Associate Specialist – Hydraulics

Job description

Job Description: Position Requirements Provide high-quality CFD and hydraulics support while contributing as an experienced mechanical engineer across new product development, engineering testing, proof-of-concept development, rapid prototyping, design improvement and product issue resolution. The role combines deep analytical capability with hands-on product engineering and cross-functional execution Key Roles and Responsibilities CFD, Hydraulics and Simulation Support • Perform CFD and hydraulic analyses for Pentair products and systems, including flow distribution, pressure drop, thermal-flow interaction where applicable, cavitation risk, pump/system performance and design optimization. • Develop appropriate analysis plans, modelling assumptions, boundary conditions, mesh strategies and solver approaches; assess result quality and clearly communicate limitations and engineering implications. • Provide project teams with timely, decision-oriented technical recommendations rather than analysis output alone. • Support root-cause investigations and product issue resolution using simulation, first-principles engineering and test evidence. • Promote consistent CFD and hydraulics methods, templates, review practices and knowledge sharing across the organization. Mechanical Engineering, NPD and Product Realization • Contribute across the NPD lifecycle, from problem definition and concept generation through detailed design, verification, validation and design transfer support. • Develop and evaluate mechanical concepts, layouts and design trade-offs using sound engineering judgement, calculations, CAD and simulation. • Work with laboratories and technicians to define test objectives, test setups, instrumentation, acceptance criteria and data interpretation. • Apply design-for-manufacture, design-for-assembly, tolerance, material and cost considerations when maturing concepts into product-ready solutions. • Support value engineering, cost reduction, reliability improvement, field failure analysis and continuous improvement initiatives. Required Technical Skills • Strong fundamentals in fluid mechanics, heat transfer, turbomachinery, and mechanical design. • Hands-on expertise with Ansys CFX and/or Ansys Fluent for pump or turbomachinery applications. • Practical experience in geometry preparation, meshing, solver setup, convergence assessment, and CFD post-processing. • Experience with centrifugal pump hydraulic design and performance characteristics, including head, flow, efficiency, power, NPSH and cavitation. • Proficiency with 3D CAD software such as SolidWorks, Creo/ProE or equivalent, including solid modelling, surface modelling and assemblies. • Working knowledge of pump design tools such as CFturbo, BladeGen or equivalent is preferred. • Working knowledge of Python, MATLAB, or equivalent language for engineering calculations, data processing, or workflow automation. Behavioral Expectations • Strong analytical thinking with a hands-on, product-focused mindset. • Comfort operating across both specialist analysis work and broader mechanical engineering assignments. • Ownership, adaptability and the ability to progress work despite incomplete information. • Effective teamwork, mentoring, stakeholder management and technical communication. • Commitment to engineering quality, safety, integrity and continuous learning. Education and Experience • B.E./B.Tech. or M.E./M.Tech. in Mechanical Engineering, preferably with specialization in CFD, turbomachinery, thermal engineering or a related field. • 5-7 years of relevant professional experience in CFD analysis and mechanical or hydraulic design. • Demonstrated experience with pumps, turbines, or other rotating machinery is strongly preferred. Added Advantage • Experience correlating CFD results with laboratory test data and supporting prototype validation. • Exposure optimization, process automation, AI/ML applications in engineering, or patent-related product development. • Experience in VAVE, cost reduction, sustaining engineering, and new product development for industrial products. • Position title will be given based on the experience & work capability of the candidate Equal Opportunity Employer Pentair is an Equal Opportunity Employer. With our expanding global presence, cross-cultural insight and competence are essential for our ongoing success. We believe that a diverse workforce contributes different perspectives and creative ideas that enable us to continue to improve every day.