Senior Scientist / Scientist, Design Optimisation and Engineering Simulation

A*STAR - Agency for Science, Technology and Research; Singapore; On-site; SGD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

A*STAR is seeking a Scientist to develop innovative product and component solutions using engineering simulation, design optimisation and advanced manufacturing technologies in Singapore. You will apply computational and analytical methods to optimise product performance, evaluate design concepts, and support next-generation components enabled by additive and hybrid manufacturing.

The role suits recent PhD graduates and early-career researchers who enjoy solving complex engineering challenges

Qualifications

• PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Engineering, Civil Engineering, Applied Physics or a related discipline.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Experience in computational modelling, simulation or engineering analysis.
• Ability to translate engineering challenges into structured technical investigations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop and apply engineering simulation and modelling methodologies to evaluate product and component performance.
• Perform design optimisation studies for structural, thermal, fluid, multiphysics or manufacturing-related applications.
• Translate engineering requirements into design objectives, constraints and validation criteria.
• Assess the impact of manufacturing constraints on product performance and design decisions.
• Support the development of components enabled by additive manufacturing and hybrid manufacturing technologies.
• Evaluate trade-offs between performance, manufacturability, reliability and production considerations.
• Work closely with manufacturing engineers and researchers to ensure designs can be practically produced and validated.
• Design studies and validation activities to assess engineering concepts and simulation predictions.
• Contribute to the development of reusable methodologies, design frameworks and engineering tools.
• Contribute to technical reports, proposals and knowledge-generation activities.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Computational modelling

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

PhD in Mechanical or related engineering

Tools

FEM software

CFD software

Design optimisation tools

Job description

Shape the Next Generation of Advanced Manufactured Products We are seeking a Scientist to develop innovative product and component solutions using engineering simulation, design optimisation and advanced manufacturing technologies. In this role, you will help transform engineering requirements into practical and manufacturable solutions. You will develop and apply computational and analytical methods to optimise product performance, evaluate design concepts, and support the development of next-generation components enabled by additive and hybrid manufacturing. Working alongside experts in additive manufacturing, process development, materials engineering, digital manufacturing and automation, you will contribute to multidisciplinary projects spanning design exploration, simulation, validation and technology implementation. The role is suitable for recent PhD graduates and early-career researchers who enjoy solving complex engineering challenges through a combination of analytical thinking, simulation and experimental validation. Over time, successful candidates will have opportunities to develop technical leadership capabilities and contribute to larger multidisciplinary programmes involving advanced manufacturing and engineering innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and apply engineering simulation and modelling methodologies to evaluate product and component performance.
• Perform design optimisation studies for structural, thermal, fluid, multiphysics or manufacturing-related applications.
• Translate engineering requirements into design objectives, constraints and validation criteria.
• Assess the impact of manufacturing constraints on product performance and design decisions.
• Support the development of components enabled by additive manufacturing and hybrid manufacturing technologies.
• Evaluate trade-offs between performance, manufacturability, reliability and production considerations.
• Work closely with manufacturing engineers and researchers to ensure designs can be practically produced and validated.
• Design studies and validation activities to assess engineering concepts and simulation predictions.
• Contribute to the development of reusable methodologies, design frameworks and engineering tools.
• Contribute to technical reports, proposals and knowledge-generation activities.

Requirements

• PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Engineering, Civil Engineering, Applied Physics or a related discipline.
• For appointment as Senior Scientist, candidates would typically possess 3-8 years of relevant experience in simulation, engineering analysis, product development, design optimisation, advanced manufacturing or related fields. Outstanding candidates with fewer years of experience may be considered for appointment as Scientist.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Experience in computational modelling, simulation or engineering analysis.
• Ability to translate engineering challenges into structured technical investigations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams.

Preferred Experience

Experience in one or more of the following areas will be advantageous:

• Topology optimisation
• Design optimisation
• Finite element analysis
• Computational fluid dynamics
• Thermal simulation
• Multiphysics modelling
• Structural mechanics
• Fatigue and durability assessment
• Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM)
• Engineering design methodologies
• Product development
• Digital engineering
• Data analytics and optimisation methods
• Experimental validation of simulation models

Direct experience in additive manufacturing is beneficial but not essential for candidates with strong and transferable expertise in related engineering disciplines.

Who Will Succeed In This Role

We are looking for someone who:

• Enjoys solving challenging engineering problems.
• Is curious about how products function and why they fail.
• Thinks critically about the relationship between design, manufacturing and performance.
• Uses evidence, analysis and simulation to support engineering decisions.
• Is comfortable working across multiple technical disciplines.
• Appreciates that successful products must be both high-performing and manufacturable.
• Is motivated to develop solutions that can ultimately be implemented in practice.

What We Offer

• Opportunities to work on advanced engineering and manufacturing technologies.
• Exposure to design optimisation, additive manufacturing, digital engineering and advanced product development.
• Access to multidisciplinary expertise spanning engineering, manufacturing and technology development.
• Opportunities to contribute to projects with industrial relevance and impact.
• A pathway to develop from a technical contributor into a future technology and programme leader.

Why This Role Is Different

Many simulation and optimisation roles focus on producing models, analyses or optimised geometries. This role goes beyond simulation. You will help determine how engineering requirements can be translated into practical, manufacturable and verifiable solutions. You will work at the intersection of design, engineering analysis and advanced manufacturing, helping create technologies and products that can ultimately be deployed in real-world applications.

If you are excited by combining engineering science, simulation and innovation to solve meaningful challenges, we would like to hear from you.