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Job Title:

Computational Fluid Dynamicist

Related Job Title:

aerospace engineer, aeronautical engineer, fluid mechanics engineer

Job Description:

Computational Fluid Dynamicists mainly perform research-related tasks. They are given complex airflow problems and asked how the airflow around a particular object can be changed so as to increase the aircraft's aerodynamic performance. The research is performed in an office building or aeronautical or high-computing lab facility using sophisticated computer workstations and computer visualization tools. Dynamicists design test procedures and coordinate with computer software engineers to develop software programs that measure the fluid flow around an aircraft or a part of an aircraft. The dynamicist runs the test using the software, then examines the results and writes a report that identifies how the design is flawed and how it should be modified to maximize its flight potential. When models are tested they are "flown in a computer" using sophisticated computational fluid dynamics visualization software. These researchers spend a lot of time looking up and reading over documents with aeronautical information. They work with complex equations, use computers to run simulations and discuss their research with colleagues.

Areas of Expertise:

• Aerodynamics
• Aeronautics
• Computational Fluid Dynamics
• Aircraft structure and function
• Aircraft propulsion systems
• Aircraft propulsion systems
• Fluid mechanics

Interests and Abilities:

• Find it enjoyable to work out complex mathematical formulae.
• Fascinated by how air flows around things like buildings, cars and airplanes.
• Using mathematical equations to express a scientific idea is done easily and readily understood.
• Solving problems using a computer is an interesting challenge.
• I can take in a lot of complex information and process through it quickly to solve problems
• Paying attention to every little detail is something I don't mind doing.

Suggested Topics to Study in School:

• Physics
• Aeronautics
• Chemistry
• Database software programs
• Mathematics: geometry, trigonometry, calculus
• English composition

Education and Training Needed:

• Minimum Bachelor's college degree in aeronautics, aeronautical engineering, aerospace engineering, fluid dynamics, thermal dynamics, computer science
• To perform research, Master's level to Ph.D. in aeronautics, aeronautical engineering, aerospace engineering, fluid mechanics

You might want to further explore this career by checking out the resources given below:

• Read the magazine Aviation Week and Space Technology to get a better understanding of the aerospace industry.
• Check out the NASA aerospace research Web sites (Langley Research Center, Ames Research Center or Glenn Research Center) to learn more about aerospace research.
• American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Web site
• Junior Engineering Technical Society Web site

What can I do right now?

• Visit an aviation museum and take in the different types of aircraft.
• Start designing your own paper airplane models to see which ones fly the farthest, the highest, or perform the greatest number of loops, etc.
• Design and build your own long range balsa wood gliders.
• Learn to fly model aircraft.
• Check out the Web site Foil Sim at the Glenn Research Center Web site and learn about aeronautics.
• Design and construct your own homemade wind tunnel, then design and run your own airflow tests.
• Join an organization like Civil Air Patrol (CAP) and participate in their activities.
• Participate in a NASA Quest Web cast or chat, and pose questions to the aeronautical researchers featured there.

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