Senior Associate, Computational Fluid Dynamics

JB&B•New York, NY

6d•$160,000 - $184,000•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a dynamic and motivated Senior CFD Specialist to join our Built Pillar team. In this role, you will be instrumental in advancing our CFD practice at the intersection of fluid dynamics, building science, and human outcomes—helping clients answer complex questions about airflow, contaminant transport, exhaust dispersion, occupant comfort, and environmental performance. From evaluating how pathogens travel through a hospital corridor to determining whether a rooftop exhaust system is re-entraining its own discharge or whether an outdoor terrace will be comfortable, this role applies technical mastery to meaningful, real-world challenges. The ideal candidate brings strong technical expertise, sound judgment, and the leadership capability to manage projects end-to-end, mentor junior staff, own client relationships, and help shape the continued growth and direction of the practice. If you are passionate about computational fluid dynamics, building performance, and using technical insight to improve the built environment, we want to hear from you.

Requirements

Deep knowledge of CFD fundamentals, including turbulence modeling, mesh sensitivity, boundary conditions, solver selection, and practical application under real project constraints. Hands-on experience with SimScale and/or Flovent required; familiarity with other simulation platforms is a plus. Strong HVAC fundamentals, including heat transfer, airflow, and psychometrics, are required.
Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to lead client meetings, field complex technical questions, and translate simulation results into clear, actionable recommendations for design teams and stakeholders.
Rigorous analytical judgment and critical thinking skills, with the ability to evaluate model limitations, interpret complex results, resolve technical challenges, and make sound recommendations under schedule and project constraints.
Collaborative, client-ready, and team-oriented, with the ability to mentor junior staff, raise the technical quality of the group, and build productive relationships with clients, design teams, and internal stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to think beyond the current project, contribute to service development, support business growth, and help shape the long-term direction of a high-performing CFD practice.
B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Civil/Environmental Engineering, or a closely related field required; advanced degree preferred.
8–10+ years of relevant experience in CFD modeling or building simulation applied to HVAC, building performance, or built environment applications.
Experience across some combination of healthcare design, smoke control, contaminant transport, pathogen dispersion, outdoor airflow, laboratory environments, mission-critical facilities, or thermal comfort assessment.
Proven track record managing project scope, schedule, budget, and client expectations in a consulting environment.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with other simulation platforms is a plus.

Responsibilities

Lead CFD model development using SimScale, Flovent, and related platforms across complex building types, including healthcare, high-rise, laboratory, and mission-critical environments. Evaluate thermal comfort, airflow distribution, occupant health outcomes, radiant effects, solar gain, and building envelope interactions.
Model outdoor airflow dynamics, including exhaust re-entrainment, equipment air intake and discharge, wind effects at building openings, contaminant and pathogen dispersion, and thermal microclimate effects from heat pumps, generators, cooling towers, and other heat rejection sources.
Own projects end-to-end, including scope development, schedule management, budget tracking, billing, fee burn, earned value, profitability monitoring, and early identification of project risks or financial concerns.
Review CFD models produced by junior staff, including mesh quality, boundary conditions, turbulence model selection, solver setup, and result interpretation. Establish and maintain QC protocols and documentation standards for the group.
Lead client meetings and design reviews, translating simulation results into clear, actionable guidance. Build and maintain client relationships across multi-phase and repeat engagements, contribute to RFQ responses, proposals, scope narratives, fee estimates, staffing plans, and client outreach in target sectors.
Mentor junior staff, support their technical and professional development, and help shape the CFD practice’s direction through tool selection, workflow development, market positioning, service offerings, and thought leadership, including papers, conference presentations, and content that raises JB&B’s profile in building performance simulation.