Numerical Simulation Engineer

Lieu : Herstal, Belgium

Context & Mission

Within Thales VTS Belgium, you will join a team of advanced numerical simulation engineers to contribute to the design, optimization, and validation of complex defense systems. Your role will involve modeling, simulating, and analyzing physical phenomena (fluid flows, heat transfer, fluid-structure interactions, etc.) using CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics), multi-physics, and finite element methods (FEM). You will collaborate closely with R&D, design, and production teams to ensure the performance and reliability of Thales’ cutting-edge solutions.

Why Join Thales?

Joining Thales means becoming part of a global leader in critical technologies, where innovation and technical excellence drive our mission. You will contribute to high-impact projects while benefiting from a collaborative ecosystem and diverse career opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

CFD Simulation: Model and analyze fluid flows (compressible/incompressible, turbulent, multiphase) for critical applications (aerodynamics, propulsion, thermal management, etc.). Use industry-standard tools such as OpenFOAM, ANSYS Fluent/CFX, STAR-CCM+, or in-house Thales codes. Validate results through comparison with experimental or analytical data. Multi-Physics & FEM: Couple physical phenomena (e.g., fluid-structure interaction, thermal-mechanical, aeroacoustics) using tools like ANSYS Multiphysics, COMSOL, or internal codes. Perform finite element analysis (FEM) to assess structural integrity, stress, deformation, and fatigue in mechanical components interacting with fluid flows. Use ANSYS Mechanical, Creo Simulate or similar for static/dynamic structural analyses. Develop reduced-order models (ROM) or hybrid methods to optimize system performance. Optimization & Innovation: Contribute to the improvement of simulation tools (automation, Python scripting, HPC). Propose innovative solutions to address technical challenges (e.g., drag reduction, thermal management). Collaborate with data science teams to integrate AI/ML approaches into simulation workflows. Collaboration & Reporting: Work closely with R&D (Research & Development), design, testing, and customer teams. Prepare technical reports, presentations, and specifications for project reviews. Support wind tunnel or laboratory tests to correlate simulation and experimental data.

Required Profile

Degree: Master’s or Engineering Degree in Fluid Mechanics, Aeronautics, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Applied Physics.

Experience:
3 to 5 years in numerical simulation (CFD focus) in an industrial or academic environment (internships included). Experience in multi-physics or FEM (fluid-structure interaction, thermal-mechanical coupling, etc.) is a strong plus. Familiarity with aerospace/defense standards (e.g., DO-160, MIL-STD) is appreciated. Technical skills CFD: Proficiency in at least one CFD software (OpenFOAM, ANSYS Fluent/CFX, STAR-CCM+). Knowledge of turbulence models (RANS, LES, DES), numerical methods (FVM, FEM), and meshing tools (ICEM CFD, Pointwise, snappyHexMesh). Multi-Physics & FEM: Understanding of solid mechanics, heat transfer, and electromagnetics (depending on applications). Familiarity with fluid-structure interaction (FSI) tools Programming & Automation: Scripting (Python, Bash) for pre/post-processing (e.g., Paraview, Tecplot, matplotlib). Knowledge of High-Performance Computing (HPC) and Linux/cluster environments. Additional Tools: CAD software (e.g. CATIA, SolidWorks, Creo) for geometry preparation. Version control (Git, SVN) and collaboration tools (Jira, Confluence).

Soft Skills

• Scientific rigor and ability to analyze complex results.
• Teamwork: Collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary project teams.
• Autonomy & proactivity to propose innovative solutions.
• Technical English (minimum B2 level) for international collaboration.