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Cfd Analyst Jobs (NOW HIRING)

This role focuses on thermal and underhood CFD analysis , contributing to the development and optimization of vehicle performance. The ideal candidate will have strong hands-on experience with ...

Extensive experience performing CFD analysis, CFD modeling and turbulent/laminar flows * Structural mechanical engineering background * Exp working with finite element computer codes is A PLUS!

Analyze, review, and prepare results reports and simulations to validate designs * Utilize data center specific CFD software tools like 6SigmaRoom by Future Facilities / Cadence Reality DC, or Tile ...

Analyze, review, and prepare results reports and simulations to validate designs * Utilize data center specific CFD software tools like 6SigmaRoom by Future Facilities / Cadence Reality DC, or Tile ...

CFD Team Lead

$126K - $167K/yr

This role requires sufficient technical fluency in CFD and data center cooling analysis to guide scope, evaluate deliverable quality, and represent the team credibly with clients and leadership ...

About the role We are seeking a skilled CFD Analyst / Thermal-Fluid Engineer to perform high-fidelity thermal-fluid simulations supporting nuclear and energy-related applications. This role focuses ...

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CFD Analyst information

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$35.5K

$99.2K

$127K

How much do cfd analyst jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for cfd analyst in the United States is $99,157.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,000.00 and $126,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by CFD analysts when working on complex simulation projects?

CFD Analysts often encounter challenges such as ensuring mesh quality, managing computational costs, and interpreting large datasets from simulations. Collaborating closely with design engineers and project managers is essential to align simulation parameters with real-world constraints and project goals. Staying updated with evolving software tools and maintaining accuracy while meeting tight project deadlines are also typical hurdles. Effective communication and problem-solving skills are key to overcoming these challenges and delivering actionable insights.

What is the difference between Cfd Analyst vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectCfd AnalystMechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related fields; certifications in CFD softwareBachelor's or higher in Mechanical Engineering; professional engineering license often preferred
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, engineering firms, aerospace or automotive industriesManufacturing plants, design offices, R&D departments
Industry UsagePrimarily in aerospace, automotive, energy sectors for fluid dynamics analysisBroadly in manufacturing, product design, HVAC, automotive

Both roles require a strong background in engineering principles and CFD software. A Cfd Analyst specializes in fluid dynamics simulations, while a Mechanical Engineer has a broader scope including design, manufacturing, and systems integration. The choice depends on your focus—specialized CFD analysis or general mechanical design and development.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a CFD analyst?

To thrive as a CFD Analyst, you need a strong background in fluid dynamics, numerical methods, and engineering principles, usually supported by a degree in mechanical, aerospace, or chemical engineering. Proficiency in CFD software like ANSYS Fluent, OpenFOAM, and experience with programming languages such as Python or MATLAB are typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and effective communication are vital soft skills for interpreting complex data and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. These skills and qualities are important to ensure accurate simulations, insightful analyses, and actionable recommendations for engineering projects.

What does a CFD analyst do?

A CFD Analyst, or Computational Fluid Dynamics Analyst, uses specialized software to simulate and analyze fluid flows and heat transfer in various systems. They help design and optimize products such as aircraft, cars, and HVAC systems by predicting how fluids (like air or water) will behave under different conditions. Their work involves setting up simulations, analyzing results, and collaborating with engineers to improve performance and efficiency. CFD Analysts play a crucial role in industries like aerospace, automotive, and energy by reducing the need for costly physical prototypes.
More about CFD Analyst jobs
What cities are hiring for Cfd Analyst jobs? Cities with the most Cfd Analyst job openings:
What states have the most Cfd Analyst jobs? States with the most job openings for Cfd Analyst jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Cfd Analyst jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Cfd Analyst jobs are:
Infographic showing various Cfd Analyst job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 80% Physical, 8% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $99,157 per year, or $47.7 per hour.

