Simulation Engineer - CFD (Combustion)

Cadfem; Hyderabad; On-site; INR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Cadfem in India (Hyderabad) seeks a specialist in Computational Fluid Dynamics for high-speed reactive flows in scramjet engines. You will simulate, analyze, and optimize combustion processes using ANSYS Fluent, Chemkin, and STAR-CCM+ to capture turbulence-chemistry interactions and heat transfer effects.

The role requires a deep understanding of combustion concepts, kinetic mechanisms, and high-enthalpy flow physics, with a focus on model development, validation, and interfacing with project

Qualifications

• Simulate high-speed reactive flows in scramjet engines using ANSYS Fluent and ANSYS Chemkin.
• Model combustion kinetics and fuel-air mixing under supersonic/hypersonic conditions.
• Perform parametric studies to improve combustion efficiency and reduce thermal loads.
• Knowledge of high-enthalpy flow physics and shock-induced combustion phenomena.
• Knowledge of Scramjet Combustion Modelling mandatory.
• Strong fundamentals in CFD with ANSYS Chemkin knowledge - Preferred.
• Aerospace or Mechanical background with strong combustion simulations knowledge.
• Knowledge of gas dynamics and shock interactions mandatory.
• Knowledge of external aerodynamics – mandatory.
• Basic MATLAB for post-processing.

Responsibilities

• Perform high-fidelity CFD simulations of high-speed reactive flows in scramjet and ramjet engines using ANSYS Fluent and Chemkin.
• Model combustion kinetics and fuel–air mixing under supersonic and hypersonic flow conditions.
• Develop and validate detailed or reduced chemical kinetic mechanisms for hydrogen, hydrocarbon, or multi-species fuels.
• Simulate high-enthalpy flow environments, accounting for thermochemical nonequilibrium, dissociation, recombination, and radiation effects.
• Analyze shock–combustion interactions and shock-induced ignition phenomena.
• Conduct parametric and design studies to optimize fuel injection strategies and combustor geometries.
• Generate high-quality meshes and ensure grid independence for reactive-flow regions.
• Apply turbulence and combustion models (RANS, LES, DES, Flamelet, PDF, Finite Rate/Eddy Dissipation).
• Post-process results to extract combustion efficiency, heat release, species distribution, and total pressure loss.
• Document CFD analyses and present technical findings for design optimization.

Skills

Combustion concepts

Turbulence-chemistry interaction

Problem-solving

CFD fundamentals

Shock interactions

Education

Bachelors in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

ANSYS Fluent

ANSYS Chemkin

STAR-CCM+

OpenFOAM

MATLAB

Job description

Expertise in CFD and Scramjet Combustion. The ideal candidate will have adeep understanding of Combustion concepts, turbulence-chemistryinteraction models, chemistry solvers. Reaction Kinetics modeling usingChemkin and possessexcellent problem-solving skills to deliver high-qualitysimulations for various projects. Function as a solution specialist in the field ofComputational Fluid Dynamics using simulation tools such as ANSYS FLUENT,Chemkin or Star CCM+.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform high-fidelity CFD simulations of high-speed reactive flows inscramjet and ramjet engines using tools such as ANSYS Fluent and ANSYSChemkin, capturing coupled effects of fluid dynamics, combustion, andheat transfer.
  
• Model combustion kinetics and fuel–air mixing under supersonic andhypersonic flow conditions, incorporating finite-rate chemistry, turbulencechemistry interaction, and high-temperature gas effects.
  
• Develop and validate detailed or reduced chemical kinetic mechanisms forhydrogen, hydrocarbon, or multi-species fuel systems to predict ignitiondelay, flame structure, and combustion efficiency accurately.
  
• Simulate high-enthalpy flow environments, accounting for thermochemicalnonequilibrium, dissociation, recombination, and radiation effects relevantto hypersonic combustion systems.
  
• Analyze shock–combustion interactions and shock-induced ignitionphenomena, studying flame stabilization, pressure rise, and thermalchoking effects within scramjet isolators and combustors.
  
• Conduct parametric and design studies to optimize fuel injection strategies,mixing enhancement techniques, and combustor geometries for improvedefficiency and reduced total temperature and wall heat loads.
  
• Generate high-quality meshes and ensure grid independence for reactiveflow regions, capturing boundary layers, shear layers, and flame fronts accurately in complex combustor geometries.
  
• Apply and compare turbulence and combustion models (RANS, LES, DES,Flamelet, PDF, or Finite Rate/Eddy Dissipation models) to ensure robust andphysically accurate prediction of reacting flow fields.
  
• Post-process and interpret simulation results to extract key performanceparameters such as combustion efficiency, heat release rate, speciesdistribution, total pressure loss, and thermal loading, supporting designdecision-making.
  
• Document and present technical findings through comprehensive reportsand visualization of flame structures, flow fields, and temperature contours,providing recommendations for combust or performance optimization andsystem reliability improvement. Troubleshoot and resolve design issuesrelating to convergence issues.
  
• Document CFD analyses, simulation methodology, and results inprofessional engineering reports and presentations.
  
• Support testing team when needed, correlate simulation predictions withactual measurements or lab tests.
  
• Interface with customers and project teams to understand requirements,communicate progress, and propose design modifications.
  
• Stay abreast of advancements in simulation methodologies, electronicscooling, and thermal management technologies
  

Requirements

Required Skills:

• Simulate high-speed reactive flows in scramjet enginesusing ANSYS Fluent and ANSYS Chemkin.
  
• Model combustion kinetics and fuel-air mixing undersupersonic/hypersonic conditions.
  
• Perform parametric studies to improve combustionefficiency and reduce thermal loads.
  
• Knowledge of high-enthalpy flow physics and shockinduced combustion phenomena.
  
• Knowledge of Scramjet Combustion Modellingmandatory
  
• Strong fundamentals in CFD with Ansys Chemkinknowledge- Preferred
  
• Aerospace (or) Mechanical with strong knowledge onCombustion simulations
  
• Knowledge of gas dynamics and shock interactionsmandatory
  
• Knowledge of external aerodynamics– mandatory
  
• Basic knowledge of MATLAB for post-processing
  

Preferred Skills:

• Strong foundation in combustion physics and gasdynamics, including ignition, flame stabilization, and highenthalpy reacting flows.
  
• Proficiency in CFD tools such as ANSYS Fluent, ANSYSChemkin, STAR-CCM+, or OpenFOAM for simulatingreactive and compressible flows.
  
• Experience with combustion models — finite-ratechemistry, Eddy Dissipation, Flamelet, or PDF approaches—and selection based on flow regime.
  
• Knowledge of turbulence–chemistry interaction usingRANS, LES, or DES methods for accurate prediction ofunsteady reacting flows
  
• Skill in developing and reducing chemical kineticmechanisms using Chemkin, Cantera, or ReactionWorkbench for hydrogen or hydrocarbon fuels.
  
• Ability to analyze shock-induced combustion andsupersonic/Hypersonic reacting flows, including scramjetand ramjet applications.
  
• Sound background in Combustion, Computational FluidDynamics [CFD], Aerodynamics, & Aerothermodynamics,Scramjet Engine CFD Modelling, Propulsion, LiquidPropellant Rocket Engine Physics.