We are seeking a Mechanical Engineer ready to embrace challenges associated with simulating and analyzing complex submarine missile launcher systems. The ideal candidate will have a strong interest ...
We are seeking a Mechanical Engineer ready to embrace challenges associated with simulating and analyzing complex submarine missile launcher systems. The ideal candidate will have a strong interest ...
2026 PhD Graduate - Mechanical-Fluids Analysis Engineer, Shipboard Systems Team
Laurel, MD · On-site
$105K - $245K/yr
We are seeking a PhD in Mechanical Engineering ready to embrace challenges associated with simulating and analyzing complex submarine missile launcher systems. The ideal candidate will have a strong ...
2026 PhD Graduate - Mechanical-Fluids Analysis Engineer, Shipboard Systems Team
Laurel, MD · On-site
$105K - $245K/yr
We are seeking a PhD in Mechanical Engineering ready to embrace challenges associated with simulating and analyzing complex submarine missile launcher systems. The ideal candidate will have a strong ...
We are seeking a PhD in Mechanical Engineering ready to embrace challenges associated with simulating and analyzing complex submarine missile launcher systems. The ideal candidate will have a strong ...
We are seeking a PhD in Mechanical Engineering ready to embrace challenges associated with simulating and analyzing complex submarine missile launcher systems. The ideal candidate will have a strong ...
Senior Responsible Engineer - Lunar Valves
$145K - $203K/yr
... fluids component design * Knowledge of propulsion and fluid system components (i.e. valves ... Advanced Engineering degree * Experience with static and non-linear FEA analysis (ANSYS) * Exposure ...
Senior Responsible Engineer - Lunar Valves
$145K - $203K/yr
... fluids component design * Knowledge of propulsion and fluid system components (i.e. valves ... Advanced Engineering degree * Experience with static and non-linear FEA analysis (ANSYS) * Exposure ...
Marine Engineer (Auxiliary & Fluid Systems) - Arlington, VA with Security Clearance
Arlington, VA · On-site
Provide system design support for auxiliary and fluids systems from the conceptual design phase through Detailed Design and Construction (DD&C). * Provide onsite engineering support for test site and ...
Marine Engineer (Auxiliary & Fluid Systems) - Arlington, VA with Security Clearance
Arlington, VA · On-site
Provide system design support for auxiliary and fluids systems from the conceptual design phase through Detailed Design and Construction (DD&C). * Provide onsite engineering support for test site and ...
Sr Marine Engineer (Auxiliary & Fluid Systems) - Arlington, VA with Security Clearance
Arlington, VA · On-site
$120K - $165K/yr
Lead and Review system design support for auxiliary and fluids systems from the conceptual design phase through Detailed Design and Construction (DD&C). * Provide onsite engineering support for test ...
Sr Marine Engineer (Auxiliary & Fluid Systems) - Arlington, VA with Security Clearance
Arlington, VA · On-site
$120K - $165K/yr
Lead and Review system design support for auxiliary and fluids systems from the conceptual design phase through Detailed Design and Construction (DD&C). * Provide onsite engineering support for test ...
Payload Accommodation Engineer III (Top Secret / SCI Required)
Reston, VA · On-site
$121K - $169K/yr
Focused subject area in one of the following: fluids, thermal, propulsion, avionics, or electrical hardware and/or software, telemetry/communications, structures, ground operations, or flight/ground ...
Payload Accommodation Engineer III (Top Secret / SCI Required)
Reston, VA · On-site
$121K - $169K/yr
Focused subject area in one of the following: fluids, thermal, propulsion, avionics, or electrical hardware and/or software, telemetry/communications, structures, ground operations, or flight/ground ...
Senior Systems Engineer, Configuration & CAD Design
$145K - $203K/yr
As an Aerospace Systems Engineer, you will have a direct impact on the design and operation of ... Contribute to the overall physical integration and packaging of the structural, mechanical, fluids ...
Senior Systems Engineer, Configuration & CAD Design
$145K - $203K/yr
As an Aerospace Systems Engineer, you will have a direct impact on the design and operation of ... Contribute to the overall physical integration and packaging of the structural, mechanical, fluids ...
Junior Residential Mechanical Designer
Fairfax, VA · On-site
$45K - $60K/yr
... Engineering or relevant field is required with a GPA of 3.0 or above. * Relevant coursework includes but is not limited to the following: Thermodynamics, Fluids, HVAC, Material Science, and Circuits.
Junior Residential Mechanical Designer
Fairfax, VA · On-site
$45K - $60K/yr
... Engineering or relevant field is required with a GPA of 3.0 or above. * Relevant coursework includes but is not limited to the following: Thermodynamics, Fluids, HVAC, Material Science, and Circuits.
Junior Residential Mechanical Designer
Fairfax, VA · On-site
$50K/yr
... Engineering or relevant field is required with a GPA of 3.0 or above. * Relevant coursework includes but is not limited to the following: Thermodynamics, Fluids, HVAC, Material Science, and Circuits.
Junior Residential Mechanical Designer
Fairfax, VA · On-site
$50K/yr
... Engineering or relevant field is required with a GPA of 3.0 or above. * Relevant coursework includes but is not limited to the following: Thermodynamics, Fluids, HVAC, Material Science, and Circuits.
