Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Scientist
Inertia
Livermore, CA, USA
Posted on Jan 7, 2026
Location
Livermore
Employment Type
Full time
Location Type
On-site
Department
Physics
About the Role
We are seeking multiple Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Scientists to develop and apply advanced CFD simulations to understand and predict gas flow dynamics inside our fusion, target, and laser systems. These flows play a critical role in system performance, survivability, and operating conditions.
This role will focus on building and running high-fidelity CFD models—often in extreme, transient, turbulent, and radiation-driven environments—to inform design decisions and operational strategies. You will work closely with physicists, simulation scientists, and design engineers to translate complex flow phenomena into actionable engineering insight for a next-generation fusion power plant.
Key Responsibilities
Develop, run, and interpret CFD simulations of fluid flow across a wide range of operating conditions.
Model and optimize transient and pulsed flow phenomena, thermal and mechanical performance, and associated systems.
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Analyze the impact of chamber gas dynamics on a range of fusion relevant systems, including:
Final optics performance and survivability
Thermal management in high power and in pulsed systems
Target injection trajectories, stability, and survival
Debris transport and chamber clearing
Chamber geometry, gas response, and surface interactions
Build CFD workflows in industry-standard software and research codes, including mesh generation, boundary condition definition, solver configuration, and post-processing pipelines.
Couple CFD results with other physics models (for example radiation transport, thermomechanics, particle transport, optical ray tracing) in collaboration with the broader simulation team.
Run large-scale simulations and contribute to scalable, efficient computational workflows.
Validate CFD models using experimental data, analytic estimates, and cross-code comparisons where available.
Communicate results clearly through reports, visualizations, and design reviews to support engineering decision-making.
Required Qualifications
PhD or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or a related field.
Strong experience developing and running CFD simulations for compressible, transient, turbulent, or high-speed flows.
Proficiency with one or more CFD tools, such as OpenFOAM, ANSYS Fluent/CFX, STAR-CCM+, SU2, or similar.
Hands-on experience running CFD workloads on high performance workstations, cloud computing, or large-scale HPC systems, including parallel solvers and job schedulers.
Strong data analysis and visualization skills.
Desired Qualifications
Experience in fusion energy, high-energy-density physics, plasma physics, aerospace propulsion, or similarly extreme flow environments.
Familiarity with radiation-driven flows, rarefied gas dynamics, or non-equilibrium thermodynamics.
Experience modeling shock waves, unsteady flows, turbulence, multiphase phenomena, forced convection or transition flows.
Experience coupling CFD with other multiphysics models (e.g., radiation transport, particle transport, thermomechanics).
Experience with Structural-Thermal-Optical-Performance (STOP) analysis or predicting the optical performance of laser or imaging systems.
Experience in developing and validating thermo-optical models for the simulation of laser amplifier performance (wavefront, birefringence, etc.)
Experience using open-source CFD tools and contributing to solver or model development.
Experience running simulations in cloud-based HPC environments.
What We Offer
A key role in shaping the physical understanding and design of next-generation fusion devices.
The opportunity to work on complex, transient, and tightly coupled flow problems rarely encountered in conventional CFD applications.
A collaborative, multidisciplinary environment with experts in physics, simulation, and engineering.
Competitive compensation, benefits, and equity package.
Salary & Benefits:
We offer market-competitive compensation and an excellent benefits program, including Medical, Dental, and Vision plans, company-paid holidays, matching 401k, and more!
About Inertia:
Inertia is taking the most direct, scientifically-proven path to commercializing fusion, leveraging the only successful achievement of fusion ignition, using a process that was pioneered at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). With groundbreaking innovation, transformative technology, and multi-year investment, Inertia is committed to commercializing fusion energy in the next decade.