Senior Mechanical Engineer - Remote Fluid Dynamics Specialist

Placements24; Bloemfontein; Hybrid; ZAR 1,976,000 - 2,964,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work benefits

Private health insurance

Generous paid time off

Retirement plan

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Mechanical Engineer with a strong CFD background to join a globally distributed, fully remote team. You will contribute to cutting-edge CFD modeling and HPC workflows, collaborating with international engineers to enhance performance, efficiency, and reliability.

The ideal candidate has 7+ years of CFD design/analysis experience, with proficiency in ANSYS Fluent, STAR-CCM+, OpenFOAM, and Python scripting.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in ME/AE with Fluid Dynamics.
• 7+ years of CFD design/analysis experience.
• Proficiency with ANSYS Fluent, STAR-CCM+, OpenFOAM.
• Experience with HPC and data-driven CFD workflows.

Responsibilities

• Lead advanced CFD simulations for complex systems.
• Develop and validate CFD models relevant to real phenomena.
• Analyze results to identify improvements and optimizations.
• Collaborate with remote cross-functional teams to apply insights.
• Prepare technical reports documenting methodologies and findings.
• Mentor junior engineers in CFD best practices.

Skills

CFD expertise

Remote collaboration

Python scripting

Analytical thinking

Education

Master's or PhD in Mechanical/Aerospace with Fluid Dynamics

Tools

ANSYS Fluent

STAR-CCM+

OpenFOAM

Job description

About the Role: Our client is actively seeking a highly specialized Senior Mechanical Engineer with expertise in Fluid Dynamics to join their globally distributed engineering team. This is a fully remote position, offering the flexibility to work from anywhere. You will be a key contributor to cutting-edge research and development projects, focusing on the complex fluid flow phenomena within novel mechanical systems. Your role will involve advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling, simulation, and analysis to optimize designs for performance, efficiency, and reliability. This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced engineer who thrives on tackling challenging problems and possesses a deep understanding of fluid mechanics principles. You will collaborate with international teams of engineers and scientists, driving innovation in areas such as aerospace, energy, and advanced manufacturing. We are looking for a self-motivated individual who can work independently, manage their time effectively, and deliver high-quality results in a remote setting. Your expertise will directly impact the development of groundbreaking technologies.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and execute advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations for complex mechanical systems.
• Develop and validate CFD models, ensuring accuracy and relevance to real-world physical phenomena.
• Analyze simulation results to gain insights into fluid behavior, identify performance bottlenecks, and propose design optimizations.
• Collaborate remotely with cross-functional engineering teams (mechanical, thermal, systems) to integrate fluid dynamic insights into product design.
• Contribute to the selection and application of appropriate CFD software and hardware resources.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in fluid dynamics theory, numerical methods, and CFD technologies.
• Prepare comprehensive technical reports and presentations documenting simulation methodologies, findings, and recommendations.
• Mentor junior engineers and researchers on CFD best practices and analysis techniques.
• Participate in design reviews, providing critical fluid dynamics expertise to guide product development.
• Contribute to the development of internal best practices and guidelines for CFD simulations.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field with a strong focus on Fluid Dynamics.
• Minimum of 7 years of professional experience, with significant expertise in applying CFD for design and analysis.
• Proven track record with industry-standard CFD software packages (e.g., ANSYS Fluent, STAR-CCM+, OpenFOAM).
• Deep understanding of fluid mechanics principles, turbulence modeling, and numerical methods.
• Experience with meshing techniques and validation of CFD results against experimental data or analytical solutions.
• Proficiency in scripting languages (e.g., Python) for automation and data analysis is highly desirable.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, essential for effective remote collaboration.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage time effectively, and meet project deadlines in a remote environment.
• Experience with High-Performance Computing (HPC) environments is a plus.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary, commensurate with experience, and a comprehensive remote benefits package including private health insurance, generous paid time off, and a retirement savings plan.
• We provide opportunities for continuous professional development, including access to online courses, workshops, and conferences.
• The company fosters a flexible and results-oriented remote work culture, valuing innovation and autonomy.
• This role offers the unique advantage of working from anywhere while contributing to groundbreaking technological advancements.