Principal CFD Engineer

Job Title:
Principal CFD Engineer

Location:
Barrow-in-Furness, Frimley, Filton or Portsmouth. We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role

Salary:
Circa £50,000 depending on skills and experience

What You'll Be Doing

• Conducting Computational Fluid Dynamic analysis and evaluation of submarine platforms from concept, design to in-service support
• Undertaking technical work on all aspects of CFD simulations, including pre-processing (CAD modelling and meshing), developing CFD model, solving, post processing and authoring technical reports/presentations
• You will be developing the in-house modelling capability, processes and toolsets for use on our high-performance computing platform
• Provide guidance and support to junior team members to develop their technical skills, problem-solving abilities and professional growth
• Working collaboratively with naval architects, systems teams, maneuvering and control teams and propulsion engineers as well as customers and suppliers to deliver innovative submarine solutions
• Validating CFD predictions of submarine performance as an alternative mathematical/computational methods and physical model testing
• Provide informal technical coaching and mentoring to junior members of the team

Essential
Your skills and experiences

• An in-depth knowledge and proven experience of at least one CFD modelling software package such as Star-CCM+, Ansys Fluent/CFX or Open FOAM
• Experience in the use of various CFD techniques to model complex fluid dynamics problems
• A strong understanding of fluid dynamic principles and methods
• Degree in Aeronautical Engineering, Mechanical, Mathematics, Physics etc or equivalent experience

Desirable

• Hydrodynamic/aerodynamic design and evaluation experience

Benefits
As well as a competitive pension scheme, BAE Systems also offers employee share plans, an extensive range of flexible discounted health, wellbeing and lifestyle benefits, including a green car scheme, private health plans and shopping discounts – you may also be eligible for an annual incentive.

The External Fluid Dynamics team
By joining us in the team, you will help to support multiple submarine programs including the production and build stages and covering the entire design cycle.

You will be supporting our CFD modelling which typically aims to analyse system level or whole boat performance and may include external flow, powering, resistance, signature performance, optimisation, multiphase, waves or motion. You will have fantastic opportunities for professional career progression towards Consultancy or Management roles. We offer relocation support packages across all Submarines roles, subject to meeting eligibility criteria.

Why BAE Systems?
This is a place where you'll be able to make a real difference. You'll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity of thought, rewards integrity, and merit, and where you'll be empowered to fulfil your potential. We welcome people from all backgrounds and want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date:
27th November 2025

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible