Internship - Marine Propeller CFD Engineer
Engineering | Marseille
Performance assessment of marine propellers using RANS CFD simulation and the impact on the hull-propeller interaction
About Syroco
Syroco is a Climate Tech startup helping the maritime industry accelerate its energy transition. We deliver digital solutions that enable ship operators and charterers to reduce emissions and optimise performance by combining advanced physics modeling, data analytics, and machine learning.
Role Overview
We are offering an internship focused on hydrodynamic computation of ship propellers using CFD RANS simulations.
The objective is twofold:
- Quantify propeller performance curves (Kt, Kq) in open water.
- Analyze hull–propeller interaction effects (1 – t, 1 – w) through auto-propulsion computations with the hull.
This work will directly contribute to improving our proprietary maritime models and simulation capabilities, reinforcing the accuracy of Syroco’s digital solutions for ship performance optimization and weather routing.
Key Responsibilities
Scientific Development & Modeling
- Set up and run RANS-based CFD simulations to evaluate propeller performance in open water conditions.
- Perform auto-propulsion computations to assess hull–propeller interactions.
Post-process simulation data to extract Kt, Kq, 1 – t, and 1 – w parameters. - Validate simulation outputs against benchmark data or literature.
Research & Innovation
- Investigate best practices for propeller meshing, turbulence models, and boundary conditions.
- Explore optimization or parametric studies to improve propeller performance prediction.
- Stay updated with the latest advances in CFD methodologies for marine propulsors.
Collaboration & Integration
- Work with domain experts, applied scientists, and software engineers to integrate hydrodynamic findings into Syroco’s simulation platforms.
- Contribute to discussions on modeling priorities and workflow improvements.
Qualifications and Experience
- MSc or final-year engineering student in Naval Architecture, Fluid Mechanics, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
- Knowledge of CFD methods (preferably RANS) and marine hydrodynamics.
- Experience with CFD tools (e.g., FineMarine, OpenFOAM, STAR-CCM+, Fluent) and post-processing.
- Solid understanding of numerical methods and basic programming (Python preferred).
- Familiarity with ship–propeller interactions and performance analysis is a plus.
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work collaboratively.
- Good communication skills in English (written and spoken).
What We Offer
- A hands-on internship with direct impact on the maritime energy transition.
- Mentorship from experienced naval and CFD engineers.
- A collaborative work environment close to the Vieux Port of Marseille, with exposure to cutting-edge CFD workflows.
- Opportunity to develop expertise in applied hydrodynamics and advanced simulation techniques.