Junior Residential Mechanical Designer
Fairfax, VA · Hybrid
$64K - $84K/yr
... Engineering or relevant field is required with a GPA of 3.0 or above. * Relevant coursework includes but is not limited to the following: Thermodynamics, Fluids, HVAC, Material Science, and Circuits.
Junior Residential Mechanical Designer
Fairfax, VA · Hybrid
$64K - $84K/yr
... Engineering or relevant field is required with a GPA of 3.0 or above. * Relevant coursework includes but is not limited to the following: Thermodynamics, Fluids, HVAC, Material Science, and Circuits.
Junior Residential Mechanical Designer
Fairfax, VA · Hybrid
$64K - $84K/yr
... Engineering or relevant field is required with a GPA of 3.0 or above. * Relevant coursework includes but is not limited to the following: Thermodynamics, Fluids, HVAC, Material Science, and Circuits.
Junior Residential Mechanical Designer
Fairfax, VA · Hybrid
$64K - $84K/yr
... Engineering or relevant field is required with a GPA of 3.0 or above. * Relevant coursework includes but is not limited to the following: Thermodynamics, Fluids, HVAC, Material Science, and Circuits.
Junior Residential Mechanical Designer
Fairfax, VA · On-site
$45K - $60K/yr
... Engineering or relevant field is required with a GPA of 3.0 or above. * Relevant coursework includes but is not limited to the following: Thermodynamics, Fluids, HVAC, Material Science, and Circuits.
Junior Residential Mechanical Designer
Fairfax, VA · On-site
$45K - $60K/yr
... Engineering or relevant field is required with a GPA of 3.0 or above. * Relevant coursework includes but is not limited to the following: Thermodynamics, Fluids, HVAC, Material Science, and Circuits.
Biomed IT Technician Senior - Imaging
Manassas, VA · On-site
$26.24 - $52.48/hr
Demonstrates mastery in engineering disciplines including electronics pneumatics mechanical systems ... May be exposed to noise, radiation, radioactive materials, fumes, chemicals, blood/body fluids ...
Biomed IT Technician Senior - Imaging
Manassas, VA · On-site
$26.24 - $52.48/hr
Demonstrates mastery in engineering disciplines including electronics pneumatics mechanical systems ... May be exposed to noise, radiation, radioactive materials, fumes, chemicals, blood/body fluids ...
Biomedical Equipment Technician 1 (BMET 1) - Clinical Engineering
Manassas, VA · On-site
$21.10 - $42.21/hr
Demonstrates a basic understanding of engineering disciplines including electronics pneumatics ... May be exposed to noise, radiation, radioactive materials, fumes, chemicals, blood/body fluids ...
Biomedical Equipment Technician 1 (BMET 1) - Clinical Engineering
Manassas, VA · On-site
$21.10 - $42.21/hr
Demonstrates a basic understanding of engineering disciplines including electronics pneumatics ... May be exposed to noise, radiation, radioactive materials, fumes, chemicals, blood/body fluids ...
Modeling and Simulations Specialist with Security Clearance
Rockville, MD · On-site
$136K - $231K/yr
... engineering disciplines Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills * Experience in developing and maintaining 6 Degree of Freedom software tools. * Background in structural, thermal, fluids, dynamics ...
Modeling and Simulations Specialist with Security Clearance
Rockville, MD · On-site
$136K - $231K/yr
... engineering disciplines Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills * Experience in developing and maintaining 6 Degree of Freedom software tools. * Background in structural, thermal, fluids, dynamics ...
Postdoctoral Fellow (PREP0004199)
Gaithersburg, MD · On-site
$53K - $72K/yr
... of complex fluids and soft solids * Lead thermal and thermomechanical characterization ... D. in polymer science, materials science, chemical engineering, or a related discipline. • ...
Postdoctoral Fellow (PREP0004199)
Gaithersburg, MD · On-site
$53K - $72K/yr
... of complex fluids and soft solids * Lead thermal and thermomechanical characterization ... D. in polymer science, materials science, chemical engineering, or a related discipline. • ...
HDD Operator
Manassas, VA · On-site
$20.75 - $26.75/hr
Execute bore plans according to engineered specifications, depth requirements, and utility locates ... Strong understanding of HDD operations, tooling, drilling fluids, and bore planning. * Ability to ...
Quick apply
HDD Operator
Manassas, VA · On-site
$20.75 - $26.75/hr
Execute bore plans according to engineered specifications, depth requirements, and utility locates ... Strong understanding of HDD operations, tooling, drilling fluids, and bore planning. * Ability to ...
NIST PREP Research Scientist in Materials Science and Rheology of Complex Polymeric and Composite Ma
Gaithersburg, MD · On-site
$75K - $120K/yr
Design and execute rheological characterization of complex fluids and soft solids * Lead thermal ... D. in polymer science, materials science, chemical engineering, or a related discipline.