Staff CFD Analysis Engineer

Valar Atomics

Torrance, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, PTO

Posted 10 days ago


Job description

About Valar Atomics
At Valar Atomics, we're redefining what's possible in energy. Our mission is to make clean, high-temperature nuclear power scalable-unlocking abundant energy for industry, hydrogen, and next-generation manufacturing. We are a team of builders, engineers, and operators who believe nuclear energy should be fast to deploy, factory-made, and built for the real world. Our first pilot plant in Orangeville, Utah will demonstrate how advanced nuclear systems and fuel fabrication can power the future. Joining Valar Atomics means becoming part of a company where autonomy, ownership, and impact exist at every level.
The Team
As part of the Engineering organization, Models & Simulations develops advanced analytical models that support engineering design, performance prediction, and system optimization. The team enables informed decision-making through computational analysis and simulation.
The Role
The Senior CFD Analysis Engineer owns delivery of analysis and synthesis of results in the computational fluid dynamics workstream for reactor internals and balance-of-plant systems. The Senior CFD Analysis Engineer leads the development and execution of high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics and thermal-hydraulic simulations that underpin the safety, performance and licensing of our advanced reactor systems. Working within the Modelling & Simulation (ModSim) Engineering Group, the role takes ownership of complex flow and heat-transfer problems - from core-inlet and lower-plenum mixing, fuel-assembly thermal-hydraulics and hot-channel analysis through to passive decay-heat removal and containment behavior. The engineer translates physical problems into defensible Ansys Fluent models, establishes the verification and validation (V&V) basis for those models under nuclear quality requirements, mentors junior analysts, and interprets results into engineering conclusions that designers, safety analysts and regulators can rely on.
Key Responsibilities
  • Plan and perform high-fidelity CFD and conjugate-heat-transfer analyses in Ansys Fluent for reactor thermal-hydraulics, including geometry preparation, meshing strategy, turbulence-model selection, solver set-up, and convergence assessment.
  • Establish and document the verification and validation basis for CFD work in accordance with ASME V&V 20, including mesh-convergence (GCI) studies and benchmarking against separate-effects and integral-effects test data.
  • Provide and receive boundary conditions across streams - supplying heat-transfer and loss coefficients to the Thermal-Fluid (Flownex) stream, exchanging power/heat-source distributions with Neutronics, and handing thermal/pressure loads to FEA for thermal-stress evaluation.
  • Lead technical problem definition, perform independent review/checking of analyses, and produce analysis reports and calculation packages that satisfy NQA-1 / 10 CFR 50 Appendix B documentation and traceability expectations.
  • Interface with the thermal-fluid systems (Flownex), structural (FEA), and neutronics teams to build coupled and hand-off multiphysics workflows (e.g., CFD-derived heat-transfer coefficients and thermal maps into structural and systems models).
  • Lead technical reviews, set CFD modelling standards and best practices, and mentor mid-level and junior analysts; support regulator and customer technical interactions.
  • Develop and standardize CFD methods, templates and best practices, and support the Stream Lead in scoping, estimating and scheduling CFD work across projects.

Basic Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree (or higher) in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Nuclear Engineering, or a closely related field.
  • 8+ years of professional, production-grade CFD analysis experience.

Preferred Skills and Experience
  • Master's degree (or higher) in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Nuclear Engineering, or a closely related field.
  • Strong grounding in turbulence modeling (RANS k-ε / k-ω SST and scale-resolving LES/DES), conjugate heat transfer, multiphase and species transport.
  • Master's degree (or higher) in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Nuclear Engineering, or a closely related field.
  • Demonstrated V&V practice (ASME V&V 20, GCI, validation against test data) and uncertainty quantification.
  • Experience operating under a nuclear or other regulated quality program (ASME NQA-1, ISO 9001, 10 CFR 50 Appendix B) and exposure to NRC / ASME regulatory environments.
  • Reactor thermal-hydraulics domain knowledge (natural circulation, passive cooling, coolant behavior for helium, molten salt or liquid metal) is a strong advantage.
  • Scripting/automation (Python, journaling, UDFs) and HPC workflow experience; track record of mentoring and leading technical analysis within a team.
  • Working knowledge of coupling CFD with systems codes and structural FEA; exposure to advanced-reactor thermal-hydraulics (HTGR, SFR, MSR, micro-reactors) is a plus.
  • Track record of mentoring and leading technical systems analysis within a team.

What We Offer
  • Competitive base salary
  • Equity ownership in a rapidly growing advanced energy company
  • Comprehensive medical benefits
  • Unlimited PTO
  • Free daily lunch and dinner provided onsite
  • Generous PPE stipend
  • High-impact startup environment with significant ownership and autonomy
  • Opportunities for rapid career growth and internal advancement
  • Direct collaboration with experienced operators, engineers, and industry leaders
  • The opportunity to help build and scale transformative energy technology from the ground up

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Valar Atomics is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law.
We are committed to providing a workplace free of discrimination and harassment and will provide reasonable accommodation as required by law.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States as a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (green card holder).
Salary
$180,000-$220,000 USD