Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol. 214.

• Bourhan Tashtoush, Aiman Alshare, Saja AL-Rifai, 2015, “Hourly Dynamic Simulation of Solar Ejector Cooling System using TRNSYS for Jordanian Climate,” Energy Conversion and Management, Vol. 100, pp. 300-310.

Awards, Professional Memberships and Services

• Summer Faculty Fellowship Program (SFFP): Awarded three times (2020-2022) by AFRL and AFIT for contributions to combustion modeling and CFD research.

• Doctoral Evidence Acquisition Fellowship: Awarded in 2021 by FIU for excellence in doctoral research.

• International Internship: EU-funded MANSUR project, Lund University, Sweden (2013).

• Professional Memberships: Active member of ASME, ASHRAE, and ACS.

• Reviewer: Peer reviewer for ASME Journal of Heat Transfer and IMECE.

• Community Volunteer: Actively involved in local volunteer initiatives.

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