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Cfd Engineer Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

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Process Engineer III

Chaska, MN

$78K - $110K/yr

Experience with plasma simulation tools (e.g., COMSOL Multiphysics, VSim, CFD-ACE+, ANSYS, or ... Programming experience in Python, MATLAB, or similar scientific computing languages for data ...

TEL

Process Engineer III

Chaska, MN · On-site

$78K - $110K/yr

Experience with plasma simulation tools (e.g., COMSOL Multiphysics, VSim, CFD-ACE+, ANSYS, or ... Programming experience in Python, MATLAB, or similar scientific computing languages for data ...

Donaldson Company, Inc.

Product Engineer II

Bloomington, MN · On-site +1

$71K - $91K/yr

In the Product Engineer II role, you will participate and contribute in the development and/or ... Fluid mechanics or CFD experience * Lean six-sigma experience Annual Salary Range : $71,900 - $91 ...

NORTH WIND SYSTEMS LLC

Aero/Thermal Engineer

Saint Paul, MN · On-site

$80K - $130K/yr

The Engineer will work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure that projects are completed ... Understanding of wind tunnel low to supersonic airflows, heat exchanger, combustion, CFD, hot wire ...

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All JobsCfd Engineer JobsCfd Engineer Jobs in Minnesota

Cfd Engineer information

See Minnesota salary details

$10.8K

$91.1K

$129.3K

How much do cfd engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for cfd engineer in Minnesota is $91,100.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,700.00 and $107,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Cfd Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectCfd EngineerMechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related fields; proficiency in CFD softwareBachelor's in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering; often includes CFD knowledge
Work EnvironmentDesign firms, aerospace, automotive, energy sectors; focus on fluid dynamics simulationsManufacturing, product design, HVAC; broader engineering tasks including mechanics and thermodynamics
Industry UsagePrimarily in industries requiring fluid flow analysisWider industry application including structural and thermal systems

While both roles require a background in mechanical engineering and CFD software, Cfd Engineers specialize in fluid dynamics simulations, whereas Mechanical Engineers have a broader scope including mechanics, thermodynamics, and design. Cfd Engineers focus more on computational analysis, while Mechanical Engineers may handle a wider range of engineering tasks.

What Is a CFD Engineer?

As a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) engineer, your responsibilities are to use CFD formulas to predict fluid flows and heat transfers. You use software applications such as OpenFOAM or Gerris to compute the finite element method and the finite volume method, which use partial differential equations to create two- or three-dimensional models and simulations. Your job duties include analyzing problems, building models, and proposing solutions. Your experience makes you a valuable part of research and development teams in the mechanical and chemical engineering industries as well as the automobile, aerospace, and aeronautical industries.

What are CFD Engineers?

CFD Engineers are professionals who specialize in Computational Fluid Dynamics, a field that uses numerical analysis and algorithms to solve and analyze problems involving fluid flows. They use specialized software to simulate how liquids and gases behave under various conditions, which helps in designing and optimizing products like aircraft, cars, and HVAC systems. CFD Engineers typically have a background in engineering, physics, or mathematics and work in industries such as aerospace, automotive, energy, and manufacturing. Their work is essential for improving performance, safety, and efficiency in systems involving fluid movement.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a CFD Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a CFD Engineer, you need a strong background in fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and numerical methods, usually supported by a degree in mechanical, aerospace, or chemical engineering. Expertise in CFD software such as ANSYS Fluent, OpenFOAM, or STAR-CCM+, along with programming skills in Python or MATLAB, is typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving ability, and clear communication help you interpret complex data and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. These skills are crucial for delivering accurate simulations, optimizing designs, and supporting engineering decisions in industries where fluid behavior is critical.

What are some common challenges CFD Engineers face when working on complex simulation projects?

CFD Engineers often encounter challenges related to balancing simulation accuracy with computational resources and time constraints. Handling large and intricate geometries can lead to long computation times and may require advanced meshing strategies or high-performance computing. Additionally, accurately modeling boundary conditions and physical phenomena, especially in multiphase or turbulent flows, demands a deep understanding of fluid dynamics and software capabilities. Effective collaboration with design, testing, and product teams is also crucial to validate simulation results and implement practical solutions.
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What are popular job titles related to Cfd Engineer jobs in MN? For Cfd Engineer jobs in MN, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Cfd Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cfd Engineer job openings in Minnesota as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 73% Full Time, 3% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 23% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $91,100 per year, or $43.8 per hour.
Principal CFD Engineer - Hydrodynamic Systems

Principal CFD Engineer - Hydrodynamic Systems

Verterra Energy

New Brighton, MN

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 22 days ago

Job description

Role Overview

You will lead computational fluid dynamics modeling efforts for Verterra's turbine systems and related platforms.

You will define modeling strategy, boundary conditions, mesh approach, turbulence models, and validation methods. You will work directly with mechanical and test engineers to ensure CFD results inform blade geometry, structural loads, fatigue expectations, and overall system efficiency.

We are open to full-time, part-time, or 1099 arrangements for the right subject matter expert.

Core Responsibilities

Hydrodynamic Modeling

  • Develop and execute 3D CFD models of rotating turbine systems in open-water environments
  • Model turbulent, unsteady, and cyclic flow conditions
  • Support blade and housing geometry optimization
  • Evaluate flow separation, wake behavior, cavitation risk, and efficiency tradeoffs

Modeling Strategy & Validation

  • Define appropriate turbulence models and simulation fidelity
  • Develop mesh strategies for rotating machinery and complex geometries
  • Establish convergence and validation criteria
  • Correlate CFD outputs with experimental data from flume and field testing
  • Identify when simulation assumptions break down

Load & System Integration

  • Extract pressure and force distributions for structural loading analysis
  • Support fatigue and cyclic loading estimation
  • Work cross-functionally with structural and mechanical engineers
  • Translate fluid results into manufacturable design recommendations

Environmental & Operational Conditions

  • Model debris interaction scenarios and flow disturbance cases
  • Evaluate performance in variable flow velocities
  • Understand long-term exposure considerations in real water systems

Documentation & Decision Support

  • Present results in clear, engineering-driven formats
  • Identify design tradeoffs and uncertainty bands
  • Support design reviews with defensible analysis
  • Document modeling assumptions and limitations

Minimum Qualifications

  • 8+ years of professional CFD experience (12+ for Principal level)
  • Demonstrated experience modeling external fluid flow systems
  • Experience with rotating machinery or turbine systems
  • Deep understanding of turbulence modeling and numerical stability
  • Experience correlating CFD results to physical testing
  • Ability to independently define modeling strategy

Preferred Qualifications

  • Marine, riverine, or open-water flow modeling experience
  • Experience with cavitation prediction
  • Experience modeling debris interaction or multiphase flow
  • Experience supporting hardware programs from early prototype through validation
  • Experience working in small, engineering-driven teams

What Success Looks Like

  • CFD informs geometry decisions early and reduces physical iteration cycles
  • Simulation results correlate closely with flume or field testing
  • Load predictions meaningfully support structural design
  • Design decisions are made based on physics, not aesthetics
  • Modeling assumptions are documented and defensible

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage
  • Company-paid life, disability, and basic protection
  • 401(k) with employer match
  • Unlimited paid time off + 2 weeks sick and safe leave
  • 7 company-paid holidays: New Year's Day (January 1), Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, the Friday after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day
  • Stocked kitchen

Equal opportunity

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