Simulation Engineer - CFD (Combustion)

CADFEM India Pvt. Ltd.; Hyderabad; On-site; INR 1,200,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Job summary

CADFEM India Pvt. Ltd. seeks an expert in CFD and combustion for high-speed reactive flows in scramjet/ramjet engines.

The role requires deep knowledge of turbulence-chemistry interaction, chemistry solvers, and problem-solving skills to deliver high-quality simulations for diverse projects. You will use tools like ANSYS Fluent, ANSYS Chemkin, and STAR-CCM+ to model combustion kinetics, validate mechanisms, and optimize fuel injection and mixing in hypersonic conditions.

Qualifications

• Must simulate high-speed reactive flows in scramjet engines.
• Knowledge of combustion kinetics and fuel-air mixing.
• Experience with parametric studies for optimization.
• Familiarity with hypersonic flow physics and shock interactions.

Responsibilities

• Perform high-fidelity CFD simulations of high-speed reactive flows in scramjet/ramjet engines.
• Model combustion kinetics and fuel-air mixing under supersonic/hypersonic conditions.
• Develop and validate detailed or reduced chemical kinetic mechanisms for hydrocarbon fuels.
• Analyze shock-combustion interactions and flame stabilization in scramjet systems.
• Interface with project teams to communicate progress and design changes.

Skills

CFD fundamentals

Combustion physics

Turbulence-chemistry interaction

Problem solving

Education

Aerospace or Mechanical engineering degree

Tools

ANSYS Fluent

ANSYS Chemkin

STAR-CCM+

OpenFOAM

Job description

Expertise in CFD and Scramjet Combustion. The ideal candidate will have a deep 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.