Lead CFD Engineer

Thornton Tomasetti; Warrington; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Thornton Tomasetti is seeking an Associate in the Applied Science Practice to provide specialist support in thermofluids and CFD for clients across energy, infrastructure, and defense sectors. The role includes driving new business opportunities, leading projects, and mentoring staff to deliver high-quality results.

You will collaborate with UK and US teams on decarbonisation and built-environment projects, oversee multiple workstreams, and present findings to clients and stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Experience leading consultative projects and guiding junior staff.
• Strong background in thermofluids, CFD, and heat transfer.
• Proven ability to prepare written reports and deliver presentations.
• Robust understanding of fluid mechanics and thermodynamics.

Responsibilities

• Identify new opportunities across industries and interface with clients in the UK and overseas.
• Lead consultancy projects, present results, and help prepare proposals.
• Support and guide staff across multiple technical areas through project lifecycles.
• Enhance engineering systems performance to add client value.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Education

Masters/PhD in applied mathematics / physical science / engineering

Tools

ANSYS-CFX

ANSYS-Fluent

FLACS

OpenFOAM

Job description

Thornton Tomasetti applies engineering and scientific principles to solve the world’s challenges. An independent organization of creative thinkers and innovative doers collaborating from offices worldwide, our mission is to bring our clients' ideas to life and, in the process, lay the groundwork for a better, more resilient future. We provide support and opportunities to our employees to achieve their full potential and cultivate a rewarding career.

The Role

As an Associate in our Applied Science Practice you'll provide specialist technical support regarding thermofluids and computational fluid dynamics to clients across a range of sectors including energy (oil and gas, hydrogen, nuclear and renewables), energy storage systems, carbon capture and storage, infrastructure projects and defense. The successful candidate will help drive new business opportunities in these areas. Leadership qualities are essential to provide support and guidance to other staff as required across a wide range of technical areas and understanding client and project requirements. The successful candidate will oversee team members solving a wide range of challenges across the full lifecycle, from the development of new facilities to the safe operation and ultimate decommissioning of existing facilities.

The UK-based Thermofluids team also collaborates extensively with colleagues in our Thornton Tomasetti US offices, and there will be opportunities to work with international teams supporting high profile projects particularly in decarbonisation and the built environment.

Responsibilities

• Identify new opportunities across a range of different industries.

• Work on a range of consultancy projects and interface with customers in the UK and overseas.

• Support others as well as lead projects across a range of workstreams and attend client meetings to present results and help with preparing project proposals as part of the office business development activity.

• Use your skills, experience, and judgement to support assessment of and design and enhance and improve the performance of engineering systems and processes to add value for client companies.

Requirements

• Enthusiasm for developing new work streams, including identifying opportunities with new clients and engaging with existing clients.

• Comfortable tackling new technical problems and ensuring attention to detail.

• Capable undertaking both written reports and oral presentations.

• Robust understanding of fluid mechanics, thermodynamics and heat transfer.

• Experience of using commercial CFD packages such as ANSYS-CFX, ANSYS-Fluent, FLACS, OpenFOAM.

• Degree (Masters and/or PhD preferred) in a relevant applied mathematics, physical science or engineering discipline OR equivalent training/experience

• More than 7 years of professional experience in this field Due to the nature of the work, the successful candidate will need to be able to obtain UK government security clearance. Eligibility requirements depend on individual circumstances.

Thornton Tomasetti is proud to be an equal employment workplace. Individuals seeking employment at Thornton Tomasetti are considered without regards to age, ancestry, color, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, national origin, protected family care or medical leave status, race, religion (including beliefs and practices or the absence thereof), sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.