CAD Design Engineer

CFD Research awarded $1.8 million U.S. Air Force contract to advance ai-powered infrared target detection and tracking. HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - CFD Research has been awarded a $1.8 million contract from the U.S. Air Force to develop an AI-driven framework that improves the speed, reliability, and efficiency of infrared-based systems used to detect and track airborne targets. Modern air defense depends on the ability to find and follow threats quickly and quietly. Infrared Search and Track (IRST) systems do this by sensing the heat signatures of aircraft and other airborne targets without emitting signals that could reveal their presence to an adversary. While this gives them a significant advantage over radar, these systems still struggle to perform consistently across changing environmental conditions, are constrained by limited training data, and must operate within the strict size, weight, and power limits of airborne platforms. The result is a capability gap between what these systems need to do and what current technology can reliably deliver. To close that gap, CFD Research is developing a comprehensive, AI-powered framework that addresses each stage of the detection and tracking process, from generating high-quality synthetic training data to detecting and tracking targets in real time, to streamlining the pipeline that keeps the system current as new data becomes available. The framework is designed from the ground up to run efficiently on the compact, power-limited hardware found on operational airborne platforms, making it practical for real-world Air Force use rather than just laboratory demonstration. "The challenge with IRST isn't just building a system that works, it's building one that works consistently on limited hardware, across the full range of conditions it will actually encounter," said Jackson Cornelius, Manager in the Intelligence, Software, and Sensing Division at CFD Research. "This framework is designed to meet that bar, bringing the latest advances in AI to a capability the Air Force depends on." This work supports the Air Force's broader effort to integrate advanced AI and machine learning into operational defense systems, improving the speed and accuracy of threat detection while reducing the burden on human operators. The tools and methods developed through this program are designed for direct integration into Air Force workflows, accelerating the path from research to operational impact. *This material is based upon work supported by the United States Air Force under Contract No. FA2377-25-C-B014. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Air Force. About CFD Research: Founded in 1987, CFD Research is a 100% employee-owned (ESOP) engineering and technology firm specializing in advanced capabilities across hypersonics, artificial intelligence & machine learning (AI/ML), sensing, power & energy, electronics, health & human performance, and space. The company develops and commercializes cutting-edge 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 six times in the past seven years. Headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama, with facilities in Dayton, OH, Hollywood, AL, and Fort Walton Beach, FL, CFD Research is CMMC Level 2 Enterprise Certified, ISO 9001:AS9100D registered, and CMMI Level II appraised for Services. Learn more at www.cfd-research.com.

CFD Research named to Inc. 5000 for sixth time in seven years. Huntsville, Ala. - CFD Research has once again earned a spot on the Inc. 5000 list of America's fastest-growing private companies, marking the company's sixth recognition in seven years. Ranked No. 3497 for 2026, CFD Research also moved up from its No. 3714 ranking in 2025, continuing a strong track record of sustained growth. Founded in Huntsville in 1987, CFD Research has grown by developing advanced technologies and engineering solutions that address complex challenges for government and commercial customers. Today, the company's technology portfolio spans hypersonics, artificial intelligence & machine learning, sensing, power & energy, electronics, health & human performance, and space. "Being recognized on the Inc. 5000 for the sixth time in seven years is something our entire team can be proud of," said Sameer Singhal, President & CEO of CFD Research. "Our growth is made possible by the dedication of our employee-owners, the trust of our customers, and our continued focus on solving challenging problems through technology. We're grateful for how far we've come and excited about where we're headed." The Inc. 5000 recognizes the fastest-growing private companies in America based on percentage revenue growth over a three-year period. CFD Research's continued presence on the list reflects the company's ability to grow while expanding its technical capabilities, customer relationships, and national presence. As a 100% employee-owned company, CFD Research continues to invest in its people, technologies, and facilities while pursuing new opportunities to support increasingly complex programs and missions. The company's rise to No. 3497 this year builds on that momentum and marks another milestone in CFD Research's continued growth. Complete results of the 2026 Inc. 5000 can be found here. About CFD Research: Founded in 1987, CFD Research is a 100% employee-owned (ESOP) engineering and technology firm specializing in advanced capabilities across hypersonics, artificial intelligence & machine learning (AI/ML), sensing, power & energy, electronics, health & human performance, and space. The company develops and commercializes cutting-edge 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 six times in the past seven years. Headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama, with facilities in Dayton, OH, Hollywood, AL, and Fort Walton Beach, FL, CFD Research is CMMC Level 2 Enterprise Certified, ISO 9001:AS9100D registered, and CMMI Level II appraised for Services. Learn more at www.cfd-research.com.

CFD Research awarded $2 million Missile Defense Agency contract to advance next-generation missile propulsion technology. HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - CFD Research, in collaboration with Purdue University, has been awarded a $2 million contract by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to develop next-generation solid propellant technology for missile defense interceptors. The award recognizes CFD Research's leadership in advanced propulsion research and computational modeling, while Purdue University contributes deep expertise in propellant chemistry and energetic materials science. Together, the teams are combining laboratory experimentation, machine learning, and analytical modeling to develop propellants that push the boundaries of what is currently possible in missile defense. Under this contract, CFD Research and Purdue are developing a new class of solid propellant that simultaneously improves thrust responsiveness and energy output - two qualities that have historically been difficult to advance together. Building on earlier research that proved this combination is achievable without compromising military safety classifications, this effort will scale that work into a full production and testing environment, validated across a range of thrust levels and chamber pressures. The program will also produce ProForm, a machine learning-based software tool designed to predict propellant burn behavior from experimental data. ProForm is intended to help development teams identify high-performing formulations faster, reducing the cost and time associated with large-scale physical testing while giving future programs a smarter foundation for propellant design. "This effort is about pushing the boundaries of what solid propulsion systems can achieve," said Debasis Sengupta, Principal Investigator at CFD Research. "By combining advanced chemistry with machine learning, we're creating propellants and predictive tools that enable faster, more agile response capabilities that strengthen the performance and reliability of next-generation defense systems." At the conclusion of this program, the team expects to deliver one or more flight-ready propellant formulations and the ProForm software, both at a maturity level suitable for transition into engineering and manufacturing development. This award highlights CFD Research's long-standing expertise at the intersection of propulsion, energetic materials, and computational science, and reinforces North Alabama's growing role as a hub for nationally significant defense technology development. **This material is based upon work supported by the Missile Defense Agency under Contract No. HQ086026CE044. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Missile Defense Agency. 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.