Principal CFD Modeling Engineer

Job Overview

Jensen Hughes is seeking a Principal CFD Modeling Engineer to serve as a senior technical leader in advanced fire and thermal-fluid modeling. This role is designed for an expert practitioner with deep mastery of the Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) who is motivated by solving complex, real-world fire and fluid-flow problems through rigorous, physics-based modeling and experimental validation.

In this role, you will operate at the intersection of advanced computation, fire testing, and applied research
, influencing both project outcomes and the evolution of company-wide modeling methodologies. You will be trusted to lead technically challenging work, mentor other engineers, and represent Jensen Hughes as a thought leader with clients and the broader fire science community.

• Lead the development, execution, and refinement of high-fidelity CFD models using FDS for fire dynamics, fluid flow, and heat transfer applications
• Partner closely with experimental testing teams to design test programs, select instrumentation, and produce high-quality validation datasets
• Analyze experimental results and integrate findings into model validation and improvement frameworks
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to other engineers, helping shape best practices in CFD modeling and fire science
• Present technical work to clients, industry groups, and at professional conferences
• Author and review technical reports, proposals, and peer-reviewed publications
• Support strategic initiatives related to physics-based modeling, test programs, and methodology development

• Graduate degree in engineering with a focus on thermal-fluid sciences
• 15+ years of professional experience applying CFD tools (including FDS) to fire dynamics, heat transfer, and fluid-flow problems across commercial and applied research projects
  • Directly relevant post-graduate research may count for up to five years of this experience
• Deep working knowledge of the FDS Validation Guide, Technical Reference Guide, and User Guide
• Advanced understanding of topics such as:
  Radiation transport equations, Gas-phase absorption coefficients, Pyrolysis modeling within the FDS framework
• Demonstrated experience using experimental fire test data to validate and refine numerical models
• Knowledge of numerical modeling approaches and their limitations, particularly for large-scale or outdoor fire scenarios
• Proficiency in Python and Fortran or similar scientific programming languages
• Strong analytical, documentation, and communication skills, including the ability to clearly explain complex modeling results to technical and non-technical audiences
• Ability to work independently while also thriving in a collaborative, multidisciplinary technical environment
• U.S. Citizen required.

Jensen Hughes is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.