About the Role:
We are looking for a highly capable CFD Engineer to join our advanced simulation team, working within a fast-paced, commercially successful civil helicopter programme. This role sits within a leading UK-based helicopter and gas turbine OEM, supporting the aerodynamic and thermal optimisation of airframe and propulsion systems .
You will apply CFD tools—particularly ANSYS CFX and ANSYS Fluent —to influence design decisions for gas turbine components, as well as helicopter aerofoils, wings, rotors, and associated systems. The role involves working in a high-performance computing (HPC) environment, contributing across early design, validation, and optimisation phases.
Key Responsibilities:
* Perform CFD simulations using ANSYS CFX and Fluent to support the aerodynamic and thermal design of:
o Gas turbine components (e.g. compressors, turbines, combustors, ducts).
o External aerodynamics (e.g. rotor-fuselage interaction, intakes, exhausts).
o 2D aerofoils, 3D wings, and full rotor systems in hover and forward flight conditions.
o Cooling and environmental control systems.
* Generate high-quality structured and unstructured meshes for complex geometries using ANSYS Meshing, ICEM CFD, or equivalent tools.
* Run large-scale simulations on HPC clusters, manage parallel jobs efficiently, and optimise compute resources.
* Post-process simulation results using CFD-Post, Tecplot, ParaView, or custom scripting tools.
* Collaborate with aerodynamicists, propulsion engineers, mechanical designers, and flight test teams to feed CFD insights into system development and validation.
* Support design reviews, trade studies, and correlation with test data.
* Contribute to automation of CFD workflows and development of internal CFD capability.
Requirements:
Essential:
* Degree in Aerospace, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field with strong fluid dynamics and thermodynamics content.
* Hands-on experience with ANSYS CFX and/or ANSYS Fluent for both internal and external flow simulations.
* Proficiency with HPC job management, batch scripting, and parallel computing environments.
* Strong mesh generation skills for 2D and 3D geometries.
* Practical experience interpreting CFD results and communicating design recommendations.
* Scripting knowledge (e.g. Python, MATLAB) for workflow automation and post-processing.
Desirable:
* Demonstrated experience with 2D aerofoil analysis and 3D wing/rotor CFD simulations.
* Understanding of unsteady aerodynamics and rotor wake modelling in a rotorcraft context.
* Experience with helicopter or turboshaft engine programmes.
* Exposure to combustion, thermal systems, or secondary air systems.
* Familiarity with design of experiments (DOE), optimisation, or surrogate modelling.
What We Offer:
* A central role in a thriving civil rotorcraft development programme.
* Opportunities to influence the design of next-generation helicopters and gas turbines.
* Access to cutting-edge CFD tools and dedicated HPC infrastructure.
* A supportive, innovative engineering culture with strong career development pathways.
* Competitive salary and benefits
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