Conjugate Heat Transfer Engineer

Shape the future of innovation as we tackle cutting-edge projects that make a difference. We’re not just in the business of engineering—we’re building a brighter future. Driven by creativity and a culture of excellence, we believe in the power of engineering to solve today’s challenges and create opportunities for tomorrow. What we do matters.

If you’re early in your career and want to work on real gas turbine hardware—not just models sitting in a vacuum—this is one of those roles that actually builds your depth fast.

Quest Defense Systems & Solutions is supporting advanced turbomachinery and engine programs, and we’re looking for a Conjugate Heat Transfer (CHT) Engineer who can contribute to CFD and aero-thermal analysis across critical engine components. You’ll be working alongside experienced engineers, building models, running analyses, and helping solve real thermal challenges tied directly to hardware performance and reliability.

This isn’t a siloed modeling role. You’ll be part of a collaborative team working closely with the customer—translating problems into analysis, identifying risks, and helping drive solutions that matter.

What makes this role different:

• You’ll work on real gas turbine applications, not just theoretical studies
• Exposure to full engine and secondary airflow systems, not just isolated components
• Direct interaction with customer engineering teams
• Opportunity to grow quickly in CFD, CHT, and aero-thermal analysis

This role is remote with up to 10% travel. 

Due to the nature of this work, all candidates must be U.S. Citizens.

Key Responsibilities

• Use computational tools to perform thermal and/or CFD analysis for gas turbine components and turbomachinery
• Lead the effort in development of geometry and mesh for analysis models along with the necessary model setup and analysis of those models
• Post-process and prepare high-quality presentations of results
• Prepare and present reports on findings on formal technical reviews
• Create, support and maintain secondary airflow system models and whole engine models
• Develop and participate in root cause and/or risk failure mode and error analysis (FMEA) for gas turbine engines
• Support test and fielded hardware verification and validation efforts

Required Qualifications

• The successful candidate is detail oriented and highly collaborative. There will be a significant amount of interaction with the customer’s teams. Listening to the customer’s issues and offering proactive solutions is critical to building a strong relationship with this new customer.
• 1-3 years’ experience in Conjugate Heat Transfer (CHT), CFD Analysis, Aero-Thermal and Secondary Airflow Systems
• BS or higher in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or equivalent
• Exposure to the gas turbines is highly preferred
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines, work under time constraints, maintain composure and handle multiple tasks simultaneously
• Experience with Star-CCM+, ANSYS Fluent, or CFX is highly preferred
• Experience with ANSYS Classic and ANSYS Workbench
• Knowledge of scripting tools, i.e. APDL or Python
• Proficiency with MS Office, particularly MS Excel required
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team environment
• Like to work in a fast paced, creative environment
• Enjoy people and dynamic teams with diverse experiences. We have fun together!

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with conjugate heat transfer (CHT) modeling in turbomachinery environments (cooling passages, blades, vanes, combustor components)
• Understanding of heat transfer fundamentals (conduction, convection, radiation) applied to high-temperature systems
• Familiarity with secondary airflow systems and internal cooling flows in gas turbine engines
• Experience working with rotating machinery or turbomachinery (compressors, turbines, combustors)
• Knowledge of mesh generation best practices (structured/unstructured, boundary layer refinement, y+ considerations)
• Experience with transient CFD analysis and thermal cycling scenarios
• Exposure to multi-physics simulations (thermal + structural coupling / FEA interaction)
• Familiarity with design iteration and optimization workflows (parametric studies, DOE, automation)
• Experience supporting validation against test data (correlating CFD results to experimental data)
• Working knowledge of Linux/Unix environments for running large simulations
• Experience with post-processing tools (ParaView, Tecplot, or similar)
• Exposure to high-performance computing (HPC) environments

The QDSS Advantage:  

At QDSS, our advantage is purpose-driven work, collaborative teams, and complex challenges that push boundaries and build lasting impact. You’ll grow your career while contributing to mission-critical programs that demand excellence and shape the future. 

What You’ll Find Here 

• Work That Matters – Next-generation, safety- and mission-critical projects where your contributions have real-world impact. 
• Growth That’s Supported – Competitive compensation, employer-matched 401(k), certification assistance, and clear opportunities for advancement. 
• A Culture That Works – A flexible, collaborative, and people-first environment where teamwork, innovation, and balance are valued. 

Benefits Include 

• Competitive pay, comprehensive medical/dental/life and disability coverage, 401(k) with employer match, professional development support, and a flexible, friendly workplace.