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How much do freelance structural engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for freelance structural engineering in the United States is $99,400.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,000.00 and $113,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Freelance Structural Engineering job?

A Freelance Structural Engineering job involves providing structural analysis, design, and consultation services on a contract basis rather than as a full-time employee. Freelancers work with architects, contractors, and clients to ensure buildings and infrastructure are safe and meet regulatory standards. They may handle tasks like load calculations, material selection, and structural inspections. This role offers flexibility in workload and project choice but requires strong technical expertise and business management skills.

What are common challenges faced by freelance structural engineers, and how can they be addressed?

Freelance structural engineers often juggle multiple projects and clients simultaneously, which requires excellent time management and organizational skills. A common challenge is ensuring steady workflow and maintaining consistent communication with clients, architects, and contractors who may have differing expectations and timelines. To address these issues, successful freelancers proactively set clear project milestones, utilize effective project management tools, and establish transparent communication channels from the outset. Building a reliable network of contacts and constantly updating technical knowledge also helps in delivering quality work and securing repeat business. By staying organized and adaptable, freelance structural engineers can manage these challenges and achieve professional growth.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Freelance Structural Engineering position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Freelance Structural Engineer, you need a solid background in structural analysis, design principles, and a degree in civil or structural engineering, often with PE (Professional Engineer) licensure. Familiarity with industry-standard software such as AutoCAD, SAP2000, ETABS, and Revit is typically required, along with up-to-date knowledge of local building codes and regulations. Strong project management, client communication, and problem-solving abilities help set successful freelancers apart. These competencies are vital because freelancers must deliver safe, compliant designs independently while effectively managing clients and projects from start to finish.

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Freelance Structural Engineering jobs near you

Mechanical & Structural Simulation Engineer (OpenFOAM / OpenSees) - Remote Freelance

Alignerr

Remote

$20 - $100/hr

Contractor

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

Mechanical & Structural 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 the Netherlands 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, offshore engineering, hydraulic 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

Apply