Lead Research Scientist - Structural Engineering

FM•Norwood, MA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

FM is a leading mutual insurance company focused on property risk management and resilience. This multi-level research and engineering opportunity involves leading and conducting research using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), coupled Multiphysics modeling, and Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) to assess how fluids and structures interact under various conditions. The successful candidate will develop, validate, and apply computational methods to enhance the understanding of loading, response, damage, failure, reliability, resilience, and property loss across multiple industries. Applications may include modeling wind and tornado loads on large buildings, wind loads on renewable energy systems, and loads from wind, flood, wave, and current on structures and infrastructure. These applications will integrate FSI, finite element analysis, experiments, model validation, and uncertainty quantification to support structural risk and fragility modeling, natural hazard assessment, loss estimation, and practical loss-prevention solutions.

Requirements

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a closely related field required; plus 3 years of relevant experience preferred, or Master’s degree in one of these fields plus at least 5 years of relevant experience considered, 10 years strongly preferred.
A strong background in CFD and demonstrated experience developing and validating coupled fluid–structure interaction (FSI) and multi physics models are required.
Experience with CFD, structural, and multi physics software such as ANSYS Fluent/CFX, OpenFOAM, STAR-CCM+, Abaqus, or comparable platforms.
Strong scientific programming and data-analysis skills using Python, C++, MATLAB, or similar tools.
Experience verifying and validating simulations using analytical solutions, benchmark cases, wind-tunnel or laboratory experiments, field measurements, or operational data; identifying model assumptions, strengths, limitations, and uncertainty; and clearly explaining their effects on engineering, risk, and loss estimates.
Experience applying finite element analysis and structural dynamics to evaluate stress, deformation, vibration, fatigue, buckling, damage, or failure.
Experience in one or more application areas, such as wind engineering and the built environment or renewable energy generation and storage.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex simulation methods and results to different audiences.
Ability to take initiative, work independently, and collaborate effectively within an interdisciplinary research environment.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, reduced-order modeling, uncertainty quantification, sensitivity analysis, or optimization for simulation-intensive engineering problems.
Experience with structural reliability, vulnerability or fragility development, probabilistic analysis, catastrophe risk modeling, or loss estimation is an asset.
Knowledge of the analysis and design of reinforced concrete, steel, and wood buildings and foundations for wind, tornado, earthquake, snow, and flood loads is preferred; candidates willing to develop this knowledge through training will also be considered.

Responsibilities

Lead research using computational fluid dynamics (CFD), fluid–structure interaction (FSI), and coupled multiphysics methods to evaluate fluid loading, structural response, heat transfer, vibration, damage, and failure.
Develop high-fidelity and fit-for-purpose CFD and FSI models, including appropriate geometry, meshing, turbulence treatment, boundary conditions, coupling strategies, material behavior, and solution controls.
Model wind and tornado loads on large buildings and other structures, including wind effects on rooftop equipment, ground-mounted and rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems, wind turbines, cooling towers, stacks, and other exposed components.
Evaluate wind, flood, wave, and current loads on structures and infrastructure, as well as flow-induced vibration and aerodynamic instability.
Couple CFD with finite element and structural dynamics models to predict stresses, deformation, fatigue, buckling, damage progression, and failure under operational and extreme events.
Use available wind-tunnel, laboratory, component, or system-level experiments to calibrate and validate CFD, FSI, and reduced-order models.
Assess model sensitivity, uncertainty, verification, validation, strengths, and limitations, and communicate their implications for engineering and risk decisions.
Integrate simulation results with structural reliability, vulnerability and fragility modeling, natural hazard risk assessment, and loss estimation.
Develop and evaluate mitigation measures, improve structural or equipment resilience, and support property loss prevention.
Collaborate with scientists, engineers, modelers, business stakeholders, academic partners, and industry organizations to define research needs and implement results.
Prepare high-quality technical reports, presentations, scientific publications, engineering guidance, and recommendations for technical and nontechnical audiences.
Support research project planning, execution, documentation, quality assurance, and implementation.