Senior Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Engineer

Placements24; South Africa; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,700,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work option

Competitive salary + bonus

Health, dental, vision insurance

Retirement plan

Generous PTO & holidays

Professional growth & conferences

Access to advanced CFD software & HPC

Job summary

WhatJobs Direct is seeking a Senior CFD Engineer based in Polokwane, Limpopo, with the option for remote work. You will lead complex CFD simulations across aerodynamics, heat transfer, and combustion, and collaborate with R&D and design teams to drive product performance improvements.

The ideal candidate holds a Master’s or PhD in mechanical or aerospace engineering with CFD specialization and 7+ years of hands-on experience, using Fluent, STAR-CCM+, or COMSOL.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering with CFD specialization.
• 7+ years of hands-on CFD simulations using commercial packages.
• Proficiency in scripting (Python, TCL) for automation.

Responsibilities

• Perform complex CFD simulations for aerodynamic, thermal, multiphase, and combustion applications.
• Develop and validate CFD models including meshing, BCs and solver settings.
• Analyze results to provide actionable design recommendations.
• Collaborate with mechanical engineers, R&D scientists and designers.
• Maintain CFD workflows and ensure accuracy and efficiency.
• Mentor junior engineers and document setups and results.
• Present findings to technical teams and management.
• Contribute to new simulation capabilities and HPC usage.

Skills

CFD expertise

Python/TCL scripting

HPC experience

Analytical problem solving

Technical writing

Remote collaboration

Education

Master's or PhD in Mechanical/Aerospace with CFD

Tools

ANSYS Fluent

STAR-CCM+

COMSOL Multiphysics

ANSYS Meshing

Pointwise

Job description

About the Role

Our client, WhatJobs Direct, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Engineer to join their innovative product development team. This role is based in **Polokwane, Limpopo, ZA**, with the flexibility of a remote work arrangement. You will be instrumental in leveraging advanced simulation techniques to analyze and optimize fluid flow, heat transfer, and combustion phenomena across a range of challenging applications. This position demands a profound understanding of fluid mechanics, numerical methods, and CFD software tools. You will work closely with design and R&D teams to solve complex engineering problems, drive product performance improvements, and accelerate innovation. The ideal candidate possesses a strong analytical mindset, exceptional problem-solving skills, and a passion for pushing the boundaries of simulation technology. Join a forward-thinking company dedicated to harnessing the power of CFD to create cutting-edge solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform complex CFD simulations for various applications, including aerodynamics, thermal management, multiphase flow, and combustion.
• Develop and validate CFD models, including meshing strategies, boundary conditions, and solver settings.
• Analyze simulation results to provide actionable insights and recommendations for design improvements.
• Collaborate with mechanical engineers, R&D scientists, and product designers to address complex engineering challenges.
• Develop and maintain simulation workflows and best practices to ensure accuracy and efficiency.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in CFD software, hardware, and numerical methodologies.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance on CFD analysis and best practices.
• Document simulation setups, results, and technical reports thoroughly.
• Present findings and recommendations to technical teams and management.
• Contribute to the development and validation of new simulation capabilities.

Requirements

• Master's or PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field with a specialization in CFD.
• A minimum of 7 years of hands-on experience in performing complex CFD simulations.
• Expertise in commercial CFD software packages such as ANSYS Fluent, STAR-CCM+, COMSOL Multiphysics, or similar.
• Strong understanding of fluid mechanics, turbulence modeling, heat transfer, and numerical methods.
• Proficiency in pre-processing tools for meshing (e.g., ANSYS Meshing, Pointwise) and post-processing visualization tools.
• Experience with scripting languages (e.g., Python, TCL) for automation is highly desirable.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong technical writing and presentation abilities.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a remote, collaborative team.
• Familiarity with high-performance computing (HPC) environments.

Benefits

• Remote work option providing flexibility and work-life balance.
• Competitive salary and bonus structure.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement savings plan.
• Generous paid time off and holidays.
• Opportunities for professional growth, training, and conference attendance.
• Access to advanced CFD software and computing resources.
• Collaborative and innovative team environment.
• Exposure to cutting-edge research and development projects.
• Support for home office setup.
• Career advancement within a leading engineering firm.