Job Title: CFD Analyst
Job Description
The CFD Analyst will perform high-fidelity 3D computational fluid dynamics simulations for transmission and driveline components, with a focus on lubrication, oil distribution, churning losses, and thermal management. This role involves owning the complete CFD workflow from CAD preparation and meshing through physics setup, high-performance computing (HPC) solving, and post-processing. The analyst will apply advanced numerical methods in fluid dynamics, turbulence modeling, multiphase flows, and heat transfer to generate accurate insights that directly guide product design and resolve manufacturing and quality issues.
Responsibilities
- Perform high-fidelity 3D CFD simulations (steady-state and transient) for transmission and driveline components, including gear churning, oil distribution, torque converters, and cooling systems.
- Execute the complete 3D CFD workflow, including CAD clean-up, advanced surface and volume meshing, physics setup, high-performance computing (HPC) solving, and detailed post-processing.
- Apply advanced 3D fluid dynamics, turbulence modeling, and heat transfer physics to accurately capture complex flow and thermal phenomena.
- Model multiphase and free-surface flows, with emphasis on oil–air interactions and churning losses in rotating systems.
- Set up and analyze rotating domain physics using moving mesh, overset mesh, sliding mesh interfaces, and related techniques such as MRF.
- Incorporate conjugate heat transfer (CHT) methods to evaluate coupled fluid and solid thermal behavior in transmission and driveline systems.
- Analyze, visualize, and synthesize complex 3D flow and thermal fields to generate clear, actionable recommendations for design modifications.
- Conduct rigorous 3D model correlation with physical test data to validate simulation methodologies and ensure high accuracy of results.
- Identify root causes of fluid behavior or thermal issues and propose optimized geometric and system-level solutions to design teams.
- Collaborate directly with Design and Release (D&R) Engineers as an individual contributor to support product development and improve performance, durability, and efficiency.
- Follow high-quality 3D mesh generation practices and CAD preparation standards to ensure robust and reliable simulation models.
Essential Skills
- Strong expertise in advanced 3D fluid dynamics, turbulence modeling, and heat transfer physics.
- Hands-on experience with multiphase and free-surface flow modeling, particularly oil–air interactions and churning losses.
- Proficiency in rotating domain physics, including moving mesh, overset mesh, and sliding mesh interfaces.
- In-depth knowledge of transmission and driveline lubrication, oiling systems, and thermal management.
- Ability to perform high-fidelity 3D CFD simulations for steady-state and transient conditions.
- Proficiency in executing a complete 3D CFD workflow: CAD clean-up, surface and volume meshing, physics setup, HPC solving, and post-processing.
- Experience with advanced numerical methods such as Volume of Fluid (VOF) for multiphase flows, Conjugate Heat Transfer (CHT), and moving/rotating mesh techniques including Overset, Sliding mesh, and MRF.
- Strong analytical skills to interpret complex 3D flow and thermal fields and translate them into clear design guidance.
- Capability to correlate simulation models with physical test data and validate simulation approaches.
- Ability to work effectively as an individual contributor while collaborating closely with engineering teams.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience with high-quality 3D mesh generation tools such as ANSA or Hypermesh.
- Experience with CAD preparation tools such as CATIA.
- Experince in automotive or powertrain systems, particularly transmission and driveline components, is beneficial.
- Strong communication skills to present simulation results and recommendations to design and development teams.
- Detail-oriented approach with a focus on simulation accuracy and model robustness.
Work Environment
The role operates in a technical engineering environment focused on product development for transmission and driveline systems. The CFD Analyst will work primarily in an office or lab setting using advanced CAD and CAE software, including tools for 3D mesh generation, CFD pre-processing and post-processing, and high-performance computing (HPC) resources for large simulations. The position involves close collaboration with design and release engineers and other cross-functional stakeholders, with most work performed on computers in a professional, engineering-driven setting.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
At Actalent, Diversity And Inclusion Are a Bridge Towards The Equity And Success Of Our People. DE&I Is Embedded Into Our Culture Through
- Hiring diverse talent
- Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
- Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
- Ensuring growth opportunities for our people
Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we've helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.
Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.
