Design Optimization Engineer - Postdoctoral Researcher

Key Skills

Algorithms, C Programming, C++, CUDA kernels, Data science techniques, Design, Effective communication skills, Machine learning techniques, Optimization, Software Development, Writing

Job Description

We have multiple openings for a Design Optimization Engineer - Postdoctoral Researcher to conduct basic and applied research in the optimization, simulation, and design of physical and engineered systems. You will work collaboratively and independently to extend and develop physics-based design optimization tools. The team is working to both extend the state-of-the-art and support Laboratory missions. These positions are in the Computational Engineering Division (CED), within the Engineering Directorate.

You will

• Develop and implement HPC algorithms for the simulation and design optimization of systems governed by nonlinear, transient, multiscale, and multiple physical phenomena that include uncertainties in geometry and material properties.
• Contribute to solving challenging design optimization problems.
• Develop and implement continuum simulations to solve the governing partial differential equations of the physical systems that govern the design response.
• Identify and solve challenging design optimization problems highlighting capabilities and establishing credibility with mission customers.
• Document research through presentations and peer-reviewed journal articles and contribute to identifying future research directions and proposals that will provide opportunities in the field.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. Citizenship.
• PhD in Engineering, Mathematics, Computational Science, or a related field.
• Experience developing simulation tools using continuum approaches (e.g., finite elements) for physical systems.
• Experience programming in C/C++/FORTRAN and scripting languages including Python.
• Knowledge of high-performance computing and one or more associated parallel programming interfaces, such as MPI, OpenMP, or CUDA.
• Ability to perform independent research.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills needed to effectively collaborate in a team environment, to present and explain technical information, to document work, and to prepare and present successful proposals and high-quality research papers.

Qualifications We Desire

• Knowledge of design sensitivity analysis via direct (forward) and adjoint (backward) methods.
• Knowledge of shape/topology optimization or other design optimization techniques and algorithms.
• Exposure to machine learning and other data science techniques.
• Experience working in a collaborative software development environment.