NIST PREP Research Scientist in Materials Science and Rheology of Complex Polymeric and Composite Ma
Gaithersburg, MD · On-site
$75K - $120K/yr
Design and execute rheological characterization of complex fluids and soft solids * Lead thermal ... D. in polymer science, materials science, chemical engineering, or a related discipline.
ABM) is one of the world's largest providers of integrated facility, engineering, and ... fluids
ABM) is one of the world's largest providers of integrated facility, engineering, and ... fluids
Fluids Engineer information
See Washington salary details
$27.2K - $42.4K
0% of jobs
$42.4K - $57.7K
5% of jobs
$57.7K - $72.9K
8% of jobs
$72.9K - $88.1K
6% of jobs
$94.5K is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$88.1K - $103.4K
13% of jobs
The median wage is $118.6K / yr.
$103.4K - $118.6K
18% of jobs
$118.6K - $133.9K
16% of jobs
$146.3K is the 75th percentile. Wages above this are outliers.
$133.9K - $149.1K
11% of jobs
$149.1K - $164.3K
9% of jobs
$164.3K - $179.6K
8% of jobs
$179.6K - $194.8K
5% of jobs
$27.2K
$122.3K
$194.8K
How much do fluids engineer jobs pay per year?
What is the difference between Fluids Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?
| Aspect | Fluids Engineer | Mechanical Engineer |
|---|---|---|
| Required Credentials | Bachelor's in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Civil Engineering; specialization in fluid dynamics | Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering; broad engineering fundamentals |
| Work Environment | Research labs, aerospace, energy, and fluid systems industries | Manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, and product design |
| Industry Usage | Focus on fluid behavior, flow analysis, and hydraulics | Design and analyze mechanical systems, including thermal and structural components |
Fluids Engineers specialize in fluid dynamics, working primarily on fluid systems and flow analysis, often within aerospace, energy, or research sectors. Mechanical Engineers have a broader scope, covering various mechanical systems, including thermal, structural, and fluid components. Both roles require strong engineering fundamentals, but Fluids Engineers focus more on fluid-specific applications.
What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Fluids Engineer, and why are they important?
What are some common challenges faced by Fluids Engineers in cross-disciplinary project teams?
What are Fluids Engineers?

2026 Graduate - Mechanical-Fluids Analysis Engineer, Shipboard Systems Team
Laurel, MD • On-site
Full-time
Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO
Posted 28 days ago
Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory rating
9.9
Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz
1st of 58 rated research
Job description
Are you excited by the challenge of performing modeling and simulation and analysis on complex weapon systems in support of the U.S. Navy? Do you have a strong desire to work with data from operational U.S. submarines to understand performance and develop and validate physics-based models?
We are seeking a Mechanical Engineer ready to embrace challenges associated with simulating and analyzing complex submarine missile launcher systems. The ideal candidate will have a strong interest and foundation in fluid dynamics and will have an eagerness to apply and expand their skillset across a range of technical challenges.
As a member of the team, you will gain a deep technical understanding of the weapon systems we support. You will play a pivotal role in assessing how modifications to existing weapon systems affect the complex fluid environment of underwater missile launch. Additionally, you will work with a multidisciplinary team that supports our sponsors in developing advanced analysis methods for deployed systems, modernizing existing Navy hardware, and integrating new weapon systems onto Navy platforms.
As a Mechanical Engineer on our team, you will...
- Develop deep technical expertise in submarine launcher and other shipboard systems by analyzing operational patrol data.
- Perform Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling, including mesh creation, execution, and post-processing on our in-house High-Performance Computing (HPC) cluster.
- Perform physics-based bulk volume modeling and data analysis using MATLAB/Simulink and other tools.
- Implement coding best practices and develop streamlined, maintainable workflows across the team's modeling and analysis tools.
- Validate simulations against test data to assess the accuracy and fidelity of the simulations.
- Support test and evaluation efforts ranging from small-scale lab tests to full-scale system tests at government facilities or onboard Navy platforms.
- Provide critical technical recommendations to sponsors regarding design solutions proposed by industry partners.
- Prepare technical reports and briefing materials for presentation to internal staff, government, and industry partners.
Qualifications
You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...
- Have a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field.
- Have demonstrated interest in fluid dynamics through coursework, professional experience, or in a laboratory setting.
- Are willing to learn new tools and embrace the changes needed to transform existing workflows in a developing Digital Engineering environment.
- Are willing and able to travel occasionally (5%) to U.S. Navy facilities, bases, and contractor sites.
- Are able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a Secret level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.
You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...
- Have significant experience performing modeling and simulation using CFD tools such as OpenFOAM or StarCCM+, or with bulk volume analysis in MATLAB/Simulink, Python, etc.
- Have experience with data analysis of large, complex mechanical systems.
- Have experience working with submarines or missile launcher systems.
- Have an active Secret or Top Secret security clearance.
About Us
Why Work at APL?
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation's most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.
At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accessibility@jhuapl.edu.
The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Minimum Rate
$85,000 Annually
Maximum Rate
$165,000 Annually
What Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory employees say
Pay
Hours and flexibility
Workplace
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About Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory
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Industry
Manufacturing
Company size
5,001 - 10,000 Employees
Headquarters location
Laurel, MA, US