Containerization & Platform Engineer for Missile Defense System

CFD Research awarded NASA contract to advance microbial detection for planetary protection. HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - CFD Research Corporation has been awarded a NASA contract to develop advanced technologies that improve the detection of hard-to-find microorganisms, supporting planetary protection efforts for future space missions. As NASA expands exploration to the Moon, Mars, and beyond, preventing the unintended transfer of Earth-based microbes to other planetary bodies is critical. Even trace amounts of contamination can impact scientific discovery and mission integrity. However, detecting these microorganisms, especially those that are highly resilient and present in extremely low numbers, remains a significant technical challenge. To address this, CFD Research is developing a novel approach called Genomic Rapid Inspection of Non-abundant bacteria after Decontamination (GRIND). This technique is designed to significantly improve how microbial samples are processed and analyzed, enabling more effective detection of organisms that can survive harsh, space-like environments. Many of the most concerning microbes, such as bacterial endospores, are highly resistant to traditional analysis methods and can evade detection during standard sample preparation. The GRIND approach introduces a combined mechanical and chemical process that dramatically improves the ability to break down these resilient organisms and recover their genetic material for analysis. By enhancing detection sensitivity and efficiency, this technology aims to close a critical gap in current planetary protection protocols - helping ensure that spacecraft and exploration systems meet the highest standards for biological cleanliness. "Detecting extremely low levels of resilient microorganisms is one of the biggest challenges in planetary protection," said David Gaddes, Manager in the Biotechnology & Life Sciences Division at CFD Research. "With GRIND, we're developing a more effective way to uncover what traditional methods can miss, helping NASA safeguard future missions and preserve the integrity of scientific exploration." This work supports NASA's broader mission to responsibly explore space while preventing biological contamination, enabling more reliable scientific results and protecting the environments of other worlds. About CFD Research Founded in 1987, CFD Research is a 100% employee-owned (ESOP) engineering and technology firm delivering innovative solutions across Aerospace, Defense, Intelligence, Sensing, Biotechnology, Life Sciences, Prototyping, and Test & Evaluation. The company is recognized for developing and commercializing advanced multi-physics simulation software, component and system technology prototypes, multidisciplinary analyses, and expert support services. This work has earned multiple national awards, along with recognition on the Inc. 5000 list five times in the past six years. Headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama, with facilities in Dayton, OH, Hollywood, AL, and Fort Walton Beach, FL, CFD Research is ISO 9001:AS9100D registered and CMMI Level II appraised for Services. Learn more at www.cfd-research.com.

CFD Research awarded NASA contract to advance high-efficiency propulsion for future space and hypersonic systems. HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - CFD Research has been awarded a NASA contract to develop advanced nozzle technologies that improve the performance and efficiency of next-generation propulsion systems for space and hypersonic applications. As demand grows for faster, longer-range flight and more efficient in-space propulsion, new engine concepts are needed to deliver greater performance without increasing size or weight. Rotating detonation engines (RDEs) are an emerging technology which offers a more efficient way to generate thrust; however, key components such as exhaust nozzle design remain underdeveloped and significantly impact overall engine weight, performance, and stability. To address this challenge, CFD Research is developing a comprehensive design and optimization framework for next-generation propulsion nozzles. Building on successful initial research, the team will combine high-fidelity simulation, reduced-order modeling, and experimental validation to better understand how nozzle design influences engine efficiency and stability under realistic operating conditions. This effort will include collaboration with the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), where experimental testing will help validate performance and accelerate the transition of these technologies into practical applications. "Rotating detonation engines are a key enabling technology for the next generation of hypersonic and space vehicles," said Tim Dawson, Combustion Group Leader at CFD Research. "Our goal is to develop the modeling tools and infrastructure needed to design and optimize these propulsion systems, grounding them with a targeted experimental test campaign to bring the theoretical gains into practice." By advancing the design of critical propulsion components, this work supports NASA's mission to develop innovative technologies which expand the boundaries of air and space travel. The outcomes of this project could contribute to more efficient launch systems, extended mission ranges, and future manned space exploration. About CFD Research Founded in 1987, CFD Research is a 100% employee-owned (ESOP) engineering and technology firm delivering innovative solutions across Aerospace, Defense, Intelligence, Sensing, Biotechnology, Life Sciences, Prototyping, and Test & Evaluation. The company is recognized for developing and commercializing advanced multi-physics simulation software, component and system technology prototypes, multidisciplinary analyses, and expert support services. This work has earned multiple national awards, along with recognition on the Inc. 5000 list five times in the past six years. Headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama, with facilities in Dayton, OH, Hollywood, AL, and Fort Walton Beach, FL, CFD Research is ISO 9001:AS9100D registered and CMMI Level II appraised for Services. Learn more at www.cfd-research.com.

