Sr Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) / Simulation Engineer

Peraton; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Peraton is seeking a data-center-focused CFD/thermal engineer to lead airflow and cooling simulations across its portfolio in Austin, TX. You will deliver reports and design recommendations for containment, tile layouts, and infrastructure improvements.

You will calibrate models using DCIM sensor data and BMS telemetry, mentor mid-level engineers, and collaborate with facilities and mechanical teams to implement effective interventions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering; 8+ years CFD/thermal modeling experience.
• Education substitutions per framework: Master's/PhD equivalents add experience; alternate paths accepted.

Responsibilities

• Lead CFD and thermal modeling studies to characterize airflow, cooling, capacity, and energy efficiency across the data center portfolio.
• Deliver CFD simulation reports and design recommendations for containment, tile layout, aisle configuration, and cooling infrastructure improvements.
• Calibrate models against DCIM sensor and BMS telemetry; validate accuracy against real-world conditions.
• Mentor mid-level CFD engineers; establish modeling standards and quality gates for the team.
• Partner with critical facilities and mechanical engineers to translate simulation findings into interventions.

Skills

CFD expertise

Thermal modeling

Mentoring

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Education substitutions (per framework)

Tools

TileFlow

6SigmaDC

Future Facilities

AutoCAD

MS Visio

SketchUp

Nlyte DCIM

Job description

Requirements

• Currently possess or be able to obtain VA Public Trust — High Risk (BI High) / Tier 4 background investigation.
• Bachelor's degree, preferably in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field; 8+years of CFD / thermal modeling experience, including data center environments.
• Education substitutions (per Peraton Career & Compensation Framework): Master's degree substitutes ~2 years of required experience; Ph.D. substitutes ~5 years of required experience. In lieu of a Bachelor's degree, 4 additional years of relevant experience is acceptable (Associate's degree + 2 additional years also accepted for equivalent professional levels).
• Hands-on expertise with TileFlow or an equivalent data center CFD package.

Desired Skills, Tools & Certifications

• Tools: Innovative Research TileFlow (primary CFD), 6SigmaDC / Future Facilities (alternate), AutoCAD, MS Visio, SketchUp, and DCIM sensor data (Nlyte).
• Processes: ITIL v4 service management, SAFe Agile / Scrum for iterative delivery, NIST 800-53 / RMF, ISO 27001, TIA-942, ASHRAE TC 9.9, VA CRISP alignment, NFPA 70/70E, and OSHA safety practices.; ASHRAE TC 9.9 datacom envelopes; Green Grid PUE methodology.
• Certifications (desirable): PE (Mechanical), EPI CDCP/CDCS, ASHRAE Datacom certificate, LEED AP.

Work location: Austin, TX

Peraton supports the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) mission to deliver timely, reliable care and benefits to America's Veterans by engineering, operating, and modernizing a nationwide data center portfolio. Our team runs enterprise and regional data centers, telecommunications spaces, and secure network connections that host the systems Veterans depend on — from claims processing and pharmacy fulfillment to appointment scheduling and benefits delivery. We provide full-lifecycle data center and cloud engineering, 24×7×365 operations and monitoring, DCIM platform administration, analytics, and facility infrastructure reporting. If you want your engineering, operations, or analytics work to matter to someone, this is where it does.

Position Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and thermal modeling studies to characterize airflow, cooling performance, capacity, and energy efficiency across the data center portfolio.
• Deliver CFD simulation reports and design recommendations for containment, tile layout, aisle configuration, and cooling infrastructure improvements.
• Calibrate models against DCIM sensor and BMS telemetry; validate accuracy against real-world conditions.
• Mentor mid-level CFD engineers; establish modeling standards and quality gates for the team.
• Partner with critical facilities and mechanical engineers to translate simulation findings into implementable interventions.

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