ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Cfd Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Altus LLC

CFD Propulsion Research Engineer

Aberdeen, MD · On-site

$100K - $200K/yr

CFD Propulsion Research Engineer Company: Altus Engineering Location: Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD Salary: $100,000-$200,000 Position Overview: Altus Engineering is currently seeking a Computational ...

Colonial Staffing Group

CFD Analyst

Winston Salem, NC · On-site

$44 - $47/wk

Up to $47/hr and time and a half for overtime hours Education & Experience - Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering. - 2 + years of experience in CFD. - Experience in automotive ...

Colonial Staffing Group

CFD Analyst

High Point, NC · On-site

$47/hr

... Engineering. - 2+ years of experience in CFD. - Experience in automotive cooling airflow, thermal management and aerodynamics is considered a plus. - Strong background in fundamentals of fluid ...

PhysicsX

Senior CFD Engineer - Turbomachinery

New York, NY · On-site

$110K - $149K/yr

Who We're Looking For As a Senior CFD Engineer with deep expertise in Turbomachinery, you are a problem solver and a builder, who is passionate about creating practical solutions that enable ...

PhysicsX

Principal CFD Engineer

New York, NY · On-site

You're confident setting up CFD simulations independently, interpreting complex results with depth, and making informed decisions based on solid engineering judgement. Note: Due to the nature of our ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsCfd Engineer Jobs

Cfd Engineer information

See salary details

$11K

$93K

$132K

How much do cfd engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for cfd engineer in the United States is $93,015.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $85,500.00 and $110,000.00 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 often requires proficiency with simulation software like ANSYS or OpenFOAM and a strong background in fluid mechanics and programming. Job growth is driven by increasing reliance on simulation for cost-effective and efficient engineering solutions.

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 is a CFD engineer?

A CFD engineer specializes in using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software to simulate and analyze fluid flow, heat transfer, and related physical phenomena. They typically work with tools like ANSYS or OpenFOAM and require strong skills in physics, mathematics, and programming to optimize designs and solve engineering problems.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Highly experienced engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or certain senior software engineering roles can earn $500,000 or more annually, often including bonuses and stock options. These positions typically require advanced skills, extensive experience, and often involve leadership or executive responsibilities.

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.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership roles. High compensation often involves working in high-demand industries, holding managerial positions, or possessing rare expertise and certifications.
More about Cfd Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Cfd Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Cfd Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Cfd Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Cfd Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Cfd Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Cfd Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Cfd Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Cfd Engineer jobs are:
What are popular job titles related to Cfd Engineer jobs? For Cfd Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Cfd Engineer jobs near you
CFD Propulsion Research Engineer

CFD Propulsion Research Engineer

Altus LLC

Aberdeen, MD • On-site

$100K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

Job Title: CFD Propulsion Research Engineer
Company: Altus Engineering
Location: Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD
Salary: $100,000-$200,000
Position Overview: Altus Engineering is currently seeking a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Propulsion Research Engineer to support modeling, simulation, and analysis of propulsion systems including gun, rocket, and air-breathing technologies.
About Us: Founded in 2003, Altus Engineering is a Maryland-based small business providing professional engineering services to the Department of Defense and industry customers. These include high-quality software development services, system modeling and simulation, scientific research, and performing engineering analysis of combat systems and personnel vulnerabilities. We pride ourselves on providing outstanding professional and technical services through building and empowering teams that will continue to grow with us.
Key Responsibilities:
• Conduct high-fidelity, multiphase, reactive flow CFD modeling and simulation to evaluate combustion behavior and propulsion dynamics for gun, rocket, and air-breathing systems.
• Perform analysis of simulation results to develop insights into the physics governing propulsion and combustion processes.
• Develop and apply modeling and simulation techniques to investigate novel propulsion systems and subsystems.
• Identify and recommend improvements to combustion and propulsion system performance based on analytical findings.
• Develop and simulate CFD models of propulsion systems and subsystems to support post-processing and engineering analysis.
• Create numerical tools to support rapid trade studies and evaluation of prototype propulsion and combustion systems.
• Use modeling and simulation to diagnose non-intuitive or unexpected experimental results.
• Conduct simulations at government facilities, contractor sites, and academic institutions as required.
• Apply principles of combustion, fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and continuum mechanics to complex engineering problems.
• Prepare and present technical reports, briefings, and documentation in Government-required formats.
• Present findings to Government stakeholders, research institutions, and other technical audiences as required.
Qualifications/Desired Skills:
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline with 4+ years of relevant experience, OR
• Master's degree with 2+ years of relevant experience, OR
• PhD in a relevant discipline with 0+ years of experience.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a SECRET Security Clearance
• Experience conducting basic and applied research related to propulsion systems and combustion processes.
• Experience developing, running, and analyzing CFD simulations for gun, rocket, and/or air-breathing propulsion systems.
• Proficiency with CFD tools such as ANSYS Fluent or similar software packages.
• Experience with data analysis and engineering tools such as MATLAB, Python, or similar.
• Knowledge of combustion, fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, continuum mechanics, and numerical modeling techniques.
• Experience documenting analytical methods, simulation procedures, and technical results.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and technical communication skills.
What We Offer:
• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance
If you're driven by intellectually stimulating work, enjoy collaborating with talented peers, and thrive in a high-performing environment, then Altus may be for you!

Apply