Vehicle Handling & Steer Maneuver Simulation
Developed 2-DOF and 3-DOF dynamic models in MATLAB to simulate step steer, transient steer, and sine input maneuvers for lateral response analysis.
Hello, I'm
Yiğit Topal
Simulation & Vehicle Dynamics Engineer
Bridging design intent and real-world performance through high-fidelity vehicle simulations, tire characterization, and suspension optimization.
About Me
A bit about who I am
I am a mechanical engineering student and vehicle dynamics engineer specializing in mathematical modeling, multi-body simulations, and trackside engineering tools. From building 2-DOF/3-DOF handling models and suspension compliance simulations in MATLAB/Simulink to developing data tools for setup analysis and race pace comparison, my work bridges numerical computation with physical vehicle behavior. Backed by hands-on prototyping I focus on optimizing performance from the initial script to the final on-track validation.
Technical Skills
Vehicle Dynamics Modeling
Suspension & K&C Analysis
Race Engineering Tools
MATLAB & Simulink
CAD
Manufacturing & Prototyping
Education
Istanbul Technical University
B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering
Vefa High School
High School Diploma
Experience
ITU Racing
Vehicle Dynamics Engineer
- Developed 2-DOF and 3-DOF vehicle handling simulations in MATLAB/Simulink to analyze transient steer, step steer, and sine input responses.
- Conducted suspension elastokinematic and compliance (K&C) analyses to evaluate deflections and geometry changes under dynamic loads.
- Engineered an integrated race engineering and setup logging tool to track vehicle configurations, lap times, and driver race pace performance.
Mechameleons (FRC Team #9025)
Co-Founder, Team Captain & Mentor
- Co-founded the high school FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) team and led end-to-end robot engineering as the first team captain.
- Designed mechanical subsystems in SolidWorks and Onshape, overseeing fabrication and precision assembly.
- Developed autonomous and teleoperated robot control algorithms using Java and integrated electrical power architectures.
- Managed corporate outreach, sponsorship pitches, and team budget to secure project funding and technical partnerships.
Projects
Selected projects in vehicle dynamics and simulation — from suspension design to tire modeling, full vehicle simulation to performance optimization.
Suspension Compliance (K&C) Simulation
Elastokinematic analysis tool to evaluate suspension bushing and link deflections under dynamic lateral and longitudinal cornering loads.
Race Engineer & Setup Logging Tool
Interactive data platform to track trackside vehicle setups, evaluate sector lap times, and benchmark driver race pace performance across stints.
Contact
Get in Touch
Interested in vehicle dynamics, simulations, or potential engineering collaborations? Feel free to reach out.
© 2026 Yiğit Topal.