Sr. Computational Fluid Dynamics Analyst

Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Oak Ridge (TN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

DOE benefits

Job summary

Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, TN, seeks a senior computational fluid dynamics analyst to apply and extend advanced simulation tools for complex aerodynamic systems in support of the nonproliferation mission. You will develop custom and off-the-shelf approaches in a research environment.

The role requires a PhD or MS with substantial experience, expertise in CFD, mesh generation, HPC, and experience with C++/Python.

Qualifications

• MS degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field with 12+ years experience, or PhD with 6+ years.
• Excellent communication skills including verbal, presentation, and writing.
• Willingness to travel and work in a collaborative R&D environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop simulation software to model complex system flows for the nonproliferation mission space.
• Lead model validation, identify workflow improvements, and communicate issues to the development team.
• Analyze ad hoc problems and contribute to R&D projects in a team setting.
• Document work in technical reports and presentations; brief results throughout project lifecycles.

Skills

CFD analysis

Mesh generation

High-performance computing

C++

Python

Multiphysics modeling

MATLAB

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Surrogate modeling

Education

MS in Aerospace Engineering or related field

PhD in Aerospace Engineering or related field

Tools

C++

Python

Finite element methods

MATLAB

Job description

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation's most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

The Advanced Engineering Technologies (AET) Group is seeking a senior computational fluid dynamics analyst specializing in the use and development of computational simulation software for complex aerodynamic systems in the support of the nonproliferation mission space. This position will involve the creation and use of custom developed and off-the-shelf computational approaches in a research and development atmosphere.

Overview:

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation's most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

The Advanced Engineering Technologies (AET) Group is seeking a senior computational fluid dynamics analyst specializing in the use and development of computational simulation software for complex aerodynamic systems in the support of the nonproliferation mission space. This position will involve the creation and use of custom developed and off-the-shelf computational approaches in a research and development atmosphere.

Major Duties / Responsibilities:

• You will, in collaboration with principal investigators and project management at ORNL, participate in the development of simulation software to model complex system flows in processes relevant to the nuclear nonproliferation mission space.
• You will be expected to be a heavy end user of the tools generated, participate in model validation activities, identify workflow improvements, and communicate issues to the development team for tool improvement.
• Analysis of ad hoc problem sets relevant to the nuclear nonproliferation mission space is expected.
• Performing well as part of a larger project team and being capable of developing simulation software in a collaborative development environment.
• In addition to these responsibilities, you will be a contributor to R&D projects and will be expected to report on and brief results throughout the lifecycle of the various projects assigned to them.
• In this position effectively interacting with various ORNL staff as well as internal and external sponsors is required.
• If selected, you will be expected to work in a team environment with co-workers and management as well as independently; to fully document work performed in the forms of technical reports, papers and presentations; and to participate in the development of research proposals.
• You will interface with principal investigators, management, engineers, fabricators, modelers, and test campaign personnel.

Basic Qualifications:

• M.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field, and a minimum of 12 years of related experience; or a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering or related field and a minimum of 6 years of related experience.
• Excellent communication skills including verbal, presentation, and writing skills are required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated expertise in computational fluid dynamics analysis, with an emphasis on:
  • Mesh generation
  • Steady and unsteady flows
  • Sensitivity studies
  • Validation activities
• Expertise in computational modeling, including numerical analysis, finite element methods, and software engineering
• Experience in software development in the C++ and Python languages
• The ability to work flexible hours and travel
• Experience in an R&D and/or testing environment
• Experience executing in a high-performance computing environment
• Use of AI/ML techniques to develop surrogate models and support scientific discovery
• Experience in multiphysics modeling
• Experience in parallel programming on large-scale computational clusters
• Expertise in Matlab programming
• Active TS/SCI Clearance is preferred

Special Requirement:

• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance from the Department of Energy. As such, this position is a Workplace Substance Abuse (WSAP) testing designated position. WSAP positions require passing a pre-placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program. In addition, due the SCI, you may also be subject to random polygraph testing.

Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements:

For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a Real ID compliant form of identification will be required. Additionally, ORNL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation.

To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

For foreign national candidates:

If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment.

This position is a full-time staff position.

Remarks:

AET resides within the Nuclear Nonproliferation Division (NND) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The NND is a division operating within the National Security Sciences Directorate. NND staff contributes world class research, technology development, risk assessment, and systems analysis related to nonproliferation and counterproliferation. The division activities play a vital role in implementation of national policy issues that strive to ensure global nuclear security. One of the major focus areas of the AET group is the development of advanced approaches to operation, characterization, and analysis of nuclear fuel cycle processes. The group specializes in the application of engineering principles supporting the characterization of processes and related materials. The AET group collaborates and works with staff from other groups within NND and ORNL to assure the full expertise of fuel cycle processes are applied to meet sponsor needs.

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.