2

Entry Level Cfd Jobs (NOW HIRING)

As an entry-level engineer, you will work under the guidance of Senior and Staff engineers to ... Execute high-fidelity CFD campaigns across Aerodynamics, Soiling, and Water Management to optimize ...

Fluid Dynamics Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$95.40K - $106K/yr

As an entry-level engineer, you will work under the guidance of Senior and Staff engineers to ... Execute high-fidelity CFD campaigns across Aerodynamics, Soiling, and Water Management to optimize ...

5277 - Mechanical Engineer L1

$84.80K - $117.60K/yr

Your role at a glance As an Entry-level Mechanical Engineer at NTT Global Data Centers Americas ... Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tools. • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. EDUCATION ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Entry Level Cfd information

See salary details

$40.5K

$73.5K

$121K

How much do entry level cfd jobs pay per year?

As of May 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level cfd in the United States is $73,528.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $52,000.00 and $88,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an Entry Level CFD job?

An Entry Level CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) job involves using simulation software to analyze fluid flow, heat transfer, and related physical phenomena. Engineers in this role assist in developing and testing models for industries like aerospace, automotive, and energy. They typically work with CAD software, perform simulations, and interpret results to improve designs. Strong problem-solving skills and familiarity with CFD tools like ANSYS Fluent or OpenFOAM are beneficial.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Entry Level Cfd position, and why are they important?

To excel as an Entry Level CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) professional, a bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics, or applied mathematics and strong analytical skills are essential. Familiarity with CFD software such as ANSYS Fluent, OpenFOAM, or COMSOL Multiphysics, and basic programming knowledge (e.g., Python, MATLAB) are highly valued. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, teamwork, and effective communication help candidates stand out in this role. These skills and qualities enable individuals to accurately simulate complex fluid dynamics scenarios and work effectively within interdisciplinary engineering teams.

What types of projects or tasks are typically assigned to entry level CFD professionals in their first year?

Entry Level CFD professionals usually start by assisting with simulation setup, running basic analyses, and processing data for larger engineering projects. Early tasks often include mesh generation, pre- and post-processing of results, validating simulation outputs against experimental data, and preparing detailed reports. You may collaborate closely with senior engineers, designers, and project managers to ensure your simulation work aligns with overall project goals. As you gain experience, you can expect to take on more complex analysis responsibilities and contribute to project decision-making. This hands-on involvement provides a strong foundation for advancing into specialist or project leadership roles in the future.
What cities are hiring for Entry Level Cfd jobs? Cities with the most Entry Level Cfd job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Cfd jobs? The most popular types of Cfd jobs are:
What states have the most Entry Level Cfd jobs? States with the most job openings for Entry Level Cfd jobs include:
Infographic showing various Entry Level Cfd job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 51% Full Time, and 49% Part Time. Highlights an 73% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 21% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $73,528 per year, or $35.4 per hour.
Fluid Dynamics Engineer

Fluid Dynamics Engineer

Rivian

Irvine, CA

$95.40K - $106K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 17 days ago


Rivian rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 153 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

17th of 44 rated automakers


Job description

About Rivian
Rivian is on a mission to keep the world adventurous forever. This goes for the emissions-free Electric Adventure Vehicles we build, and the curious, courageous souls we seek to attract.
As a company, we constantly challenge what's possible, never simply accepting what has always been done. We reframe old problems, seek new solutions and operate comfortably in areas that are unknown. Our backgrounds are diverse, but our team shares a love of the outdoors and a desire to protect it for future generations.
Role Summary
We are looking for a motivated Junior Fluid Dynamics Engineer to join our team and contribute to the aerodynamic development of our next-generation electric adventure vehicles. In this role, you will provide critical technical support to the aerodynamics team, moving from early-stage simulations to real-world production validation.
As an entry-level engineer, you will work under the guidance of Senior and Staff engineers to balance the demands of drag reduction, lift balance, and cooling requirements with the aesthetic vision of our Design Studio. This is a hands-on role where you will transform raw fluid-dynamics data into actionable insights that help define the efficiency and capabilities of our fleet.
Responsibilities
  • Simulation & Analysis: Execute high-fidelity CFD campaigns across Aerodynamics, Soiling, and Water Management to optimize vehicle range and ensure the environmental reliability of autonomous sensor suites.
  • AI-Driven Workflow: Leverage machine learning and advanced scripting to automate simulation post-processing, identifying performance patterns and drastically reducing turnaround times for complex physics.
  • Design Strategy: Collaborate with the Design and Styling teams to provide data-driven feedback on surface development, balancing aesthetic intent with the technical requirements for water runoff and soil mitigation.
  • Testing & Validation: Support both wind tunnel and environmental test programs (including water fording and soiling validation) to correlate digital models with real-world sensor performance and vehicle efficiency.
  • Cross-Functional Integration: Partner with Autonomous Hardware, Thermal, and Range teams to ensure Aerodynamics & Environmental Performance targets are met within the broader context of vehicle development.
  • Technical Communication: Synthesize complex fluid dynamics phenomena into actionable reports, providing clear guidance to senior leadership and cross-functional partners.

