Airflow Modeler – Data Center Design

Arcadis•New York, NY

About The Position

Arcadis is hiring an Airflow Modeler within its global Resilience business area. The role uses computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to model airflow, thermal performance, and environmental conditions inside data center facilities and across surrounding sites. The work supports data centers and other mission-critical facilities, with a focus on performance, operational reliability, and energy efficiency. The position develops, runs, and analyzes internal CFD simulations for data center white space and equipment rooms, including airflow and cooling around server racks, containment systems, raised-floor or overhead distribution, CRAC/CRAH units, direct-to-chip cooling, liquid-cooling support systems, and free-cooling arrangements. It also develops site-scale CFD studies of wind, equipment-yard airflow, heat rejection and recirculation, exhaust dispersion, outdoor-air intake exposure, and the effects of adjacent buildings, terrain, screening, louvers, and other obstructions. The role includes climate analysis and Probability Risk Assessment studies. The Airflow Modeler recommends design improvements, collaborates with architects and engineering teams, supports troubleshooting in existing facilities, and documents and communicates modeling assumptions, methods, results, and proposed solutions. The role also keeps current with developments in CFD methods, software, and data center cooling technologies.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Thermal Sciences, or a related field.
At least 2 years of post-graduate experience in CFD modeling, thermal analysis, or HVAC design.
Experience with internal and external CFD studies; data center, mission-critical facility, or high-performance building experience is preferred.
Understanding of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, turbulence, and atmospheric or environmental flow principles.
Knowledge of data center cooling technologies and industry best practices.
Proficiency in one or more primary CFD platforms, including ANSYS Fluent, Cadence Reality DC Design Pro (formerly 6SigmaDCX), HELYX, STAR-CCM+, SimScale, OpenFOAM, and FLOW-3D.
Experience with geometry preparation, meshing, boundary-condition development, turbulence modeling, solution monitoring, verification, sensitivity analysis, and results interpretation.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, collaboration, and project-management skills.
Proficiency in ANSYS Fluent, Cadence Reality DC Design Pro (formerly 6SigmaDCX), STAR-CCM+, HELYX, SimScale, OpenFOAM, and FLOW-3D.
Experience developing 3D geometry from engineering and architectural drawings and simplifying models in Rhino for CFD analysis.

Nice To Haves

PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Thermal Sciences, or a related field.
Professional Engineer (PE) license or equivalent certifications.
Demonstrated experience evaluating building aerodynamics, thermal or exhaust recirculation, plume dispersion, outdoor-air intake exposure, and equipment-yard performance for data center or mission-critical sites.
Familiarity with FLOW-3D.
Proficiency in Python or MATLAB for data analysis and automation.

Responsibilities

Develop, run, and analyze internal CFD simulations for data center white-space and equipment-room environments.
Model airflow distribution and thermal performance around server racks, containment systems, air-distribution systems, and cooling systems.
Evaluate supply and return airflow, rack inlet temperatures, hot-air recirculation, bypass airflow, pressure distribution, hot spots, and cooling-system effectiveness.
Recommend improvements to equipment layout, airflow management, and cooling performance.
Develop, run, and analyze site-scale CFD simulations for data center campuses and other mission-critical facilities.
Evaluate atmospheric wind flow, equipment-yard airflow, cooling-tower or dry-cooler heat rejection and recirculation, equipment exhaust dispersion, outdoor-air intake exposure, and site effects.
Assess adverse wind directions and operating conditions, identify recirculation or plume-interaction risks, and recommend improvements to equipment placement, intake and discharge separation, screening, and site configuration.
Conduct climate analysis and perform Probability Risk Assessment studies.
Provide actionable recommendations to optimize airflow distribution, reduce hot spots, and improve energy efficiency.
Collaborate with architects and engineers to integrate optimized designs into construction projects and operational workflows.
Partner with mechanical, electrical, and HVAC engineers to ensure designs align with performance and regulatory standards.
Assist with troubleshooting airflow and thermal-management issues in existing facilities.
Prepare reports, visualizations, and presentations that communicate simulation findings and proposed solutions.
Maintain accurate records of modeling assumptions, methods, and outcomes.
Stay current with CFD modeling techniques, software, and data center cooling technologies, and identify opportunities to improve modeling accuracy and efficiency.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision benefits.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
401(k).
Short-term disability (STD), long-term disability (LTD), AD&D, and life insurance.
Paid parental leave.
Reward and recognition program.
Optional wellbeing benefits.
Adoption assistance.
Tuition reimbursement.
Nine paid holidays.
15 days of PTO accrued per year.