ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Cfd Modeling Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Inversion

Staff Aerothermal CFD Engineer

Vista, CA · On-site

$161K - $221K/yr

This role will be a key contributor to Inversion's advanced modeling efforts, and responsible for developing, improving, and implementing cutting-edge CFD tools and workflows. On a day-to-day basis ...

Bloom Energy

Principal Engineer - CFD/Thermal

San Jose, CA · On-site

$176K - $253K/yr

Expand CFD capabilities with new model developments and model improvements. Skills and Experience: * MS or PhD in Mechanical/Aerospace engineering. * Deep understanding of the fundamentals of Fluid ...

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsCfd Modeling JobsCfd Modeling Jobs in California

Cfd Modeling information

See California salary details

$10.9K

$91.8K

$130.3K

How much do cfd modeling jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for cfd modeling in California is $91,796.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $84,400.00 and $108,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a CFD modeling?

A CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) Modeling job involves using numerical methods and algorithms to analyze fluid flow, heat transfer, and related physical phenomena. Professionals in this role use specialized software to simulate and optimize designs in industries such as aerospace, automotive, energy, and manufacturing. They work with engineers to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and solve complex fluid dynamics problems. Strong skills in mathematics, physics, and programming are essential for success in this field.

What are the typical projects and team dynamics like for CFD modeling professionals?

CFD Modeling professionals typically work on projects ranging from optimizing industrial equipment and automotive designs to improving HVAC systems and analyzing aerodynamic performance. Teams are often multidisciplinary, including mechanical engineers, design specialists, and project managers, with ongoing collaboration required to ensure that simulation results inform effective design decisions. Daily tasks involve setting up simulations, interpreting data, preparing reports, and presenting findings to stakeholders. These roles offer strong opportunities for career advancement into senior engineering, project leadership, or specialized research positions as expertise develops.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the CFD modeling position, and why are they important?

To succeed in CFD Modeling, you need a strong background in fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and numerical simulation, often supported by a degree in engineering or applied sciences. Familiarity with specialized CFD software such as ANSYS Fluent, OpenFOAM, or COMSOL Multiphysics, along with experience in programming languages like Python or MATLAB, is highly valuable. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills distinguish exceptional candidates. These competencies are crucial for accurately simulating complex physical phenomena, interpreting results, and collaborating on multidisciplinary engineering projects.

How to get a job in CFD modeling?

To get a job in CFD modeling, candidates typically need a strong background in fluid dynamics, engineering, or physics, along with proficiency in CFD software such as ANSYS Fluent or OpenFOAM. Relevant skills include numerical analysis, programming (e.g., Python, C++), and a relevant degree or certification. Gaining practical experience through internships or projects can improve employability in this specialized field.

Is CFD modeling in demand?

CFD modeling is in high demand across industries such as aerospace, automotive, energy, and manufacturing, where it is used for designing and optimizing products. Professionals with skills in computational fluid dynamics, simulation software, and programming are sought after as companies increasingly rely on digital modeling to reduce costs and improve performance.

What are the most commonly searched types of Cfd Modeling jobs in California?

The most popular types of Cfd Modeling jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Cfd Modeling jobs in California?

For Cfd Modeling jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Cfd Modeling jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Cfd Modeling jobs in California are:

Cfd Modeling jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cfd Modeling job openings in California as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Internship, 91% Full Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 94% In-person, 3% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $91,796 per year, or $44.1 per hour.

Maritime Hydrodynamics CFD Engineer

San Francisco, CA • On-site

UniversalAGI
See more jobs at UniversalAGIexternal

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

San Francisco | 5 Days Onsite
Location: Onsite in San Francisco
Compensation: Competitive Salary + Equity
Who We Are
UniversalAGI is building OpenAI for Physics. AI startup based in San Francisco and backed by Elad Gil (#1 Solo VC), Eric Schmidt (former Google CEO), Prith Banerjee (ANSYS CTO), Ion Stoica (Databricks Founder), Jared Kushner (former Senior Advisor to the President), David Patterson (Turing Award Winner), and Luis Videgaray (former Foreign and Finance Minister of Mexico). We're building foundation AI models for physics that enable end-to-end industrial automation from initial design through optimization, validation, and production.
We're building a high-velocity team of relentless researchers and engineers that will define the next generation of AI for industrial engineering. If you're passionate about AI, physics, or the future of industrial innovation, we want to hear from you.
About the Role
As a Maritime Hydrodynamics CFD Engineer, you'll be in the arena from day one, building the future of AI for physics simulation with your own hands. This is your chance to take everything you've learned in ship hydrodynamics and marine engineering and use it to build foundation AI models that will transform how the entire industry works.
You'll work directly with the CEO and founding team to shape our product around the real pain points you've faced in your career: the complex hull form optimization, the challenging free surface modeling, the tedious seakeeping analyses, the endless resistance and propulsion studies.
What You'll Do
  • Design, preprocess, mesh, simulate, and post-process hydrodynamics for maritime hull designs at unprecedented scale and speed
  • Come up with creative ways to design, mesh, and simulate hundreds or thousands of hull geometries systematically, building the data pipelines that will train our foundation models
  • Guide the development of our product and our revolutionary new AI models for physics by working directly on research problems with our AI team, bridging the gap between traditional CFD and cutting-edge ML
  • Work directly with clients to solve their problems and define benchmark datasets, validation criteria, and workflows that prove our models can match or exceed traditional simulation accuracy
  • Generate high-quality simulation data at scale, every simulation you run directly improves our foundation models
  • Advise the AI research team on the nuances that matter: free surface modeling (VOF, level-set), wave dynamics, resistance components (viscous, wave-making, form), appendage effects, propeller-hull interaction, seakeeping, maneuvering, multiphase flow considerations
  • Lead technical customer conversations with customers and internal teams,translating between the world of marine CFD and the world of AI

