[Nyx Earth] Propulsion CFD Engineer

About the role

Join us in developing Nyx, our reusable orbital vehicle for cargo and future human spaceflight. You will conduct computational fluid dynamics analysis for propulsion systems and thruster plumes. Your insights will inform component design, thruster performance, and overall vehicle integration. You will own the execution of high-fidelity simulations that de-risk propulsion hardware before metal is cut. You will act as the numerical domain expert, translating complex gas dynamics into actionable engineering decisions for the team. You will ensure that our design decisions are grounded in rigorous analysis and validated physical behavior. You will contribute directly to the technical narrative of the vehicle, from component margins to system-level performance. You will help define the state of the art for in-house CFD capabilities in the challenging domain of space propulsion.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Execute high-resolution CFD simulations on propulsion components like valves and injectors to resolve intricate internal flow and pressure distributions.
• Drive design choices by predicting component performance across a wide spectrum of operating conditions and boundary scenarios.
• Diagnose and help resolve complex flow issues such as cavitation, choked flow, and separation that impact component function and stability.
• Model thruster plume behavior comprehensively, capturing phenomena from the near-field boundary layer to the far-field expansion, including full gas dynamics.
• Quantify and evaluate how plumes affect adjacent subsystems concerning thermal loads, potential contamination, and structural loading forces.
• Assist in thruster and nozzle design by forecasting critical performance metrics like thrust coefficient, efficiency, and uniformity with high confidence.
• Partner closely with propulsion, structural, and thermal engineers to integrate CFD findings seamlessly into multidisciplinary design processes.
• Translate intricate CFD results into clear, compelling narratives for diverse teams and project stakeholders, ensuring alignment and understanding.
• Influence system-level decisions on component sizing, arrangement, and thruster placement through detailed numerical insights and trade studies.
• Validate sophisticated CFD models against rigorous test data from cold-flow experiments and hot-fire test campaigns to ensure accuracy.
• Champion the improvement of CFD simulation processes, meshing strategies, and associated tools to drive efficiency, robustness, and consistency.
• Author detailed technical reports and documentation that meet the standards required for design reviews, verification, and certification activities.
• Lead the development of internal best practices and methodologies for computational fluid dynamics in the context of orbital vehicle propulsion.
• Apply advanced numerical techniques to assess component durability and performance under the demanding thermal and pressure environments of spaceflight.
• Contribute to the creation of analysis frameworks that enable rapid assessment of new concepts and design iterations.

Requirements

• Hold a Master's degree or PhD in aerospace engineering or a closely related technical field with a strong focus on fluid dynamics.
• Demonstrate at least 3 years of practical, hands-on CFD experience specifically within the domains of propulsion systems or complex fluid dynamics.
• Exhibit proven skill in utilizing industry-standard CFD software such as ANSYS Fluent, STAR-CCM+, or OpenFOAM for demanding simulations.
• Possess substantial experience modeling compressible flow, multiphase interactions, or rarefied gas flows as they apply to propulsion components and nozzles.
• Show a strong, intuitive understanding of fundamental fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and gas dynamics principles governing high-speed flows.
• Have a documented history of successfully correlating CFD predictions with physical experimental data to validate models and assumptions.
• Communicate fluently in English, both in written documentation and verbal collaboration with international team members.
• Bring a meticulous and analytical mindset to problem-solving, with the discipline to manage complex simulation workflows and deadlines.
• Be capable of working independently and as part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary engineering team in a fast-paced environment.
• Maintain a commitment to safety and quality, recognizing that simulation outputs can directly impact hardware development and mission success.
• Be willing to engage with cutting-edge numerical methods and evolving toolchains to address unresolved challenges in space propulsion.
• Have the legal right to work in France or the ability to obtain necessary work authorization, with support available for the process.
• Be prepared to undergo a comprehensive background check as a condition of employment, conducted by Zinc Work Limited.

Nice to have

• Familiarity with advanced plume characterization methods such as DSMC or continuum-rarefied coupling techniques.
• Experience with scripting or automation using Python or MATLAB to streamline meshing procedures and post-processing workflows.
• Proficiency in German or French languages to facilitate smoother integration with local teams and stakeholders in Europe.

Skills & tools

• ANSYS Fluent
• STAR-CCM+
• OpenFOAM
• Python
• MATLAB

Practical notes

Relocation assistance and visa sponsorship are available. All job offers are contingent on a successful background check conducted by Zinc Work Limited.