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Cfd Engineer Jobs in Houston, TX (NOW HIRING)

As NASA's largest engineering solutions provider working together with NASA at centers across the ... Experience with a NASA Aerothermal CFD solver (DPLR, LAURA, LociCHEM, US3D, HyperSolve, FUN3D)

Mechanical Engineer II (CFD)

Houston, TX · On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

Meade has a job opportunity for an entry-to-mid level Mechanical Engineer II with experience in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to be an integral member of our design team. The scope of projects ...

The Aerothermal Engineer will: Apply knowledge of high-speed Earth entry aerothermodynamics to ... Create CFD grids utilizing grid generation software. Create CFD visualizations. Analyze and ...

Hydraulic Engineer

Houston, TX

$77K - $101K/yr

This role integrates AI-assisted CFD, pump performance prediction, and hydraulic design optimization tools as standard engineering practice and operates with extreme ownership over all assigned ...

Hydraulic Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$77K - $101K/yr

This role integrates AI-assisted CFD, pump performance prediction, and hydraulic design optimization tools as standard engineering practice and operates with extreme ownership over all assigned ...

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Showing results 1-20

Cfd Engineer information

See Houston, TX salary details

$10.5K

$88.8K

$126.1K

How much do cfd engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for cfd engineer in Houston, TX is $88,826.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,600.00 and $105,000.00 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.

Are CFD engineers in demand?

CFD engineers are in demand in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and energy, where computational fluid dynamics simulations are essential for product design and optimization. The role requires strong skills in fluid mechanics, programming, and simulation software like ANSYS or OpenFOAM, and employment prospects are generally stable due to ongoing technological advancements and engineering needs.

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 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.

What are the most commonly searched types of Cfd Engineer jobs in Houston, TX?

The most popular types of Cfd Engineer jobs in Houston, TX are:

What cities near Houston, TX are hiring for Cfd Engineer jobs?

Cities near Houston, TX with the most Cfd Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Cfd Engineer job openings in Houston, TX as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $88,826 per year, or $42.7 per hour.

CFD & Aerodynamic Engineer (AI Training & Evaluation)

Lifted, an Upwork Company™

Houston, TX • Remote

$80 - $110/hr

Contractor

Posted 16 days ago


Job description

Company Description

An enterprise client is seeking CFD & Aerodynamic Engineers to help train and evaluate next-generation AI systems by contributing real-world engineering expertise.

This opportunity is offered by a leading AI data platform that enables organizations to build intelligent applications powered by high-quality human expertise.

    Job Description

    This opportunity is ideal for experienced CFD and Aerodynamics Engineers who enjoy solving complex engineering problems and want to contribute their expertise to the development of advanced AI systems.

    What You'll Do:

    • Design compact, self-contained CFD and aerodynamics tasks that evaluate AI models' engineering reasoning.
    • Create clear and technically accurate problem statements covering topics such as boundary conditions, mesh quality, flow regimes, and simulation setup.
    • Develop deterministic scoring checkers that objectively evaluate AI-generated responses.
    • Produce verified reference solutions to ensure each task is technically accurate and fully solvable.
    • Review and refine engineering tasks to improve clarity, physical accuracy, and appropriate difficulty.
    • Apply real-world experience with OpenFOAM to develop practical and realistic engineering scenarios.
    • Work independently in a fully remote, asynchronous environment with complete scheduling flexibility.
    Qualifications

    Requirements:

    • Bachelor's degree (or higher) in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
    • Hands-on experience using OpenFOAM for computational fluid dynamics simulations.
    • Strong foundation in fluid mechanics, aerodynamics, and heat transfer principles.
    • Experience with:
      • Mesh generation
      • Turbulence modeling
      • Boundary condition specification
      • Post-processing and simulation analysis
    • Ability to write clear, precise, and objectively verifiable engineering problems.
    • Excellent written English communication skills with the ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly.
    • Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and able to work independently with minimal supervision.

    Nice to Haves:

    • Experience working on aerospace, automotive, motorsports, renewable energy, or industrial CFD applications.
    • Familiarity with advanced CFD validation and verification techniques.
    • Experience reviewing technical documentation or engineering research.
    • Previous experience contributing to AI, simulation, or data annotation projects.
    Additional Information
    • Fully remote, independent contractor opportunity.
    • Flexible schedule with an expected workload of 10-39 hours per week, depending on project demand.
    • Compensation ranges from $80-$110 USD per hour, based on qualifications and experience.
    • Payments are issued weekly for completed work from the previous week.
    • If selected, you will receive an Upwork contract offer along with onboarding instructions for the client's task platform.
    • To be considered, candidates must:
      • Submit an Upwork proposal.
      • Complete the required Google Form.
      • Accept the Upwork contract to receive onboarding instructions, assessment access, and project payments.
    • Due to the high volume of applicants, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.