CFD Engineer

Role Overview

We are seeking a skilled CFD Analyst with experience in multi-component, multi-phase flow and/or combustion simulations, particularly within the aerospace or propulsion sectors. As an individual contributor, you will execute and refine CFD analyses that directly support the design, optimization, and validation of our propulsion systems, gradually expanding into engineering-level methodology. Your work will span engine and component-level analyses for cryogenic systems, with opportunities to contribute to broader technical challenges as you develop expertise and demonstrate strong judgment. We seek someone who is a quick learner with the tenacity to take on challenging tasks and execute them with growing independence.

Key Responsibilities

• Your primary focus will be on engine and component-level analyses, with some exposure to vehicle-level systems as required. Day-to-day tasks and responsibilities include:
• Execute CFD simulations for cryogenic rocket engines and high-pressure components, following established methodologies and developing methodologies of your own, ensuring physical accuracy and computational efficiency.
• Analyse assigned problem statements and execute appropriate simulation strategies.
• Extract meaningful technical insights from simulations and communicate findings clearly to engineering and design teams.
• Document simulation approaches, setup procedures, and results for knowledge sharing and case reproducibility.
• Contribute to the development and validation of low-order thermodynamic, aeroacoustic, or thermoacoustic models, grounding them in experimental data and high-fidelity simulations.
• Collaborate with experimental teams to ensure simulations align with test campaigns and support design iterations and optimization cycles

Key Technical Area

You can expect to work on various problems related to:

• High-pressure injector design and mixing analysis
• Multi-phase combustion in rocket engine environments
• Conjugate heat transfer in engine components
• Thermoacoustic instability and combustion dynamics
• Turbomachinery design and analysis
• Unsteady flow phenomena (vortex shedding, shock oscillations, separated flows)
• Low-speed and confined internal flows
• As we expand our capabilities, we plan to integrate cloud HPC resources to support increasingly complex analyses. You can also expect to contribute to:
• Automation of CFD workflows, mesh generation, and post-processing
• Cloud HPC integration and optimization of computational resources.

Desired Skills and Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field with 1-2 years of applied CFD experience, OR Bachelor's degree with 4+ years of experience
• Demonstrated expertise in CFD within aerospace, propulsion, or related industries
• Proficiency with one or more commercial CFD tools: Ansys Fluent, CFX, Siemens StarCCM+, or equivalent
• Exposure to OpenFOAM, SU2, or other open-source CFD tools
• Strong foundational knowledge of fluid mechanics and thermodynamics
• Hands-on experience in one or more of the following areas:
  • Conjugate heat transfer
  • Reactive and non-reactive multiphase flows
  • Combustion
  • Aero/Thermoacoustics
• Deep understanding of turbulence modeling strategies and their applications
• Hands-on experience with unsteady (transient) CFD simulations and time-accurate analysis
• Knowledge of Python, MATLAB, or equivalent scripting for automation and post-processing
• Ability to execute technical work independently with structured feedback
• Excellent technical communication: ability to document methods clearly and present findings to cross-functional teams

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with OpenFOAM or other open-source CFD frameworks (increasingly important for our cloud HPC scaling strategy)
• Experience with high-performance computing (HPC) environments and parallel computing optimization
• Demonstrated experience developing low-order analytical or semi-empirical models (thermoacoustic, aeroacoustic, or thermodynamic)
• Familiarity with mesh generation tools (Salome, Gmsh) and meshing strategy design
• Experience in experimental correlation and validation of CFD predictions
• Background in rocket propulsion, cryogenic systems, or advanced combustion physics

Why Work with Us?

At Astrobase, we believe in the power of human ingenuity and collaboration to push the boundaries of space exploration. As a team member, you’ll be:

• Creating History: Join us in developing cutting-edge launch vehicles, playing a pivotal role in transforming space access and shaping the future of space exploration.
• Collaborating with Experts: Work alongside ISRO scientists and industry veterans with decades of experience in designing India’s iconic space missions like Chandrayaan 3
• Growth Opportunities: As Astrobase scales, you’ll have the chance to take on leadership roles and be part of an expanding organization driving change in the Indian space sector.
• Pioneering Space Technology: Your contributions will not only impact Astrobase but also influence the global space ecosystem. Be part of something larger than yourself.