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Contract Cfd Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Amentum

Aerothermal Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

... Contract. The Aerothermal Engineer will: • Apply knowledge of high-speed Earth entry aerothermodynamics to human-rated spacecraft. • Utilize NASA Aerothermal CFD solvers for spacecraft entry ...

Spectra Logic

Contract - Sr. Thermal Engineer

Boulder, CO · On-site

$60 - $80/hr

... Engineer to join our team on a short-term contract focused on designing and validating a dedicated ... CFD tools Define and program software control systems (e.g., Modbus) to maintain precise ...

Spectra Logic

Contract - Sr. Thermal Engineer

Boulder, CO · On-site

$60 - $80/hr

... Engineer to join our team on a short-term contract focused on designing and validating a dedicated ... CFD tools • Define and program software control systems (e.g., Modbus) to maintain precise ...

Pae

Aerothermal Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

... Contract. The Aerothermal Engineer will: Apply knowledge of high-speed Earth entry aerothermodynamics to human-rated spacecraft. Utilize NASA Aerothermal CFD solvers for spacecraft entry analysis.

General Atomics

Engineer V

Poway, CA · On-site

$105K - $189K/yr

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis * Flight controls and control law development * Wind ... contracts or component projects. * Provide guidance and direction to design and technical staff ...

Genex Systems

Hydraulic Research Engineer

Mclean, VA · On-site

... contract at the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center (TFHRC). This position focuses on ... CFD simulations and CAD model designs may be included to complement physical tests. Once assigned a ...

Genex Systems

Hydraulic Research Engineer

Mclean, VA · On-site

... contract at the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center (TFHRC). This position focuses on ... CFD simulations and CAD model designs may be included to complement physical tests. Once assigned a ...

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How much do contract cfd engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract 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 a contract CFD engineer?

A Contract CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) Engineer is a professional hired on a temporary or project basis to analyze fluid flow, heat transfer, and related physics using simulation software. They typically work in industries like aerospace, automotive, energy, and manufacturing to optimize designs and improve performance. Contract CFD Engineers use tools like ANSYS Fluent, OpenFOAM, or STAR-CCM+ to create and analyze simulations. Their role involves setting up computational models, validating results, and providing insights to improve product efficiency. Since they work on a contract basis, they may manage multiple projects for different clients or companies.

What are some typical challenges contract CFD engineers face and how can they be managed?

Contract CFD Engineers often face the challenge of efficiently onboarding to new projects and quickly understanding unique client requirements and simulation objectives. They may also need to balance tight deadlines with the need for precise modeling and interpretation of complex fluid phenomena. Clear communication with clients, solid project management skills, and ongoing professional development in new simulation techniques can help you manage these challenges effectively. Staying adaptable and proactive enables contract engineers to deliver high-quality results and build strong client relationships, leading to continued contract opportunities.

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

To thrive as a Contract CFD Engineer, you need a strong background in fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and numerical analysis, often backed by a degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering. Proficiency in industry-standard CFD software such as ANSYS Fluent, STAR-CCM+, or OpenFOAM, as well as experience with CAD and meshing tools, is highly valued. Strong problem-solving skills, effective communication, and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision help you stand out in contract-based roles. These skills and qualities ensure you can deliver accurate, timely simulation results while efficiently managing specific project deliverables for various clients.

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Contract Cfd Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Cfd Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $93,015 per year, or $44.7 per hour.

Principal CFD Engineer - Hydrodynamic Systems

Verterra Energy

New Brighton, MN • On-site

Full-time, Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 27 days ago

Job description

What We Do at Verterra Energy
At Verterra Energy, we're on a mission to harness the power in the world's rivers, canals and oceans. To accomplish this, we are commercializing our first device called VOLTURNUS, a pioneering water-power technology that deploys in harmony with the current to capture baseline, zero emission electricity.
Backed by top-tier investors and a multi-year government contract, we are growing our founding team to help achieve key milestones. Partners and collaborators include: NIRON, DoD, DoE, University of Minnesota, WEG Group, Beckhoff, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the US Army Corp of Engineers.
Recent press releases can be found on our website:
https://www.verterraenergy.com/news
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
Verterra Energy does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits.

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