We are seeking an experienced Lead CFD Engineer to oversee and conduct advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) research for aerospace propulsion systems. In this role, you will lead high- and low-fidelity thermo-fluid simulations, define numerical modelling strategies, mentor junior researchers, and collaborate across multidisciplinary engineering teams to drive propulsion-system innovation.
Key Responsibilities
- Simulation & Analysis: Lead low-to-high-fidelity CFD simulations for air-breathing engines, rocket propulsion, combustors, nozzles, turbomachinery, and thermal management systems (including CHT, reacting, and multiphase flows).
- Modelling Strategy & Best Practices: Define and review CAD cleanup, meshing strategies, boundary conditions, numerical robustness, turbulence/combustion models, and verification & validation (V&V) protocols.
- Workflow Automation & Tools: Develop automated CFD pipelines, post-processing scripts, and numerical tools to accelerate design, performance assessment, and optimization.
- Technical Guidance & Mentorship: Serve as the subject matter expert (SME) for numerical setups and result interpretation; guide and mentor junior researchers.
- Collaboration & V&V: Work with interdisciplinary teams (design, thermal, test, structures) and align CFD predictions with experimental test data.
- Research Dissemination: Document findings in technical reports, journal publications, patents, conference papers, and project reviews.
Job Specifications
Required Qualifications & Experience
- Education: PhD + 5 years, or MSc + 7 years of relevant experience in Aerospace, Aeronautical, or Mechanical Engineering (or a related field).
- Domain Expertise: Proven track record in aerospace propulsion CFD, including expertise in at least one key area: gas turbines, rocket propulsion, reacting flows/combustion, turbomachinery, high-speed compressible flows, or multiphase/CHT simulations.
- Software & Tools:
- CFD Solvers: Ansys Fluent, Siemens Simcenter STAR-CCM+, Metacomp CFD++, CONVERGE, or equivalent.
- Meshing: Ansys Fluent Meshing, ICEM CFD, Cadence Pointwise, or equivalent.
- Scripting/HPC: Python, C++, Linux Bash, MATLAB/Octave; experience submitting jobs in HPC environments.
- Technical Competence: Solid understanding of turbulence, combustion, and multiphase physical assumptions; strong troubleshooting and root-cause analysis skills.
- Communication: Excellent English writing and presentation skills for both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Preferred Skills (Considered a Plus)
- Advanced Physics: Finite-rate chemistry, spray/flamelet combustion, sliding mesh/rotor-stator interactions, regenerative cooling, or hypersonic plume simulations.
- Open-Source & Data Science: OpenFOAM, SU2, reduced-order modelling (ROM), uncertainty quantification (UQ), or AI/ML applications in CFD.
- Experimental V&V: Direct experience comparing CFD results with test bench/rig diagnostic data.
