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Graduate Cfd Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Relativity Space

Aerothermal Engineer II

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$103K - $155K/yr

Proficiency in Python and industry-standard CFD tools like FUN3D and Star-CCM+, including use of HPC clusters Nice to Haves, but Not Required: * Graduate degree in engineering or related field * 5+ ...

Relativity Space

Aerothermal Engineer II

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$103K - $155K/yr

Proficiency in Python and industry-standard CFD tools like FUN3D and Star-CCM+, including use of HPC clusters Nice to Haves, but Not Required: * Graduate degree in engineering or related field * 5+ ...

Sparx Engineering

Mechanical Design Engineer

Houston, TX

$72K - $98K/yr

... post-graduate experience in mechanical design or related engineering roles * Proficiency in SOLIDWORKS and technical drawing (including GD&T) * Familiarity with CFD and FEA tools * Knowledge of ...

Sparx Engineering

Mechanical Design Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$72K - $98K/yr

... post-graduate experience in mechanical design or related engineering roles * Proficiency in SOLIDWORKS and technical drawing (including GD&T) * Familiarity with CFD and FEA tools * Knowledge of ...

Sparx Engineering

Mechanical Design Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$72K - $98K/yr

... post-graduate experience in mechanical design or related engineering roles * Proficiency in SOLIDWORKS and technical drawing (including GD&T) * Familiarity with CFD and FEA tools * Knowledge of ...

Netwoven

Mechanical Engineer

Tualatin, OR · On-site

Top 3 Skills: * Drawing Creation, FEA and CFD Modeling * Skills in NX. * Familiarity with New ... This is a graduate eligible role. Preferred qualifications * Experience in Semiconductor industry ...

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Graduate Cfd Engineer information

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How much do graduate cfd engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for graduate 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 are some typical challenges a graduate CFD engineer might face during their first year on the job?

As a Graduate CFD Engineer, you may initially find it challenging to balance learning complex simulation software with understanding specific industry applications. Adapting to project timelines, interpreting large datasets, and validating simulation results against experimental or real-world data can also be demanding. Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams—such as mechanical designers or project managers—requires strong communication skills to ensure simulation findings are effectively integrated into the broader engineering process. However, with mentorship and hands-on project experience, most new graduates quickly become adept at managing these challenges.

What is the difference between Graduate Cfd Engineer vs Mechanical Design Engineer?

AspectGraduate Cfd EngineerMechanical Design Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related engineering; knowledge of CFD softwareBachelor's in Mechanical or Design Engineering; CAD software proficiency
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, simulation centers, engineering teamsDesign studios, manufacturing facilities, product development teams
Industry UsageAutomotive, aerospace, energy sectors focusing on fluid dynamicsConsumer products, machinery, automotive industries focusing on product design

While both roles require engineering backgrounds, a Graduate Cfd Engineer specializes in fluid flow simulations and computational analysis, whereas a Mechanical Design Engineer focuses on creating and testing mechanical components and assemblies. The choice depends on whether you prefer simulation and analysis or hands-on design work within the mechanical engineering field.

What is a graduate CFD engineer?

A Graduate CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) Engineer is an entry-level professional who uses computer simulations to analyze and solve problems involving fluid flow, heat transfer, and related physical phenomena. Typically, they have recently completed a degree in engineering or a related field and work under the guidance of senior engineers to develop models, run simulations, and interpret data. Their role is crucial in industries such as aerospace, automotive, energy, and manufacturing, where fluid dynamics impact product performance and safety. Graduate CFD Engineers often use specialized software like ANSYS Fluent or OpenFOAM and contribute to research, product design, and optimization projects.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a graduate CFD engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Graduate CFD Engineer, you need a solid background in fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and numerical methods, typically supported by a degree in mechanical, aerospace, or related engineering fields. Familiarity with CFD software such as ANSYS Fluent, OpenFOAM, or STAR-CCM+, as well as proficiency in programming languages like Python or MATLAB, is highly valued. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help you interpret simulation results and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. These skills ensure accurate modeling, insightful analysis, and successful project outcomes in complex engineering environments.
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Graduate Cfd Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Graduate Cfd Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $93,015 per year, or $44.7 per hour.

Aerothermal Engineer II

Relativity Space

Long Beach, CA • On-site

$103K - $155K/yr

Full-time

PTO

Re-posted 2 days ago

Relativity Space rating

9.7

Company rating: 9.7 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

2nd of 72 rated aerospace companies

Job description

At Relativity Space, we're building rockets to serve today's needs and tomorrow's breakthroughs. