Computational Aeroelasticity Developer

About this role

At Cadence, we hire and develop leaders and innovators who want to make an impact on the world of technology. Computational Aeroelasticity Software Developer (Early Career) 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.

The successful candidate will work with senior MSC Nastran developers to develop, validate, and commercialize advanced simulation methods used by aerospace, defense, and space organizations worldwide.

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

General US person status satisfying U.S. export control requirements as defined by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR)

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

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