CFD Research awarded $6.6 million DARPA contract to harness microsystems & biocatalysts for catalysis-based synthesis. HUNTSVILLE, Ala. CFD Research Corporation, in partnership with The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), has been awarded a $6.6 million contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to support the Microsystems Induced Catalysis (MICA) program, which seeks to develop microsystems that can precisely control molecular catalytic activity. The award recognizes CFD Research's leadership in delivering the theoretical, computational, and modeling foundation required to guide complex experimental efforts across the MICA research ecosystem, while UAH contributes deep expertise in biological sciences, atomistic modeling, and experimental insight critical to understanding how molecular catalysts behave in real-world microsystems. Together, the teams will integrate theory, computation, and experiment to accelerate discovery and reduce costly trial-and-error experimentation. Modern biomanufacturing faces a significant challenge: existing methods rely heavily on trial-and-error experimentation and outdated modeling tools that fail to account for how enzymes behave when attached to surfaces in real-world systems. This limits precision, scalability, and efficiency, particularly in applications that require complex, multi-step enzymatic cascades. Under MICA, CFD Research and UAH are working together to close this gap by combining advanced simulation, molecular-level modeling, and experimental insight to better predict how molecular behavior, surface interactions, and microsystem design influence catalytic performance. To support this effort, CFD Research is developing MAESTRO (Multimodal Approach for Enzyme-cascade Simulations Towards Reaction Optimization), a unified simulation framework that combines physics-based modeling, artificial intelligence, and molecular-level analysis. MAESTRO is designed to help experimental teams prioritize promising pathways, guide high-value experiments, and better understand how catalytic systems perform in realistic operating environments. "Today's biomanufacturing challenges demand more than trial and error," said Ketan Bhatt, the project's Principal Investigator. "With MAESTRO, we're building a smarter, integrated framework that connects what's happening at the molecular level to real-world production outcomes." The MICA program seeks to unlock new capabilities by enabling precise control over molecular catalysts within microsystems, with potential applications spanning advanced manufacturing, medical therapeutics, environmental remediation, and national security technologies. By serving as a modeling and analysis partner, CFD Research will help ensure that experimental efforts across the program are grounded in predictive science. This award highlights CFD Research's long-standing expertise at the intersection of biology, chemistry, engineering, and computation, while also marking an important milestone for UAH's Department of Biological Sciences, reinforcing North Alabama's growing role in nationally significant, interdisciplinary research initiatives. About CFD Research Since its inception in 1987, CFD Research has delivered innovative technology solutions within the Aerospace & Defense, Biomedical & Life Sciences, Intelligence & Sensing, and Energy & Materials industries. CFD Research has earned multiple national awards for successful application and commercialization of innovative component/system technology prototypes, multi-physics simulation software, multi-disciplinary analyses, and expert support services. Based in Huntsville, Alabama where laboratory facilities and headquarters are located, CFD Research also has office and laboratory facilities in Dayton, Ohio, prototyping test and evaluation facilities in Hollywood, Alabama, and office facilities in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. CFD Research is an ISO9001:AS9100D registered company and is appraised at CMMI Level II for Services. CFD Research is a 100% ESOP (employee-owned company) recognized in Inc. Magazine's Inc. 5000 as a top growing company for five of the last six years. Learn more at www.cfd-research.com.