Aerodynamicist / CFD engineer
Finding downforce in simulation before anyone commits to making a part.
Adverts for this work usually name: Simcenter STAR-CCM+, Ansys Fluent, CATIA.
Who comes into this from somewhere else
Ranked by how much of the job carries over. Our judgement, not a measurement, and it is here to tell you where to start looking.
From Aerospace & defence
Same solvers, same meshing judgement, same turbulence modelling. The application changes, the method does not.
What you would need to add
Computational fluid dynamics. Where aerodynamic surfaces are tested before anything is made.
From Energy & renewables
Rotating-frame CFD and boundary-layer work map closely onto wing and floor development.
What you would need to add
Computational fluid dynamics. Where aerodynamic surfaces are tested before anything is made.
Surface modelling for complex curved bodywork. The reason aero parts are drawn in it rather than a general-purpose CAD package.