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Freelance Automotive Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

... Engineer for automotive website startup: Local automotive-focused start-up is seeking freelance web designer/developer/engineer who can use our completed wireframe design set to build a "deals" based ...

This is a long-term, on-going, freelance role. The successful candidate can balance being a team ... developers as well as second-hand assets from print/video shoots for content. • Works with cross ...

This is a long-term, on-going, freelance role. The successful candidate can balance being a team ... developers as well as second-hand assets from print/video shoots for content. • Works with cross ...

Product Marketing Manager

New York, NY · On-site

$168K/yr

We partner with enterprises across consumer electronics, automotive, life sciences, and financial ... You know when an answer from engineering needs more clarity before it ships. You can balance short ...

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Freelance Automotive Engineer information

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$14

$47

$132

How much do freelance automotive engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance automotive engineer in the United States is $47.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.28 and $61.78 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is there a demand for automotive engineers?

Automotive engineers are in demand due to ongoing advancements in vehicle technology, electric vehicles, and autonomous systems. The industry values skills in CAD software, systems integration, and sustainability, leading to steady job opportunities in manufacturing, research, and development sectors.

What engineers make $500,000?

Highly experienced automotive engineers, especially those in senior leadership roles such as chief engineers or specialized consultants, can earn $500,000 or more annually. Achieving this level typically requires advanced skills, extensive industry experience, and often working in high-demand sectors or with major automotive companies.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior automotive engineers with extensive experience, specialized skills, and advanced certifications can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $300,000 annually, especially in leadership roles or at major companies. High earnings often involve working in management, consulting, or in industries with high demand for automotive innovation, such as electric vehicles or autonomous systems.

Can an engineer do freelance work?

A freelance automotive engineer can work independently on projects such as vehicle design, testing, or consulting. They typically need relevant technical skills, industry knowledge, and sometimes certifications, and can set their own schedules and rates. Freelance engineers often find work through online platforms, networking, or direct client relationships.

What is the difference between Freelance Automotive Engineer vs Automotive Designer?

AspectFreelance Automotive EngineerAutomotive Designer
CredentialsEngineering degree, certifications in automotive engineeringDesign or art degree, portfolio of vehicle concepts
Work EnvironmentProject-based, client sites, or remote engineering tasksDesign studios, automotive companies, or freelance projects
Industry UsageDevelops vehicle systems, prototypes, and technical solutionsCreates vehicle aesthetics, interior/exterior concepts

Freelance Automotive Engineers focus on technical development, prototypes, and engineering solutions, often working on vehicle performance and safety. Automotive Designers concentrate on vehicle aesthetics and user experience, creating visual concepts and styling. Both roles may collaborate but serve different aspects of vehicle development.

More about Freelance Automotive Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Freelance Automotive Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Freelance Automotive Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Automotive Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Automotive Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Freelance Automotive Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Freelance Automotive Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Freelance Automotive Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Freelance Automotive Engineer jobs are:

Simulation Engineer - OpenFOAM / OpenSees (Remote Freelance)

Alignerr

Remote

$20 - $100/hr

Contractor

Posted 2 days ago


Job description

Simulation Engineer - OpenFOAM / OpenSees (Remote Freelance)
About the Role
What if your simulation expertise could directly shape how the next generation of structures and systems are designed, tested, and validated? We're looking for engineers based in Munich and across Germany with hands-on proficiency in
OpenFOAM
(computational fluid dynamics) and/or
OpenSees
(structural/earthquake engineering analysis) to contribute to advanced modeling, simulation, and analysis projects.
Whether your background is in mechanical engineering, structural engineering, or both - if you're fluent in open-source simulation tools and passionate about solving complex physical problems, this role is for you.
This is a fully remote, flexible contract role. Bring your deep technical skills, work on challenging problems, and collaborate with international teams pushing the boundaries of engineering simulation.
  • Type
    : Hourly Contract
  • Location
    : Remote
  • Commitment
    : 10-40 hours/week

What You'll Do
  • Develop, configure, and run CFD simulations using
    OpenFOAM
    for fluid flow, heat transfer, and multiphysics problems
  • Build and execute nonlinear structural and seismic analysis models using
    OpenSees
    for structural systems and components
  • Set up meshing, boundary conditions, material models, and solver configurations for complex engineering scenarios
  • Validate simulation results against experimental data, analytical benchmarks, or design code requirements
  • Post-process, visualize, and interpret simulation outputs to extract actionable engineering insights
  • Document methodologies, assumptions, and results clearly for technical and non-technical stakeholders
  • Troubleshoot convergence issues, mesh sensitivity, and numerical instabilities
  • Collaborate asynchronously with multidisciplinary engineering teams on project deliverables

Who You Are
  • Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Structural/Civil Engineering, or a closely related field (B.Sc. minimum; M.Sc. or Ph.D. preferred)
  • Demonstrated proficiency with
    OpenFOAM
    for CFD applications and/or
    OpenSees
    for structural/seismic analysis
  • Strong understanding of continuum mechanics, finite element methods, and/or computational fluid dynamics fundamentals
  • Comfortable working in Linux environments and using command-line tools, scripting (Python, Bash, or Tcl), and version control
  • Able to interpret and critically evaluate simulation results with engineering judgment
  • Self-motivated and reliable when working independently on technically demanding tasks
  • Clear written communicator in English - able to produce well-organized technical reports and documentation

Nice to Have
  • Experience with both OpenFOAM and OpenSees across interdisciplinary projects
  • Familiarity with ParaView, Gmsh, Salome, or other pre/post-processing tools
  • Background in wind engineering, automotive aerodynamics, earthquake engineering, fluid-structure interaction, or performance-based design
  • Experience with high-performance computing (HPC) clusters for large-scale simulations
  • Knowledge of other simulation frameworks (ANSYS, Abaqus, LS-DYNA, COMSOL) for cross-validation
  • Published research or project portfolio demonstrating simulation work
  • Experience mentoring or reviewing the work of junior engineers

Why Join Us
  • Work on technically challenging, real-world engineering simulation projects
  • Fully remote and flexible - set your own hours and work from anywhere
  • Apply your niche expertise in open-source simulation tools to meaningful work
  • Collaborate with experienced engineers and researchers across disciplines
  • Freelance autonomy with the structure of well-defined, project-based deliverables
  • Potential for ongoing work and contract extension as new projects launch