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Senior CFD / Fluid Dynamics Engineer
We are seeking an experienced and versatile Senior CFD / Fluid Dynamics Engineer to provide advanced computational fluid dynamics and multi-physics analysis expertise for aerospace and spaceflight applications. The ideal candidate possesses a deep theoretical and practical understanding of continuum and non-continuum (rarefied) fluid dynamics, along with demonstrated expertise in modeling complex fluid and thermal-fluid systems and fluid interactions with planetary surfaces and particulate environments.
The engineer will apply advanced analytical and computational methods to evaluate complex aerospace systems, assess system performance, investigate technical issues, and support engineering decisions. This role will collaborate closely with cross-functional engineering teams and may involve analysis ranging from component-level behavior to integrated spacecraft and mission-level performance.
Key Responsibilities * Simulation & Modeling: Develop, execute, and assess high-fidelity 1D, 2D, and 3D CFD models for continuum regimes, including compressible/incompressible flow, multiphase flow, turbulence, cavitation, and conjugate heat transfer. * Apply appropriate modeling approaches to non-continuum and rarefied flow regimes, including slip, transitional, and free-molecular flow conditions. * System-Level Analysis: Model and analyze hydraulic and pneumatic systems, including transient flow behavior, valve dynamics, compressibility effects, pressure losses, and actuation response. * Model Selection & Technical Assessment: Determine appropriate analysis methods, modeling fidelity, boundary conditions, assumptions, and numerical approaches based on the engineering question, available data, and required level of confidence. * Validation & Correlation: Analyze and correlate simulation results with empirical test data, flight data, experimental results, or other available engineering evidence. Assess sources of disagreement and identify opportunities to improve model fidelity. * Independent Technical Assessment: Review and evaluate CFD models, analytical approaches, assumptions, results, and technical documentation developed by other engineers or organizations. Identify potential limitations, uncertainties, and technical risks. * Multi-Physics Analysis: Support analysis of interactions between fluid dynamics and other physical disciplines, including thermal, structural, propulsion, materials, and spacecraft systems. * Lunar Surface and Plume Interactions: Apply CFD and multi-physics methods to assess rocket plume interactions with the lunar surface, including regolith response, particle/dust entrainment and transport, surface erosion/ejecta generation, and potential impacts to spacecraft, payloads, sensors, and nearby assets. * Particle and Multiphase Transport: Apply appropriate computational methods to evaluate particle-laden flows, particulate transport, gas-surface interactions, and other phenomena associated with lunar and planetary surface environments. * Non-Continuum Flow Analysis: Apply kinetic theory approaches such as Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) and Lattice Boltzmann Methods (LBM), where appropriate to the engineering problem. * Technical Problem Solving: Apply first-principles engineering analysis and computational methods to investigate complex or anomalous system behavior and develop technically defensible recommendations. * Technical Leadership: Provide technical guidance and mentoring to engineers performing fluid dynamics and CFD analyses and contribute to development of analysis methods, best practices, and modeling standards. * Technical Communication: Present complex analytical results, assumptions, uncertainties, and recommendations clearly to both technical and programmatic audiences. * Analysis Capability Development: Evaluate and recommend computational tools, modeling approaches, and analysis capabilities needed to address emerging engineering problems, including complex multi-physics and lunar surface interaction phenomena. Required Qualifications * Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline. * 10+ years of professional experience in fluid dynamics modeling, numerical methods, CFD, and/or thermal-fluid system analysis. * Strong understanding of fluid dynamics fundamentals, including the Navier-Stokes equations, compressible and incompressible flow, turbulence modeling (RANS, LES, DES), multiphase flows, heat transfer, and non-continuum flow physics. * Demonstrated experience developing, evaluating, and validating CFD models for complex engineering systems. * Demonstrated ability to select appropriate modeling approaches and assess the accuracy, applicability, limitations, and uncertainty of computational results. * Demonstrated understanding of hydraulic and pneumatic system behavior, including pumps, compressors, check/control valves, manifolds, regulators, and fluid lines. * Experience working with spacecraft, launch vehicles, aerospace fluid systems, or other complex flight systems. * Experience collaborating across multiple engineering disciplines and evaluating system-level interactions and interfaces. * Working knowledge of NASA standards, practices, and requirements is highly desired. Preferred Software Tools & Technical Skills Candidates should possess experience with a selection of the following tools and environments: * CFD / Multi-Physics: Demonstrated proficiency with STAR-CCM+ or equivalent CFD software such as ANSYS Fluent, ANSYS CFX, or OpenFOAM. * 1D / System-Level Simulation: Experience with MATLAB/Simulink, Simscape Fluids, Siemens Amesim, Flownex, or equivalent tools. * Rarefied / Non-Continuum Flow: Experience with DSMC, Lattice Boltzmann, or other rarefied-flow analysis tools is highly desirable. * Pre/Post-Processing & CAD: Experience with geometry preparation, meshing, visualization, and post-processing tools appropriate for high-fidelity CFD analysis. * Scripting & Programming: Python, MATLAB, C/C++, Bash/Linux, or equivalent programming environments. * High-Performance Computing: Experience running large-scale computational analyses in HPC environments and familiarity with job scheduling systems such as SLURM or PBS. Preferred Qualifications * Experience supporting spaceflight hardware or systems from concept through qualification, launch, and operations. * Experience with rocket plume interactions with planetary or lunar surfaces, including regolith erosion, particle/dust entrainment, ejecta transport, or related surface interaction phenomena. * Experience with particle-laden flows, multiphase flow, particulate transport, or gas-surface interactions. * Experience with rarefied gas dynamics, vacuum systems, plume interactions, contamination transport, or spacecraft environmental analysis. * Experience with thermal-fluid systems, propulsion systems, environmental control systems, pressurized systems, or other spacecraft fluid systems. * Experience correlating computational models with ground test, qualification test, or flight data. * Experience developing or reviewing engineering analysis methods, modeling standards, or verification approaches. * Demonstrated technical leadership in computational fluid dynamics or thermal-fluid analysis. * Experience mentoring engineers and providing technical direction on complex analysis problems.