Senior Aerothermal Engineer - Low Pressure Turbine (LPT)

About POWERTECH

POWERTECH is a center of excellence for propulsion technologies, specializing in the design, engineering, and manufacturing of combustion engines, expendable turbojet engines, and turbofan engines for aerospace, defence, and autonomous applications. Our solutions support fixed- and rotary-wing UAVs as well as other advanced platforms, driving innovation and performance in aerospace propulsion.

Job Overview

The Senior Aerothermal Engineer – Low Pressure Turbine will lead the design, analysis, and optimization of aerodynamic and thermal performance within the LPT module of advanced turbofan engines.

This role is responsible for developing high-efficiency, robust turbine flowpaths by integrating aerodynamic, thermal, and cooling strategies to meet performance, emissions, durability, and certification requirements.

The engineer will work collaboratively across design, mechanical, materials, and validation teams to ensure high-fidelity aerothermal solutions from concept through engine certification.

Key Responsibilities

Aerodynamic Design & Performance Optimization

Lead the aerodynamic design of LPT blade rows and flowpath features, including:

• Rotor and stator airfoils (2D/3D profiling, stacking, lean/sweep)
• Endwall contours and secondary flow management
• Shrouds, platforms, and interstage cavities
  
  

Perform flowpath sizing, stage loading distribution, and matching across modules (e.g., HPC-LPT transition).

Execute CFD simulations to evaluate blade performance, loss mechanisms, flow separation, and secondary flow structures.

Develop and refine airfoil designs to meet specific thrust, efficiency, and operability targets.

Thermal & Cooling Analysis

Analyze and predict heat transfer distributions and thermal gradients in turbine components under realistic operating conditions.

Support the design and integration of cooling strategies, including:

• Internal convection, impingement, and film cooling
• Cooling passages in blades, vanes, and platforms
• Thermal barrier coating effects
  
  

Interface with materials and mechanical teams to ensure thermomechanical integrity under combined loads.

Tool Development & Simulation

Develop and apply 1D, 2D, and 3D CFD tools for aerodynamic and heat transfer predictions.

Support multi-disciplinary optimization using parametric and automated CFD/thermal tools.

Collaborate with tool developers to improve simulation accuracy and correlation with test data.

Testing, Validation & Correlation

Support rig and engine-level test planning, instrumentation definition, and data analysis.

Analyze measured pressure, temperature, and performance data to validate and refine aerothermal models.

Identify deviations and propose design or model updates based on test insights.

Participate in design reviews (PDR, CDR) and prepare aerothermal technical documentation for certification.

Cross-Functional Integration

Interface with mechanical design engineers to ensure aerodynamic shapes meet manufacturability and durability constraints.

Work with structural, vibration, and thermal teams to achieve integrated LPT solutions.

Provide inputs to system performance and operability teams for engine-level performance prediction and transient behavior modeling.

Contribute to root cause analysis (RCA) and design remediation activities for test or field issues.

Innovation & Continuous Improvement

Drive implementation of advanced turbine aerodynamics technologies such as:

• Low-reaction stage design
• Non-axisymmetric endwalls
• Additive cooling geometries
  
  

Apply lessons learned and promote continuous improvement in design methodology and tools.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering required; Master’s or PhD preferred, with focus on turbomachinery aerodynamics, heat transfer, or CFD
• 7–10 years of experience in turbomachinery aerothermal design, ideally focused on turbines
• Demonstrated experience in LPT or hot-section aerodynamic and cooling design
• Familiarity with engine development lifecycle from concept through certification
• Proficient in CFD tools (e.g., ANSYS CFX, Fluent, NUMECA, STAR-CCM+, TRACE)
• Understanding of flowpath matching, stage performance, and loss mechanisms
• Experience with heat transfer modeling, cooling design, and CHT simulations
• Familiarity with CAD environments and design collaboration tools (CATIA, NX)
• Knowledge of FAA/EASA regulations and aerospace validation best practices
  
  

Preferred:

• Experience with cooled turbine blade/vane design or multi-stage turbine optimization
• Familiarity with test rig setups, measurement techniques (PSP, infrared thermography, thermal paint)
• Exposure to digital twin or physics-based engine modeling environments
• Understanding of unsteady aerodynamic phenomena (wake interaction, clocking, flutter)
  
  

Personal Attributes:

• Deep understanding of turbomachinery physics and flow behavior
• Analytical thinker with strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail
• Collaborative team player, able to integrate across technical domains
• Results-driven with a passion for innovation and continuous improvement
• Clear communicator, capable of explaining complex aerothermal concepts to cross-functional teams
  
  

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