AI / Simulation Staff Engineer Fire and Explosion

UL, LLC; Northbrook (IL); On-site; USD 115,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401K

Paid time off

Job summary

UL Solutions is seeking a driven individual to join the Modeling and Simulation and R&D teams to tackle energy, fire protection, and safety problems. You will build computational models of vented deflagrations, fire spread, and thermal degradation using CFD/FEA tools and validate them with lab work.

The role requires advanced degrees and 8–12 years of relevant experience, with proficiency in Ansys, OpenFOAM, ConvergeCFD, FDS and FLACS.

Qualifications

• Robust knowledge of heat transfer, combustion, material decomposition, fire dynamics and CFD.
• Experience with state-of-the-art CFD and finite element analysis software.
• Experience in modeling fluid flows, combustion and heat transfer; deflagrations preferred.
• Experience with Ansys, OpenFoam, ConvergeCFD, FDS and FLACS is preferred.
• Demonstrates ability to maintain knowledge via literature and conferences.

Responsibilities

• Under general direction, build computational models of physical phenomena for client projects.
• Apply physics and chemistry to create computational models with sound assumptions.
• Carry out simulation work including pre-processing, post-processing and documentation.
• Assess project specs, select tools and analyze results for adequacy and accuracy.
• Devise hands-on lab work for model validation.
• Complete technical reports detailing modeling strategy and outcomes.
• Communicate with clients to manage projects from start to finish.
• Collaborate across industries and stakeholders and provide timelines.
• Stay ahead of technologies by reading journals and presenting findings.

Skills

Heat transfer

Combustion

Material decomposition

Fire dynamics

CFD

Education

BS in Mechanical Engineering

BS in Chemical Engineering

Computational Fluid Dynamics

MS or PhD preferred

Tools

ANSYS

OpenFOAM

ConvergeCFD

FDS

FLACS

Job description

The UL Solutions Modeling and Simulation team and Research and Development team are seeking a driven and team-oriented individual to work with us on modeling and simulation of emerging fire and explosion safety problems. Many of these problems will focus on the energy and fire protection industries, including lithium-ion battery thermal runaway, battery energy storage system gas explosions and fires in the built environment. Robust knowledge of heat transfer, combustion, material decomposition, fire dynamics and computational fluid dynamics is required. Robust knowledge of state-of-the‑art computational fluid dynamics software and finite element analysis software is also required. A successful candidate will be creative, curious, adaptable to a fast-paced and multi‑disciplined environment and willing to work collaboratively with a team of other engineers and scientists to problem solve.

• Under general direction, build computational models of physical phenomena such as vented deflagrations, fire suppression, fire spread, material thermal decomposition and fluid flows for internal and external client projects using commercially available software packages.

• Apply fundamental understanding of the relevant physics and chemistry to create computational models of scenarios with sound assumptions and reasoning.

• Carry out engineering analyses and simulation engineering work, including pre-processing and post processing of simulation projects, documentation of the simulation inputs and key output parameters, and timely completion.

• Assess project specifications, determine simulation tools, and analyze results for adequacy and accuracy.

• Under general direction, devise and participate in hands‑on laboratory work for model validation efforts

• Complete technical reports of work completed, including all information and details about modeling strategy, approach and outcome.

• Communicate with internal and external clients to develop and manage projects from start to finish.

• Work across industries / segments, collaborate with key stakeholders, and provide timeline communications to both internal and external stakeholders.

• Have a team player mindset, giving priority to team goals and maintaining good team relationships.

• Stay ahead of changing technologies in the field by reading journals and scientific publications, attending academic conferences, writing, and collaborating on original publications, and delivering presentations on research engineering topics.

• Collaborate with industry, academics and other research and development staff to apply the results of modeling and simulation efforts used to develop new techniques, products, practices, and UL Standards.

• Where appropriate, present projects and findings at academic and industry conferences.

• BS in mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, combustion science, computational fluid dynamics or other relevant disciplines is required. MS or PhD preferred.

• MS or PhD requires 8-12 years of relevant work experience. BS requires 10-14 years of relevant work experience.

• Experience in advanced modeling and simulation of fluid flows, combustion and heat transfer is required. Experience in modeling deflagrations and fire dynamics is preferred.

• Experience in commercial CFD software and codes is required. Experience in Ansys, OpenFoam, ConvergeCFD, Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) and Flame Acceleration Simulator (FLACS) is preferred.

• Demonstrates knowledge of engineering disciplines and other sciences.

• Demonstrates the ability to maintain academic and applied knowledge through reading academic articles and journals and participating in continuing education activities.

• Demonstrates the ability to collaborate with peers directly and maintain personal networks.

• Excellent communication and technical writing skills are required.

• Can work independently. Interprets internal/external business challenges and recommends best practices to improve products, processes or services.

What you’ll experience working for ULS

UL Solutions has been pioneering change since 1894 and we’re still leading the way. From day one, we’ve blazed a trail protecting the planet and everyone on it. Our teams have influenced billions of products, plus services, software offerings and more. We break things, burn things and blow things up. All in the name of safety science.

That’s where you come in — because none of it could happen without you. It takes passion to protect people, problem‑solving to safeguard personal data and conviction to make the world a more sustainable place. It takes bold ideas and brilliant minds to build a better world for future generations across the globe.

This is more than a job. It’s a calling. A passion to use our expertise and play our part in creating a more secure, sustainable world today — and tomorrow. As a member of our safety science community, you’ll use your ideas, your energy and your ambition to innovate, challenge and ultimately, help create a safer world.

Everyone here is unique. But we’re also a global community, working together to help create a safer world. Join UL Solutions and you can connect with the brightest minds in the business, all bringing their distinct perspectives and diverse backgrounds together to deliver real change.

Empowering our customers to keep the world safe means thinking ahead. It means investing in training and empowering our people to learn and innovate. At UL Solutions, we help build a better future — one where everyone benefits.

Join UL Solutions to be at the center of safety. To learn more about us and the work we do, visitUL.com

Total Rewards: We understand compensation is an important factor as you consider the next step in your career. The estimated salary range for this position is $115,000 to $155,000 USD and is based on multiple factors, including job‑related knowledge/skills, experience, geographical location, as well as other factors. This position is eligible for annual bonus compensation with a target payout of 20% of the base salary. This position also provides health benefits such as medical, dental and vision; wellness benefits such as mental and financial health; and retirement savings (401K) commensurate with the standard rewards offered in each individual location or country. We also provide full‑time employees with paid time off including vacation (15 days), holiday and personal days (totaling 12 days) and sick time off (72 hours).

A global leader in applied safety science, UL Solutions (NYSE: ULS) transforms safety, security and sustainability challenges into opportunities for customers in more than 110 countries. UL Solutions delivers testing, inspection and certification services, together with software products and advisory offering that support our customers’ product innovation and business growth. The UL Mark serves as a recognized symbol of trust in our customers’ products and reflects an unwavering commitment to advancing our safety mission. We help our customers innovate, launch new products and services, navigate global markets and complex supply chains, and grow sustainably and responsibly into the future. Our science is your advantage.

UL LLC has been and will continue to be an equal opportunity employer. To assure full implementation of this equal employment policy, we will take steps to assure that:

Persons are recruited, hired, assigned and promoted without regard to race, color, age, sex or gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, religion, creed, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship, ancestry, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, pregnancy, marital or familial status, or any other protected category under applicable law.