Qualifications
  • Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering; a focus on fluid dynamics or aerodynamics is preferred.
  • Experience: 0-2 years of experience (including internships or Formula Student/FSAE experience) in automotive or aerospace aerodynamics.
  • Technical Skills: Foundational knowledge of commercial CFD codes and their application to fluid flow problems.
    • Familiarity with CAD software (CATIA V6 preferred) for surface manipulation and model preparation.
    • Strong Python or MATLAB skills for data analysis and workflow automation.
  • Soft Skills: Strong communication skills and the ability to explain technical findings to a variety of stakeholders.
  • Mindset: A "can-do" attitude with a proven track record of managing projects from concept to completion in a team environment.
  • Ability to travel up to 20%.

Pay Disclosure
The salary range for this role is $95,400 - $106,000 for California based applicants. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee's position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, shift, and organizational needs.
The successful candidate may be eligible for annual performance bonus and equity awards.
We offer a comprehensive package of benefits for full-time and part-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26, including but not limited to paid vacation, paid sick leave, and a competitive portfolio of insurance benefits including life, medical, dental, vision, short-term disability insurance, and long-term disability insurance to eligible employees. You may also have the opportunity to participate in Rivian's 401(k) Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program if you meet certain eligibility requirements. Full-time employee coverage is effective on their first day of employment. Part-time employee coverage is effective the first of the month following 90 days of employment. More information about benefits is available at rivianbenefits.com.
You can apply for this role through careers.rivian.com (or through internal-careers-rivian.icims.com if you are a current employee). This job is not expected to be closed any sooner than April 30th, 2026.
Equal Opportunity
Rivian is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information or characteristics, physical or mental disability, marital/domestic partner status, age, military/veteran status, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Rivian is committed to ensuring that our hiring process is accessible for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability or limitation, such as those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, that requires accommodations to assist you in the search and application process, please email us at
Candidate Data Privacy
Rivian may collect, use and disclose your personal information or personal data (within the meaning of the applicable data protection laws) when you apply for employment and/or participate in our recruitment processes ("Candidate Personal Data"). This data includes contact, demographic, communications, educational, professional, employment, social media/website, network/device, recruiting system usage/interaction, security and preference information. Rivian may use your Candidate Personal Data for the purposes of (i) tracking interactions with our recruiting system; (ii) carrying out, analyzing and improving our application and recruitment process, including assessing you and your application and conducting employment, background and reference checks; (iii) establishing an employment relationship or entering into an employment contract with you; (iv) complying with our legal, regulatory and corporate governance obligations; (v) recordkeeping; (vi) ensuring network and information security and preventing fraud; and (vii) as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law.
Rivian may share your Candidate Personal Data with (i) internal personnel who have a need to know such information in order to perform their duties, including individuals on our People Team, Finance, Legal, and the team(s) with the position(s) for which you are applying; (ii) Rivian affiliates; and (iii) Rivian's service providers, including providers of background checks, staffing services, and cloud services.
Rivian may transfer or store internationally your Candidate Personal Data, including to or in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union and in the cloud, and this data may be subject to the laws and accessible to the courts, law enforcement and national security authorities of such jurisdictions.
Please note that we are currently not accepting applications from third party application services.

What Rivian employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Rivian logo

About Rivian

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Rivian is a pioneering automotive industry player headquartered in Irvine, California. Established in 2009, the company has made notable advancements in developing sustainable transportation solutions. It is widely recognized for its electric adventure vehicles: the R1T pickup and the R1S SUV. Rivian is dedicated to creating a positive shift in societal mobility and emphasizes sustainability, innovation, and adventure as part of its core values. Their mission is to keep the world adventurous forever - a testament to their commitment in transitioning the world to sustainable transportation. Rivian's achievements are numerous, with one of the most notable being securing a significant multi-billion dollar investment from Amazon for the production of electric delivery vans.

Industry

Automobile dealers

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Irvine, CA, US

Year founded

2009