Andre Woodard
@andrewoodard
Aerospace and propulsion engineer delivering validated models for thermal systems.
United StatesWhat I'm looking for
I’m an aerospace and propulsion engineer who thrives at the intersection of modeling and validation. In my most recent role as a Steam Engine Lead at JTEC Energy, I developed a system-level 1D thermal-hydraulic flow-channel model using influence-coefficient methods to characterize flow distribution and closure behavior under steam-H2 flow conditions.
I also lead work that strengthens both fidelity and applicability. As a Reactor Lead, I adapted closure models to capture metal hydride equilibrium as a function of pressure, temperature, and charge state, and used leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV) to benchmark competing models against empirical data; I then extended core physics by authoring a custom Ansys Fluent UDF to couple 3D mass and heat transfer into the reactor geometry.
Before that, I built strong foundations through hands-on engineering and automated testing. As a Test Engineer, I established acceptance test procedures, designed fixtures for reliable hydrogen sealing, and created vacuum plumbing networks for integral campaigns; earlier, I served as a Propulsion Engineer II and a Graduate Research Assistant, driving requirements and numerical optimization in Python, performing high-pressure (305 atm) qualification testing, and delivering wind tunnel automation and Schlieren-based post-processing using MATLAB and LabVIEW.
Experience
Work history, roles, and key accomplishments
Steam Engine Lead
JTEC Energy, Inc.
Feb 2025 - May 2026 (1 year 3 months)
Developed a system-level 1D thermal-hydraulic flow-channel model to characterize flow distribution and closure behavior under steam–H2 conditions. Led experimental test campaigns on full-scale stacks to benchmark and qualify model predictions.
Reactor Lead
JTEC Energy, Inc.
Apr 2022 - Feb 2025 (2 years 10 months)
Adapted closure models to characterize metal hydride equilibrium behavior and used leave-one-out cross-validation to benchmark competing models. Built and extended a system-level transient thermal-hydraulic/thermochemical modeling framework and coupled additional physics via an Ansys Fluent custom UDF.
Test Engineer
JTEC Energy, Inc.
Jun 2021 - Apr 2022 (10 months)
Established acceptance test procedures and improved traceability and configuration control across the production-to-demonstration pipeline. Designed test fixtures and a vacuum plumbing network to support hydrogen sealing and integral demonstration unit test campaigns.
Propulsion Engineer II
Generation Orbit Launch Services, Inc.
Sep 2020 - Jun 2021 (9 months)
Performed system-level mass flow sizing and requirements definition for a green monopropellant thruster to guide downstream design. Developed a Python Method of Characteristics algorithm for nozzle geometry optimization and supported acceptance testing, including high-pressure qualification on flight-critical hardware.
Graduate Research Assistant
Propulsion & Energy Research Laboratory
Jan 2019 - Jul 2020 (1 year 6 months)
Led the design and build of a supersonic wind tunnel test facility to generate benchmark data for ESD behavior on reentry vehicle surfaces. Developed MATLAB post-processing for Schlieren imagery and implemented a LabVIEW-based automated test facility control system with sensor feedback and closed-loop actuation.
Education
Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework
University of Central Florida
Master of Science, Aerospace Engineering
Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering (Aerothermal Fluid Engine Design) completed in July 2020.
University of Central Florida
Bachelor of Science, Aerospace Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering completed in December 2018.
Availability
Location
United StatesAuthorized to work in
Job categories
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