Blast Effects FEA Engineers

What if you could work with remarkable people on extraordinary things? What if the end result was something a little bit special? What if your role was mission critical?
For nearly 70 years, AWE has been at the forefront of nuclear weapons research and development. We have a critical mission: to provide the warheads for the UK’s ultimate deterrent - Trident. We also use our unique skills to provide wider UK government with counter-terrorism and nuclear threat reduction solutions.
It takes a special sort of person to work at AWE. What if that person was you?
AWE currently have excellent opportunities for Blast Effects FEA Engineers
These roles sit within the Engineering Analysis Team. The team supports AWE’s mission by providing a range of computational mechanics services to the business, such as finite element analysis (FEA), computational fluid dynamics (CFD), thermal and blast analysis. The team work on weapons-related projects which underpin continuous-at-sea-deterrence and contribute to the security of the nation.
Role: Blast Effects FEA Engineers
Location: Reading Area
Closing date: 11th January 2024
Salary: £35,720 - £65,000 (depending on your suitability and level of experience)
As part of our People Promise, AWE (one of the best 25 big companies to work for in the UK) has a range of benefits to suit you. These include:

• Time to recharge your batteries with 270 hours of annual leave (plus every other Friday off work)
• Consideration for flexible working arrangements so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know on your application if you wish to work part time
• Opportunities for Professional Career Development that include funding for the annual membership of a relevant professional body, access to mentors and training
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services
• A generous defined contribution Group Personal Pension (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your own contribution)
• Life Assurance
• Discounts - access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending
• Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring for your family
• A host of voluntary & core benefits to suit your health and wellbeing - more information available on our careers site
• Relocation package available (terms and conditions apply)
• Potential opportunities to travel with work for conferences and collaboration

The analysis projects you will work on are interesting and varied and may include:

• Simulation of large-scale and conventional blast and shock effects
• Assessment of structural response/damage
• Simulation of high-velocity impact
• Hydrocode modelling
• Explicit dynamic finite element analysis
• Multi physics coupling inc. FSI

In addition to day-to-day analysis tasks, other responsibilities may include:

• Communicating analysis results through production of clear, concise reports & presentations
• Applying model V&V techniques whilst adhering to quality assurance procedures
• Representing the wider business at national and international conferences

We would like to hear from candidates with a degree level background in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or related discipline.
Experience in one or more of the following would be beneficial:

• Commercial/open source hydrocodes, e.g., Autodyn, ViperBlast, BlastFoam
• Commercial FEA codes, particularly ANSYS, ABAQUS and LS-DYNA
• Commercial pre-processors such as Altair HyperMesh and ANSYS Workbench
• Explosive detonation, blast propagation and resulting structural response
• Engineering calculations and empirical and semi-empirical analysis techniques (e.g., UFC 3-340-01, UFC 3-340-02)
• Material characterisation and calibration of material models and equations of state
• Testing techniques used to obtain mechanical material property data
• Experimentation for the acquisition of model validation data
• PLM and CAD systems - Siemens Teamcenter and NX are particularly desirable
• Linux based HPC systems and batch submission systems
• Use of Python scripting to automate models and analyse data

Candidates must be willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role and be willing and able to interact with peers internationally including presenting at specialist conferences.
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Please note that you must be a British National to apply for a role with us.
Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work. We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants. Any inclusion information you provide us will be used to encourage and support you through the application process and will be held only for this purpose in accordance with GDPR.