Principal CFD Modeling Engineer

Jensen Hughes • Baltimore, MD

5h

About The Position

Jensen Hughes is seeking a Principal CFD Modeling Engineer to serve as a senior technical leader in advanced fire and thermal-fluid modeling. This role is designed for an expert practitioner with deep mastery of the Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) who is motivated by solving complex, real-world fire and fluid-flow problems through rigorous, physics-based modeling and experimental validation. In this role, you will operate at the intersection of advanced computation, fire testing, and applied research , influencing both project outcomes and the evolution of company-wide modeling methodologies. You will be trusted to lead technically challenging work, mentor other engineers, and represent Jensen Hughes as a thought leader with clients and the broader fire science community.

Requirements

• Graduate degree in engineering with a focus on thermal-fluid sciences
• 15+ years of professional experience applying CFD tools (including FDS) to fire dynamics, heat transfer, and fluid-flow problems across commercial and applied research projects
• Directly relevant post-graduate research may count for up to five years of this experience
• Deep working knowledge of the FDS Validation Guide, Technical Reference Guide, and User Guide
• Advanced understanding of topics such as: Radiation transport equations, Gas-phase absorption coefficients, Pyrolysis modeling within the FDS framework
• Demonstrated experience using experimental fire test data to validate and refine numerical models
• Knowledge of numerical modeling approaches and their limitations, particularly for large-scale or outdoor fire scenarios
• Proficiency in Python and Fortran or similar scientific programming languages
• Strong analytical, documentation, and communication skills, including the ability to clearly explain complex modeling results to technical and non-technical audiences
• Ability to work independently while also thriving in a collaborative, multidisciplinary technical environment

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, execution, and refinement of high-fidelity CFD models using FDS for fire dynamics, fluid flow, and heat transfer applications
• Partner closely with experimental testing teams to design test programs, select instrumentation, and produce high-quality validation datasets
• Analyze experimental results and integrate findings into model validation and improvement frameworks
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to other engineers, helping shape best practices in CFD modeling and fire science
• Present technical work to clients, industry groups, and at professional conferences
• Author and review technical reports, proposals, and peer-reviewed publications
• Support strategic initiatives related to physics-based modeling, test programs, and methodology development

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees