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Computational Engineer Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Mechanical Design Engineer

Knoxville, TN · On-site

$72K - $98K/yr

Engineering Resource Manager Your role in the mission: Type One Energy are seeking an experienced ... Develop and validate Finite Element (FEA) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models using ANSYS ...

Our Cadre5 Lab Partners division has partnered with the National Center for Computational Sciences (NCCS) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to recruit a Kubernetes Platform Engineer for the ...

Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Knoxville, TN · On-site

$85K - $118K/yr

Engineering Resource Manager Your role in the mission: Type One Energy are seeking an experienced ... Develop and validate Finite Element (FEA) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models using ANSYS ...

Full Stack AI Engineer Founded in 1999 in the beautiful Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee, Cadre5 ... Our Cadre5 Lab Partners division has partnered with the National Center for Computational Sciences ...

Our Cadre5 Lab Partners division has partnered with The National Center for Computational Sciences (NCCS) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to recruit a Kubernetes Software Engineer for the HPC ...

Students graduating in 2025 or later with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Biomedical Engineering (with computational focus), or related field * Preference for students ...

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Computational Engineer information

See Tennessee salary details

$44K

$110.3K

$124.8K

How much do computational engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for computational engineer in Tennessee is $110,289.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $101,200.00 and $119,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Computational Engineer, you need a strong background in mathematics, physics, computer science, and engineering principles, typically supported by a relevant degree. Proficiency in programming languages (such as Python, C++, or MATLAB), experience with simulation software (like ANSYS or COMSOL), and familiarity with high-performance computing environments are essential. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help set top performers apart in this field. These skills are crucial for developing accurate models, optimizing complex systems, and effectively collaborating in multidisciplinary teams.

What is a computational engineer?

A computational engineer is a professional who uses advanced computing techniques and mathematical models to solve complex engineering problems. They develop simulations, algorithms, and software to analyze and optimize systems in fields such as aerospace, automotive, civil engineering, and more. Their work often involves programming, data analysis, and applying principles from physics and mathematics to create efficient solutions. Computational engineers bridge the gap between traditional engineering and computer science, enabling innovation through technology.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as software engineering, petroleum engineering, and aerospace engineering can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and working in high-demand industries or leadership roles. Compensation often includes bonuses, stock options, or profit sharing, particularly in technology and energy sectors.

How does a Computational Engineer typically collaborate with multidisciplinary teams on complex projects?

Computational Engineers frequently work alongside professionals from various disciplines such as mechanical engineers, data scientists, and software developers. Effective collaboration often involves translating engineering problems into computational models, communicating technical requirements, and integrating simulation results into broader project workflows. Regular meetings, shared documentation, and collaborative software tools are commonly used to ensure alignment and progress. This team-based approach helps deliver accurate and actionable insights for product design, optimization, or research objectives.

Can a computer engineer make $500,000?

Computer engineers can potentially earn $500,000 or more annually, especially in senior roles, specialized fields like hardware design or cybersecurity, or in high-paying industries such as finance or technology. Achieving this level often requires advanced skills, extensive experience, and sometimes leadership responsibilities or stock options.

What do computational engineers do?

Computational engineers develop and apply mathematical models, algorithms, and simulations to solve complex engineering problems. They often use programming languages and software tools to analyze data, optimize systems, and support design processes across various industries such as aerospace, automotive, and energy.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as software engineering, petroleum engineering, and aerospace engineering can earn $500,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership roles. High compensation often includes bonuses, stock options, or profit sharing, particularly in technology and energy sectors.

What is the difference between Computational Engineer vs Software Engineer?

AspectComputational EngineerSoftware Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, Computer Science, or related fields; knowledge of programming and numerical methodsBachelor's or Master's in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related fields; strong programming skills
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, engineering firms, tech companies; often involves simulation and modelingTech companies, startups, software firms; focuses on application development and system design
Industry UsageEngineering, aerospace, automotive, scientific researchIT, software development, technology services

Computational Engineers and Software Engineers share programming skills and work in tech-related environments. However, Computational Engineers focus more on applying computational methods to engineering problems, simulations, and modeling, while Software Engineers primarily develop software applications and systems. Both roles require strong technical backgrounds but serve different industry needs.

Senior Computational Scientist / Scientific Software Engineer for Cryo-ET Workflow Development

Senior Computational Scientist / Scientific Software Engineer for Cryo-ET Workflow Development

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Memphis, TN • On-site

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago


St. Jude Children's Research Hospital rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 9 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

61st of 1,004 rated hospitals


Job description

The St. Jude Center of Excellence for Structural Cell Biology (CoE-SCB) is seeking an innovative and highly motivated Senior Computational Scientist / Scientific Software Engineer to develop next-generation computational infrastructure for cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET), and structural cell biology workflows.
This position sits at the interface of structural biology, high-performance computing (HPC), machine learning, and scientific software engineering. The successful candidate will work closely with experimental scientists, computational researchers, and HPC engineers to design scalable, automated, and reproducible pipelines that support cryo-ET workflows ranging from data collection and preprocessing to segmentation, subtomogram averaging, and large-scale data analysis.
The role offers the opportunity to help shape the future computational ecosystem of the CoE-SCB and contribute to transformative imaging workflows spanning molecular to cellular structural biology.
Learn more about the CoE-SCB and our research vision at:
https://www.stjude.org/research/centers-of-excellence/center-of-excellence-for-structural-cell-biology.html
Environment
The Center of Excellence for Structural Cell Biology (CoE-SCB) at St. Jude is building advanced multimodal and multiscale imaging workflows integrating cryoEM, cryo-ET, cryo-volume EM, cryo-FIB milling, machine learning, and large-scale computational analysis. The successful candidate will work within a highly collaborative environment alongside world-class scientists, computational engineers, and technology developers to create next-generation platforms for structural cell biology.
The World's Brightest Minds Always Innovate
At St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, we know what can be achieved when the brightest scientific minds face the fewest barriers. That's why we provide world-class facilities, state-of-the-art technologies, extraordinary support, and a collaborative bench-to-bedside environment where you can see firsthand how your work translates into discoveries that impact children's lives. At St. Jude, we encourage you to dream big and stop at nothing when it comes to advancing science and improving human health.
Key Responsibilities
  • Design, develop, and maintain scalable computational pipelines for cryo-ET workflows with a high level of automation and reproducibility.
  • Architect software solutions optimized for local workstations, HPC systems, and cloud-based environments.
  • Refactor existing analysis workflows into modular, maintainable, and reusable software components and libraries.
  • Develop user-friendly APIs and interfaces for data analysis, workflow management, and visualization.
  • Work closely with CoE-SCB scientists, faculty, and HPC engineers to identify computational bottlenecks and implement scalable, high-performance solutions for cryo-ET workflows.
  • Develop and optimize workflows for large-scale cryo-ET datasets, including preprocessing, tomographic reconstruction, segmentation, template matching, subtomogram averaging, and AI/ML-assisted analysis.
  • Evaluate, benchmark, and integrate emerging computational tools and technologies into existing workflows.
  • Implement robust software engineering practices, including version control, testing, profiling, optimization, logging, and error handling.
  • Scale local analysis workflows to distributed HPC and cloud infrastructures while ensuring efficient data handling and storage integration.
  • Assist with software deployment, troubleshooting, and standardization across the CoE-SCB computational ecosystem.
  • Maintain clear and comprehensive code documentation and user documentation.
  • Participate in cross-disciplinary projects involving machine learning, image analysis, visualization, and large-scale structural biology datasets.
  • Contribute to the strategic development of computational infrastructure supporting multimodal and multiscale structural cell biology workflows.

Preferred Skills and Experience
  • Advanced proficiency in Python, Linux, and shell scripting.
  • Strong software engineering and system design experience across local, HPC, and cloud computing environments.
  • Experience developing scientific software pipelines and automation frameworks.
  • Expertise in handling and processing large scientific datasets, including efficient storage, retrieval, and distributed processing strategies.
  • Experience with SQL databases and Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) frameworks.
  • Familiarity with Cryo-EM/Cryo-ET software ecosystems such as RELION, CryoSPARC, Warp, AreTomo, Dynamo, PyTom, EMAN2, SerialEM, Tomography 5, or related tools.
  • Experience with workflow orchestration, containerization, or distributed computing technologies is highly desirable.
  • Experience developing user interfaces and web-based tools using modern web technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) is beneficial.
  • Familiarity with machine learning and AI-based image analysis approaches is desirable.
  • Strong commitment to reproducible research, maintainable codebases, and collaborative software development practices.
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills in multidisciplinary scientific environments.

Job Responsibilities:
  • Lead computationally focused scientific research projects with minimal supervision from their PI. Develop new computational methods.
  • Identify, process, organize, interpret, review, and report relevant data.
  • Direct data collection.
  • Present research to colleagues within and outside the institution; draft a complex manuscript with minimal supervision, as required.
  • Regularly train and oversee the work of others in computational research and procedures.
  • Perform other duties as assigned to meet the goals and objectives of the department and institution.
  • Maintains regular and predictable attendance.

Minimum Education and/or Training:
  • Bachelor's degree in Bioinformatics, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Computer Science, or related field.
  • Master's degree or PhD preferred.

Minimum Experience:
  • Minimum Requirement: Bachelor's degree and 7+ years of relevant experience.
  • Experience Exception: Master's degree and 5+ years of relevant experience (OR) PhD with 2+ years of relevant experience.
  • Rough criteria for this position based on publication output: 1-2 first author papers IF > 10 (or equivalent contribution to other research outputs).
  • Prior experience in computational research techniques and processes.
  • Proven performance in earlier role/comparable role.

Compensation
In recognition of certain U.S. state and municipal pay transparency laws, St. Jude is including a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This is an estimate offered in good faith and a specific salary offer takes into account factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the salary range and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current salary range is $104,000 - $186,160 per year for the role of Senior Computational Scientist / Scientific Software Engineer for Cryo-ET Workflow Development.
Explore our exceptional benefits!
St. Jude is an Equal Opportunity Employer
No Search Firms
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. Please do not call or email. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee or other representative at St. Jude via email, the internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place and approved by HR will result in no fee being paid in the event the candidate is hired by St. Jude.

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