Lead Research Engineer II - Fire Modeling

Job Description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Lead Research Engineer II at UL Research Institutes, based in our Columbia, Maryland, office.

The Lead Research Engineer II at UL Research Institutes leads advanced research in fire modeling and fire dynamics for the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI). Responsibilities include developing, validating, and applying fire models; designing and analyzing experiments; and documenting research outcomes. This role drives feasibility studies, develops solutions to complex engineering challenges, and serves as a recognized expert in hazard-based safety engineering. Projects require deep knowledge of state-of-the-art engineering principles and the ability to apply them to solve a wide range of research problems.

UL Research Institutes:

At UL Research Institutes (ULRI), we expand the boundaries of safety science to create a more secure and sustainable world. For more than a century, we have studied the unintended consequences of innovation, designed solutions to mitigate risk and shared our findings with academia, scientists, manufacturers, and policymakers across industries. We identify critical safety and sustainability issues, asking the tough questions because we believe a safer world begins with knowledge.

Build a safer, more secure, and sustainable future with us. Join us and work with our Fire Safety teams who conduct the research required to produce that knowledge and put into practice.

Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI)

UL's Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) advances fire safety knowledge to address the world's unresolved fire safety risks and emerging dangers. As part of UL Research Institutes, we are committed to sharing our fire safety insights with everyone to advance UL's public safety mission of providing safe living and working environments for people everywhere. Through advanced fire science, rigorous research, extensive outreach, and education in collaboration with our international network of partners, we share with stakeholders the information, tools, and resources that enable them to make better, more fire-safe decisions that ultimately save lives and property. To learn more, visit FSRI.org.

What you'll learn and achieve:

As the Lead Research Engineer II, you will play a key role in the rapid growth of UL as you:

• Identify fundamental knowledge needed to enhance UL's thought leadership and support the strategy of UL.

• Apply intensive and diverse knowledge of mathematics, computing, engineering science, and physics concepts to the specific research tasks. Exercises a high degree of judgment in formulating, evaluating, and correlating broad engineering research concepts and guiding the analysis of unique problems and developing new and improved techniques and methods for modeling and new and improved understanding of fire dynamics.

• Stay ahead of advancements in the fields of fire modeling and fire dynamics by reading journals and scientific publications, attending academic conferences, writing and collaborating on original publications, and delivering presentations on research topics. Stay abreast of current needs and trends.

• Plan, design, and complete initial and follow-up procedures as needed to test and validate results.

• Collaborate with industry, academics and other research and development staff to apply the results of research used to develop new techniques, products, practices and UL Standards.

• Oversight of multiple research projects and project teams.

• Serve as primary investigator (PI) for research projects.

• Research project budget responsibilities.

• Ensures research quality standards are met.

• Performs other duties as directed.

What you'll experience working at UL Research Institutes: We have pursued our mission of working for a safer, more secure, and sustainable world for nearly 130 years, embedding conscientious stewardship into everything we do.

• People: Our people make us special. You'll work with a diverse team of experts respected for their independence and transparency and build a network, because our approach is collaborative. We collaborate across disciplines, organizations, and geographies to build the global scientific response that today's global challenges require.

• Interesting work: Every day is different for us here. We see what's on the horizon and use our expertise to build the foundations of a safer future. You'll have the opportunity to push the boundaries of human understanding as part of a team working to advance the public good.

• Grow and achieve: We learn, work, and grow together through targeted development, reward, and recognition programs.

• Values. Four core values guide our work: collaboration, respect, integrity, and beneficence. By living our values, we inspire the trust essential to fulfilling our mission and foster the partnerships that enable us to pursue a beneficent future in which we all can thrive.

• Total Rewards: All employees at UL Research Institutes are eligible for bonus compensation. We offer comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans and a generous 401k matching structure of up to 5% of eligible pay. Moreover, we invest an additional 4% into your retirement saving fund after your first year of continuous employment. Depending on your role, you may be able to discuss flexible working arrangements with your manager. We also provide employees with paid time off, including vacation, holiday, sick, and volunteer days.

What makes you a great fit:

While no one candidate will embody every quality, the successful candidate will bring many of the following professional competencies and personal attributes:

• Demonstrated knowledge of fire dynamics, fire modeling, computational fluid dynamics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics.

• Demonstrated ability to maintain academic and applied knowledge and skills.

• Proficient in the use of Fire Dynamics Simulator.

• Proficient in numerical methods and programming (Fortran preferred).

• Proficiency with Python, git, LaTex, Linux, and high-performance computing.

• Excellent communication skills required.

• Advanced data analysis skills.

• Ability to collaborate with peers and work directly with other team members to complete a project from start to finish.

• Ability to serve as lead author on reports and papers.

Professional education and experience requirements for the role include:

• Bachelor's degree in Fire Protection Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering/scientific discipline, plus 12+ years of directly related work experience.

• Master's degreein Fire Protection Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering/scientific discipline, plus 10+ years of directly related work experience.

• PhD in Fire Protection Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering/scientific discipline, plus 8+ years of directly related work experience.

• Recognized accomplishments in technical research with published peer-reviewed works in technical journals or patents.

About UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement

UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement are nonprofit organizations dedicated to advancing safety science research through the discovery and application of scientific knowledge. We conduct rigorous independent research and analyze safety data, convene experts worldwide to address risks, share knowledge through safety education and public outreach initiatives, and develop standards to guide safe commercialization of evolving technologies. We foster communities of safety, from grassroots initiatives for neighborhoods to summits of world leaders. Our organization employs collaborative and scientific approaches with partners and stakeholders to drive innovation and progress toward improving safety, security, and sustainability, ultimately enhancing societal well-being.

Our affiliate, UL Solutions, stands alongside us in working for a safer and more sustainable world. UL Solutions conducts testing, verification and certification, and provides training and advisory services, along with data-driven reporting and decision-making tools, for customers around the world.

To learn more, visit our websites UL.org and ULSE.org.

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