Computational Aeroelasticity Developer

Computational Aeroelasticity Software Developer

Position Overview

Cadence Design Systems is seeking a highly motivated Computational Aeroelasticity Software Developer to contribute to the development of next-generation aeroelastic and aerothermoelastic simulation technologies spanning subsonic through hypersonic flight applications. This role is ideal for a recent Ph.D. graduate, postdoctoral researcher, or early-career engineer with research experience in computational aeroelasticity, multidisciplinary simulation, scientific computing, or related fields.

Key Responsibilities

Computational Aeroelasticity & Aerothermoelasticity Development

Contribute to the development, verification, validation, and deployment of advanced aeroelastic simulation capabilities, including:

Low-Fidelity Methods

• Panel methods, Doublet Lattice Method (DLM), and Vortex Lattice Method (VLM)
• Generalized aerodynamic force generation
• Linearized and frequency-domain aerodynamic modeling

Medium-Fidelity Methods

• Hybrid CFD-panel methodologies
• Reduced-order and surrogate modeling
• Transonic correction techniques
• Time-domain aeroelastic formulations
• Flexible vehicle dynamic simulation methods

High-Fidelity Methods

• CFD-based aeroelasticity using Euler and Navier-Stokes solvers
• Fluid-structure interaction (FSI) and CFD-CSD coupling
• Nonlinear aeroelasticity and aerothermoelasticity
• High-speed and hypersonic aeroelastic analysis

Support the development of solutions for:

• Static and dynamic aeroelasticity
• Flutter prediction
• Divergence and control reversal
• Gust response and aeroservoelasticity
• Buffet response and limit-cycle oscillations
• Nonlinear aeroelastic behavior

Work with senior technical staff to transition advanced research concepts into production-quality commercial software.

Hypersonic & High-Speed Flight Simulation

Contribute to the development of simulation technologies for high-speed and hypersonic vehicle applications, including:

• Hypersonic aerodynamics and aerothermodynamics
• Shock-wave/boundary-layer interactions
• Thermal-structural coupling and aerothermoelasticity
• High-temperature flight environments
• Flight stability and control at high Mach numbers

Participate in the implementation and validation of numerical methods such as:

• Piston theory
• Supersonic and hypersonic aerodynamic methods
• Shock-expansion techniques
• Reduced-order models
• CFD-based aeroelastic methodologies

Prior research experience in one or more of these areas is highly desirable.

Multidisciplinary Simulation & Structural Dynamics

Collaborate with structural dynamics, CFD, and multiphysics development teams to build integrated simulation workflows.

Contribute to:

• Modal analysis and structural dynamics
• Dynamic response analysis
• Eigenvalue extraction methods
• Coupled aerodynamic-structural simulations
• Thermal stress and buckling analyses
• Large-scale finite element modeling

Support applications involving:

• Commercial and military aircraft
• Rotorcraft and UAVs
• Hypersonic vehicles
• Space and launch systems
• Advanced aerospace and defense platforms

Scientific Software Development

Develop robust and scalable commercial software capabilities, including:

• Numerical algorithms and solver development
• Scientific software architecture
• APIs and workflow automation
• Multiphysics integration frameworks
• Verification and validation methodologies
• Automated testing and continuous integration practices

Participate in the full software development lifecycle from research prototype to commercial product deployment.

High-Performance Computing

Contribute to the development and optimization of scalable simulation technologies using:

• Parallel computing concepts
• MPI, OpenMP, GPU, or accelerator technologies
• Cloud and distributed computing environments

Optimize algorithms for large-scale engineering simulations and advanced aerospace workflows. Prior experience is beneficial but not required.

Customer & Industry Engagement

Work with technical experts, product teams, and customers to:

• Understand aerospace simulation requirements
• Support technical demonstrations

Required Qualifications

Education

• Ph.D. with outstanding research experience in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Applied Mechanics, Computational Engineering, or a related field.
• Research specialization in computational aeroelasticity, aerodynamics, CFD, structural dynamics, or multidisciplinary simulation.

Experience

• 0–5 years of industrial experience, or equivalent graduate/postdoctoral research experience.
• Demonstrated research experience in aeroelasticity spanning low to high speed flight regimes.
• Experience developing research software, computational tools, or numerical simulation capabilities.
• Ability to translate research concepts into practical engineering solutions.
• Record of technical publications, research projects, or thesis work in relevant areas.

Technical Skills

Aerodynamics

• Knowledge of potential flow methods, panel methods, DLM, or VLM
• Understanding of subsonic, transonic, supersonic, or hypersonic aerodynamics
• Familiarity with CFD fundamentals and numerical methods

Aeroelasticity

• Coursework or research in flutter, dynamic aeroelasticity, gust response, or aeroservoelasticity
• Familiarity with aeroelastic modeling and reduced-order methods
• Exposure to aerothermoelasticity or high-speed aeroelasticity is a plus

Structural Dynamics & FEA

• Modal analysis and structural dynamics fundamentals
• Finite element methods and numerical analysis
• Dynamic response and eigenvalue analysis

Software Development

• Programming experience in C++ and Python.
• Experience developing scientific or engineering software leveraging AI
• Experience in software engineering best practices

High-Performance Computing

• Familiarity with parallel computing concepts
• Exposure to MPI, OpenMP, CUDA, GPU computing is desirable

Professional Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Passion for computational engineering and simulation technology
• Ability to learn new technical domains quickly
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams
• Customer-focused mindset with strong collaboration skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. research focused on computational aeroelasticity, aerothermoelasticity, CFD, structural dynamics, or hypersonics
• Publications in recognized aerospace journals or conferences
• Experience with commercial or research simulation tools such as MSC Nastran, Abaqus, ZAERO, FUN3D, SU2, SCFLOW, Fidelity, CHARLES, Fluent, STAR-CCM+, CFD++, or equivalent
• Experience with multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO)
• Exposure to machine learning, AI, or reduced-order modeling techniques
• Experience with HPC environments and large-scale simulations
• Participation in collaborative research programs with aerospace organizations, government laboratories, or universities