Computational Fluid Dynamics Applications Engineer

Analytical Mechanics Associates•Hampton, VA

1d•$84,000 - $110,000•Onsite

About The Position

Position Overview AMA is seeking an experienced Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Applications Engineer to perform aerodynamic and aerothermodynamic analyses and simulations across a wide range of flight regimes in support of a NASA contract. The successful candidate will apply advanced CFD methodologies to analyze vehicle performance spanning low-speed commercial aircraft configurations through hypersonic re-entry conditions, contributing to the advancement of aerospace vehicle design and mission success. Work will be performed in an office environment with access to high-performance computing resource. This position may require occasional travel to other NASA centers, research facilities, or technical conferences. Approximate salary range for this role is $84,000-$110,000 commensurate with education and experience.

Requirements

Master’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or closely related field; or 2+ years of relevant experience with a Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or closely related field.
2 years of experience with steady RANS simulations.
Demonstrated proficiency with industry-standard unstructured-grid CFD software packages (FUN3D, STAR-CCM+, ANSYS Fluent, or equivalent).
Strong background in fluid dynamics, aerodynamics, and numerical methods.
Experience with grid generation tools (unstructured and hybrid meshes)
Proficiency in Linux/Unix environments and high-performance computing (HPC) systems.
Experience analyzing flows across multiple Mach number regimes.
Strong programming/scripting skills (Python, MATLAB, Fortran, C/C++, or similar).
Ability to process and visualize large datasets (Tecplot, ParaView, FieldView, or equivalent).
Excellent problem-solving and analytical capabilities
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team
Proven track record of technical documentation and reporting
U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residence

Nice To Haves

Proficiency with the NASA-developed CFD code and automated grid refinement
Experience with steady RANS simulations such as: Turbulence modeling (k-ε, k-ω, SST, Spalart-Allmaras, etc.) Compressible and incompressible flow solvers applied to subsonic through supersonic regimes High-lift aerodynamics and complex flow phenomena
Experience with hypersonic flow physics, including: High-temperature gas effects Chemical non-equilibrium Radiation heat transfer Ablation modeling
Familiarity with scale-resolving methods, including: Hybrid RANS-LES approaches Large Eddy Simulation (LES) and Wall-Modeled LES (WMLES) Detached Eddy Simulation (DES) and variants (DDES, IDDES) Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS)
Knowledge of uncertainty quantification and sensitivity analysis techniques
Experience with high-lift device analysis (flaps, slats, landing gear aerodynamics)
Experience with automated workflow development and parametric studies
Experience with programming for high-performance computing (MPI, CUDA/HIP/SYCL for GPUs, OpenMP)
Background in experimental aerodynamics and wind tunnel testing
Publications in peer-reviewed journals or conference proceedings
U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residence Required.

Responsibilities

Perform computational fluid dynamics simulations for aerospace vehicles operating across multiple speed regimes, including but not limited to: Low-speed commercial aircraft in landing configurations Transonic and supersonic flight conditions Hypersonic reentry of crew and cargo configurations
Conduct steady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulations to predict aerodynamic and aerothermodynamic performance, forces, moments, heat loads, and flow characteristics.
Generate high-quality unstructured grids for complex vehicle geometries and perform either manual or automated grid adaptation.
Analyze and interpret CFD results to provide engineering insights for vehicle design, performance optimization, and mission planning.
Validate simulation results against other computational approaches, experimental data, and flight test measurements.
Document analysis methodologies, simulation parameters, and results in technical reports and presentation.s
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including aerodynamicists, aerothermodynamicists, aeroelasticians, and flight mechanics engineers.
Support the development and implementation of best practices for CFD simulation workflows.
Contribute to code verification and validation activities to ensure simulation accuracy and reliability.