Penn State University

Division Head - Computational Fluid Dynamics (FACULTY)

Penn State University$120K — $150K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Master's degree or higher in an Engineering or Science discipline plus ten years of related experience
  • Proven track record as a Principal Investigator in computational fluid dynamics
  • Strong research background in hydromechanics, hydroacoustics, maneuvering and controls, or propulsion systems
  • Experience in managing teams with supervisory experience
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including writing white papers or reports
  • Current eligibility for access to Top Secret classified information, subject to government background investigation

Responsibilities

  • Lead design and performance analyses using in-house and commercial CFD tools for applications like undersea vehicles and propulsion
  • Drive technical advancements and improvements in computational fluid dynamics, including code development and V&V
  • Oversee complex simulations to ensure high-quality research output
  • Manage personnel, including recruitment, development, and retention within the CFD Division
  • Collaborate with management and other ARL offices to build research portfolios and enhance technical capabilities

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
  • Robust retirement plans
  • Generous 75% tuition discount for employees and eligible family members
  • Options for flexible work arrangements based on project needs
  • Support for professional wellbeing through a competitive benefits package
Full Job Description
POSITION SPECIFICS

We are searching for a Division Head for the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Division in the Fluid Dynamics and Acoustics Office (FDAO) at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. The CFD Division Head will lead a premier group of approximately fifteen of engineers and research faculty in meeting the mission of bringing state-of-the-technology tools, talent and leading-edge computational fluid dynamics to our DoD and industrial sponsors. The Division Head, along with immediate reports, will develop and mature business relationships and programs with other ARL offices, industry, and government sponsors. This critical role requires a blend of technical mastery in fluid dynamics, technical management, and personnel management in a mission-focused environment. This position may be filled as either a Research and Development Engineer or a non-tenure Research Faculty.

ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.

You will:
  • Lead and perform design and performance support analyses, using in-house and commercial CFD tools, for a broad range of applications, including undersea vehicles and propulsion, coupled hydrodynamics/hydroacoustics, low-speed and high-speed aerodynamics, and complex multi-physics systems
  • Lead technical developments and improvements in field of Computational Fluid Dynamics including but limited to code development, V&V, and applications in new and evolving tools and methodologies to solve complex flows. Projects may include but not limited to cavitation and multiphase flows, vehicle maneuvering, turbomachinery, fluid-structure/fluid-acoustic interactions, drag reduction, signatures, and code optimization for modern HPC systems
  • Provide technical oversight of complex simulations and interface across the organization to ensure high quality research output
  • Perform organizational leadership to the CFD Division, to include personnel management, recruitment, development, and retention of employees


Additional responsibilities for higher-level position includes:
  • Work with FDAO management team and other ARL offices to build the research portfolio, improve technical capabilities, and enhance cross discipline cooperation and collaboration


Non-tenure faculty rank will be commensurate with education level and experience.

Required Skills/Experience areas include:
  • Master's degree or higher in an Engineering or Science discipline or higher plus ten years of related experience
  • Past success as a Principal Investigator in this field
  • Strong research track record of computational fluid dynamics with a focus in hydromechanics, hydroacoustics, maneuvering and controls, propulsion systems or related discipline
  • Previous success managing people with supervisory experience
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills with past success in writing white papers or reports
  • Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Top Secret level or higher and may be subject to a government background investigation to upgrade clearance eligibility


Preferred Skills/Experience areas include:
  • Successful history of proposed and awarded research projects evidenced through securing external research funding
  • Demonstrated leadership of multi-discipline research projects
  • Expert-level knowledge of high-performance computing architectures and information systems
  • Experience with STAR-CCM+


Fully on-site located in State College, PA but, options exist for hybrid of on-site/work from home based on project-dependent ability. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process. This role requires periodic travel to remote locations.

BENEFITS
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional wellbeing. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.)

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