RESEARCH ENGINEER - SR. RESEARCH ENGINEER - High-speed Air Breathing Propulsion/Aero

Who We Are:

The Propulsion & Energy Machinery Section performs engineering R&D in the fields of gas turbine combustion, air-breathing propulsion, industrial heat and power, and liquid propulsion. Our technologies are powering a cleaner future and advancing state-of-the-art propulsion systems for air and space flight.

Objectives of this Role:

• Support the development, analysis, and testing of systems related to experimental and numerical modeling of supersonic and hypersonic flows, focusing on airbreathing propulsion components.
• Engage in the design and operation of sophisticated test rigs for supersonic and hypersonic experiments, contributing to advanced research in aerodynamics, thermodynamics, and propulsion.
• Apply knowledge in high-speed fluid dynamics, shock wave interactions, boundary layer theory, and combustion processes to optimize designs and enhance performance in propulsion systems.
• Utilize state-of-the-art Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software such as Ansys Fluent, STAR-CCM+, and OpenFOAM to simulate flow conditions and analyze aerothermal loads affecting vehicles and components at high Mach numbers.
• Integrate experimental insights with simulation data to validate models and develop predictive capabilities for propulsion systems operating in extreme environments.

Daily and Monthly Responsibilities:

• Provide cross-disciplinary support to multiple projects within the field of high-speed aerodynamics, focusing on both computational and experimental tasks.
• Conduct design, optimization, and validation of high Mach number flow regimes using both CFD and experimental techniques.
• Contribute to the design and commissioning of supersonic and hypersonic test facilities, including facility upgrades and instrumentation enhancements.
• Assist in the execution of experimental test campaigns, including data acquisition, processing, and analysis to support model validation.
• Be a problem solver that exercises creativity and independent judgement in determining approaches to solve a wide range of technical problems.

Requirements:

• Requires a Bachelors, Masters or a PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related engineering degree. 1 year experience require with MS degree, 0 years experience required with PhD in relevant areas.
• 2-5 years: Experience in high-speed aerodynamics, including both experimental and CFD modeling, particularly regarding supersonic/hypersonic flows. Demonstrated experience in either experimental OR numerical work in supersonics or hypersonics. Experience in both preferred, but not required.
• 2-5 years: Experimental: design, operation, and troubleshooting of supersonic and hypersonic test facilities like continuous, blowdown, shock tubes, Ludweig tubes, arc-jet tunnels, etc. Subsonic wind tunnel experience also considered.
• 2-5 years: Numerical: Proven ability in using CFD software such as Ansys Fluent, STAR-CCM+, or OpenFOAM for high-speed aerodynamic simulation and analysis. Unsteady, reacting flow, multiphase, and fluid-structure interaction experience also considered.
• Experience with combustion processes and the design of subsonic or supersonic combustors is highly desirable but not mandatory. MS or PhD degrees in engineering are preferred, but not required.
• A valid/clear driver's license is required.

Special Requirements:

Applicant selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
Job Locations: San Antonio, Texas

For more information about this division, visit the Mechanical Engineering home page.

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An Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and veteran status.