Analytical Mechanics Associates, Inc., (AMA) is looking to hire an Early Career Aerothermodynamicist to work at the NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, CA. 

Analytical Mechanics Associates, Inc., (AMA) is proud of our customer relationships, our diverse and dynamic work environment, and our employees' career satisfaction. AMA is a small business specializing in aerospace engineering, business analytics, information technology, and visualization solutions. AMA combines the best of engineering and mathematics capabilities with the latest in information technologies and visualization to build creative solutions. Headquartered in Hampton, VA, AMA has operations in Huntsville, AL; Dallas and Houston, TX; Denver, CO; Santa Clara and Mountain View, CA; and Edwards Air Force Base, CA. We offer a competitive salary and attractive benefits package, including paid personal leave and holidays, salary deferrals into a 401(k)-matching plan with immediate vesting, tuition reimbursement, short/long term disability plans, medical, dental, and vision insurance. Our website (ama-inc.com) describes our corporate values and how they apply to the professional success and growth of our employees.

Job Description:

AMA is currently accepting applications for an early career research position at NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, CA for an engineer with demonstrated experience in computational fluid dynamics and material response simulation in support of NASA entry systems.  This position is within the Aerothermodynamics Branch, part of the Entry Systems and Technology Division, supporting the ESTRAD contract which pursues the research and development of advanced planetary entry systems and entry systems technology, and provides critical analysis capabilities in support of all NASA planetary exploration missions

Responsibilities:

• Formulate and implement a two-way-coupled Eulerian-Lagrangian particle tracking method. The particle paths, temperatures, and sizes will be integrated according to local momentum and energy transfer provided by CFD. Develop a boundary condition for the generation of spalled particles based on local surface material response conditions.
• Perform numerical simulations of dusty flows wind tunnel experiments and perform comparisons to data collected by partner institutions.
• Perform material response simulations to obtain erosion data based on inputs from CFD simulation. Implement and test coupling between material response and CFD codes as required.
• Perform literature search and develop relationships with other researchers in the field of dusty flow modeling to bring new experimental data and new computational techniques into the AMA/NASA effort.
• Be proficient in, or at least be willing to learn, multiple programming languages including (but not necessarily limited to) Fortran, Java, C++, and python.
• Interpret simulation results and communicate them effectively to stakeholders. Provide recommendations as required to inform test design.
• Daily application of strong written and oral communication skills in support of one or multiple NASA projects and the Aerothermodynamics Branch.

Requirements:

• PhD or equivalent in relevant engineering or science discipline.
• Self-motivated with strong interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated technical competence with modern computational fluid dynamics solvers.
• Ability to work both independently and as a team member within a project environment.
• Experience with computational fluid dynamics and/or material response simulations and solving multi-physics problems.

Desired Qualifications:

• Knowledgeable about fundamental numerical methods as well as cutting edge research.
• Programming: Fortran, Java, C, C++, Python.
• Experience with NASA software such as US3D, Icarus, or similar.
• Demonstrated understanding of the basic physics of high-temperature, thermochemical non-equilibrium flows and associated material behavior, particularly as pertains to planetary entry.
• Experience with commercial grid generation software (Pointwise, Gridgen, GridPro, etc.) and data visualization software (Tecplot, ParaView, FieldView, etc.).
• Understanding of basic principles of aerodynamics, thermal protection material response, heat transfer, and multi-phase phenomenon.

This position is open to any applicant with ability to work in the US.

AMA is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any applicant for employment or employee because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited under Federal, State, or local laws.