Solver Developer

Luminary Cloud helps engineering companies be more competitive by getting to market faster, creating new, better products, and reducing development risk. We do this with our Physics AI platform, the fastest and easiest way to build and deploy models to understand and instantly predict physical reality with precision. Customers span industries from automotive and aerospace, to leading sporting equipment providers, including Otto Aviation, Joby Aviation, Piper Aircraft and Trek Bikes. Luminary is a Series B company and is headquartered in San Mateo, California.

• Luminary Cloud is transforming how the world's most innovative companies generate vast amounts of CFD simulation data for Physics AI, design exploration, and optimization. Backed by Sutter Hill Ventures, our Series B startup is at the forefront of the transition to Physics-based AI through our scalable cloud platform.

• Work with product teams to define features for single-phase CFD solutions based on customer needs and implement industrial-grade solvers.
• Define solution strategies for fluid flow systems and implement numerical methods for compressible and incompressible flows, with emphasis on incompressible internal flows and conjugate heat transfer.
• Architect Finite Volume Method (FVM) implementations on unstructured grids, including flux schemes, gradient methods, and boundary conditions.
• Develop turbulence modeling capabilities (RANS, DDES, LES) and moving parts solutions (MRF, sliding mesh) for industrial applications.
• Write high-performance C++ code (C++17 or later) and implement parallel computing solutions using MPI and CUDA.
• Drive best practices for code quality, testing, and enterprise-level software development.
• Create technical documentation and work directly with customers to iterate on solutions based on feedback.
• Verify implementation and validate chosen methods and models for accuracy and performance in production environments.

• PhD in Computational Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline.
• 5+ years of industrial CFD development experience with a proven track record of delivering customer value.
• Deep expertise in numerical methods for fluid flows, including compressible and incompressible single-phase applications.
• Practical experience with Finite Volume Method (FVM) on unstructured grids and strong fundamentals in numerical methods and linear solvers.
• Production-level C++ programming (C++17 or later) with ability to write performant, scalable code.
• Experience with GPU computing for solving CFD equation systems and parallel programming using MPI and CUDA.
• Proficient in Python and enterprise software development practices including testing and CI/CD.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to communicate complex technical concepts effectively.

• Physics Expertise: Comprehensive knowledge of turbulence modeling (RANS, DDES, LES), moving parts (MRF, sliding mesh), and application-specific modeling. Ideally with emphasis on incompressible internal flows, heat transfer in solids, and Conjugate Heat Transfer (CHT). Multiphysics experience is a plus.
• Technical Leadership: Leads by example through shipping high-quality code with velocity. Biased toward shipping early and iterating quickly with internal teams and external customers.
• Startup Environment: Thrives in a fast-paced startup environment with a collaborative approach and clear communication. Curious and quick learner across product areas outside existing expertise.
• In-Office Commitment: Enthusiastic about being in-office 5 days a week, contributing to our collaborative development culture.
• Customer Focus: Experience working with customers to understand requirements, gather feedback, and iterate on solutions for real-world industrial applications.