NIAR CONSULTANT - Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Engineer

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Wichita (KS); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc. is seeking a talented Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Engineer to join the NIAR Engineering Design and Modification Team. This independent contractor role involves performing complex simulations for aerospace vehicles, contributing engineering insights for design, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.

The ideal candidate will have a Master’s degree or 5+ years of experience in aerospace or mechanical engineering, along with proficiency in leading CFD software. This position is based in Wichita, Kansas, and involves high-performance computing environments.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in aerospace engineering or 5+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience with steady and time-accurate RANS simulations.
• Proficiency with industry-standard unstructured-grid CFD software packages.

Responsibilities

• Perform CFD simulations for aerospace vehicles across multiple speed regimes.
• Conduct steady and time-accurate RANS simulations.
• Document analysis methodologies and results in technical reports.

Skills

Computational Fluid Dynamics

Programming/Scripting (Python, MATLAB, etc.)

Aerodynamics

Fluid Dynamics

High-Performance Computing

Education

Master’s degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering

5+ years of relevant experience with a Bachelor's degree

Tools

Kestrel

FUN3D

STAR-CCM+

ANSYS Fluent

Job description

Department

NIAR Engineering Design and Modification Team

Location

Wichita, KS-WSU McConnell

Job Description

Since its inception in 1985, the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) at Wichita State University has made a name for itself as the most capable university-based aviation research center in the United States, providing research, design, testing, certification and training to the aviation manufacturing industry, government agencies, educational entities and other clients that can benefit from our services. NIAR is looking for a talented CFD Engineer to join our growing, innovative computational aerodynamic team. This position will be an independent contractor consulting as a Computational Fluid Dynamics Engineer to support various diverse customer program efforts.

Essential Functions

• Perform computational fluid dynamics simulations for aerospace vehicles operating across multiple speed regimes, including but not limited to:
  • Low‑speed commercial aircraft.
  • Transonic and supersonic flight.
  • Hypersonic.
• Conduct steady and time‑accurate Reynolds‑Averaged Navier‑Stokes (RANS) simulations to predict aerodynamic and aero‑thermodynamic performance, forces, moments, heat loads, and flow characteristics.
• Generate high‑quality unstructured grids for complex vehicle geometries and perform either manual or automated grid adaptation.
• Analyze and interpret CFD results to provide engineering insights for vehicle design, performance optimization, and mission planning.
• Validate simulation results against other computational approaches, experimental data, and flight test measurements.
• Document analysis methodologies, simulation parameters, and results in technical reports and presentations.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including aerodynamicists, thermodynamicists, aero‑elasticians, flight mechanics, design, stress, and loads engineers.
• Support the development and implementation of best practices for CFD simulation workflows.
• Contribute to code verification and validation activities to ensure simulation accuracy and reliability.

Qualifications / Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or closely related field; or 5+ years of relevant experience with a Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or closely related field.
• Experience with steady and time‑accurate RANS simulations.
• Demonstrated proficiency with industry‑standard unstructured‑grid CFD software packages (Kestrel, FUN3D, STAR‑CCM+, ANSYS Fluent, or equivalent).
• Strong background in fluid dynamics, aerodynamics, and numerical methods.
• Experience with grid generation tools (unstructured and hybrid meshes).
• Proficiency in Linux/Unix environments and high‑performance computing (HPC) systems.
• Experience analyzing flows across multiple Mach number regimes.
• Strong programming/scripting skills (Python, MATLAB, Fortran, C/C++, or similar).
• Ability to process and visualize large datasets (Tecplot, ParaView, FieldView, or equivalent).
• Excellent problem‑solving and analytical capabilities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Proven track record of technical documentation and reporting.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency with CFD code and automated grid refinement.
• Experience with hypersonic flow physics, including:
  • High‑temperature gas effects
  • Chemical non‑equilibrium
  • Radiation heat transfer
  • Ablation modeling
• Familiarity with scale‑resolving methods, including:
  • Hybrid RANS‑LES approaches
  • Large Eddy Simulation (LES) and Wall‑Modeled LES (WMLES)
  • Detached Eddy Simulation (DES) and variants (DDES, IDDES)
  • Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS)
• Knowledge of uncertainty quantification and sensitivity analysis techniques.
• Experience with high‑lift device analysis (flaps, slats, landing gear aerodynamics).
• Experience with automated workflow development and parametric studies.
• Experience with programming for high‑performance computing (MPI, CUDA/HIP/SYCL for GPUs, OpenMP).
• Experience with multi‑body and overset mesh generation and CFD.
• Background in experimental aerodynamics and wind tunnel testing.
• Publications in peer‑reviewed journals or conference proceedings.

All services will be provided as an independent contractor, pursuant to a Professional Services Agreement, which must be executed prior to being assigned any work.