This is a role for someone who's ready to solve some of humanity's hardest problems, push past the limitations of traditional CFD, and build something that will define the next generation of industrial engineering.
Qualifications
  • 3+ years of industry hands-on experience in hydrodynamics CFD simulation in maritime industries. Including preprocessing, simulation, post-processing, and design.
  • Expert in solver frameworks (STAR-CCM+, FINE/Marine, OpenFOAM, ORCA, or similar).
  • Deep understanding of ship hydrodynamics, hull form design, free surface flows, meshing strategies, boundary conditions, and numerical methods.
  • Solid understanding on parameterizing CAD to generate different variants of geometry
  • Strong communicator capable of bridging customers, engineering and research teams.
  • Outstanding execution velocity and delivery.
  • Exceptional creativity, problem-solving ability, ambition, and attention to detail.
  • Comfortable working in high-intensity, fast-paced startup environments with evolving priorities and tight deadlines.
Bonus Qualifications
  • Prior experience integrating AI/ML models into simulation pipelines.
  • Industry experience in CFD simulation in aerospace or domains outside maritime.
  • Industry experience in maritime for related disciplines:seakeeping, maneuvering simulations, propeller design, cavitation analysis, structural hydrodynamics, offshore structures, autonomous surface vessels.
  • Familiarity with naval architecture workflows and tools used by companies like Saronic and other maritime defense/autonomy companies.
  • Experience at high-growth AI startups (Seed to Series C).
  • Forward deployed experience.
Cultural Fit
  • Technical Respect: Ability to earn respect through hands-on technical contribution
  • Intensity: Thrives in our unusually intense culture - willing to grind when needed
  • Customer Obsession: Passionate about solving real customer problems, not just cool tech
  • Deep Work: Values long, uninterrupted periods of focused work over meetings
  • High Availability: Ready to be deeply involved whenever critical issues arise
  • Communication: Can translate complex technical concepts to customers and team
  • Growth Mindset: Embraces the compounding returns of intelligence and continuous learning
  • Startup Mindset: Comfortable with ambiguity, rapid change, and wearing multiple hats
  • Work Ethic: Willing to put in the extra hours when needed to hit critical milestones
  • Team Player: Collaborative approach with low ego and high accountability
What We Offer
  • Opportunity to shape the technical foundation of a rapidly growing foundational AI company.
  • Work on cutting-edge industrial AI problems with immediate real-world impact.
  • Direct collaboration with the founder & CEO and ability to influence company strategy
  • Competitive compensation with significant equity upside.
  • In-person first culture - 5 days a week in office with a team that values face-to-face collaboration.
  • Access to world-class investors and advisors in the AI space.
Benefits
We provide great benefits, including:
  • Competitive compensation and equity.
  • Competitive health, dental, vision benefits paid by the company.
  • 401(k) plan offering.
  • Flexible vacation.
  • Team Building & Fun Activities.
  • Great scope, ownership and impact.
  • AI tools stipend.
  • Monthly commute stipend.
  • Monthly wellness/fitness stipend.
  • Daily office lunch & dinner covered by the company.
  • Immigration support.

How We're Different
"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again... who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly." - Teddy Roosevelt
At our core, we believe in being "in the arena." We are builders, problem solvers, and risk-takers who show up every day ready to put in the work: to sweat, to struggle, and to push past our limits. We know that real progress comes with missteps, iteration, and resilience. We embrace that journey fully knowing that daring greatly is the only way to create something truly meaningful.
If you're ready to join the future of physics simulation, push creative boundaries, and deliver impact, UniversalAGI is the place for you.

Apply