Computational Fluid Dynamics Thermal - CFD Thermal Engineer

Computational Fluid Dynamics Thermal - CFD Thermal Engineer

Fortune Brands Innovation, Inc. is focused on driving our brand, innovation, and channel leadership, and winning in supercharged categories. We are looking for a Simulation Engineer in our New Innovation Center in Nuevo Leon. You will work with cross functional teams to design, develop, and validate product changes from concept to launch. You will mentor new talent, especially entry level engineers with the possibility to mentor interns. Your design work will support our continuous improvement and cost reduction agendas to improve the health of our business.

We are seeking a creative, curious, and technically rigorous Thermal Engineer to join our Virtual Validation team. This role is central to transforming how we simulate and validate thermal performance across a wide range of home products—including faucets, seals, and composite components—using advanced CFD and conjugate heat transfer methods. You will play a key role in building high-fidelity digital twins that replace physical testing, accelerate product development, and ensure compliance with performance and regulatory standards. Your work will directly contribute to our goal of eliminating ≥80% of physical thermal testing while maintaining high correlation accuracy and reducing validation lead time.

As the Thermal Engineer, you will lead the development of simulation frameworks that replicate real-world thermal behavior in consumer products. You'll work closely with material scientists, lab technicians, and data analysts to build predictive models that are both technically robust and scalable across product families.

• Design and execute CFD simulations focused on heat transfer, thermal gradients, and environmental exposure using tools like Ansys Fluent, COMSOL, or similar.
• Model conjugate heat transfer across metals, polymers, and fiber composites, integrating material-specific thermal properties and degradation behaviors.
• Develop parametric simulation templates and playbooks for thermal domains, including chamber testing, accelerated aging, and humidity exposure.
• Calibrate thermal models using coupon test data and validate them against physical results.
• Automate simulation workflows using Python and APDL, enabling scalable meshing, parametric sweeps, and post-processing.
• Integrate AI/ML techniques to:
  • Build surrogate models for rapid design screening.
  • Apply active learning to minimize physical test requirements
  • Support uncertainty quantification and sensitivity analysis.
• Collaborate with lab technicians to ensure high-quality instrumentation and traceable thermal data for model validation.
• Contribute to simulation governance, including credibility reports, correlation matrices, and KPI dashboards.
• Mentor engineers and promote best practices in thermal simulation and digital validation.
• Bring a playful, innovative mindset to a fast-paced, cross-functional environment where experimentation and creativity are valued.

Basic:

• B.S. degree in Engineering (Mechanical preferred) from an accredited university
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in CFD simulation focused on heat transfer and thermal systems.
• New product development launch and Stage Gate experience
• Proven track record of delivering products and/or processes to launch with differentiated innovative fit form and function.
• Experience with 3-D Parametric Solid Modeling Solid Works, Microsoft Project, and Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Proficiency in CFD tools such as Ansys Fluent, COMSOL Multiphysics, or similar.
• Strong understanding of conjugate heat transfer, thermal boundary conditions, and material thermal properties.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate in cross-functional teams.
• Passion for innovation, problem-solving, and working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Preferred:

• Master's degree in mechanical engineering, Thermal Sciences, or a related discipline.
• Experience with multi-material modeling, especially involving hyperelastic and viscoelastic polymers and fiber composites.
• Familiarity with accelerated environmental testing (e.g., humidity chambers, thermal cycling) and its digital correlation.
• Hands-on experience with thermal instrumentation and lab data acquisition systems.
• Familiarity with AI/ML techniques such as surrogate modeling (e.g., Random Forest, Gaussian Processes) and active learning for test selection.
• Experience integrating simulation workflows with Python for automation (e.g., APDL scripting, parametric sweeps, report generation).
• Knowledge of model validation frameworks (e.g., ASME V&V, NASA-style credibility reports).
• Ability to contribute to credibility documentation, dashboards, and KPI tracking.
• Experience working in cross-functional teams with design, quality, and manufacturing.
• A mindset that embraces experimentation, creativity, and continuous improvement.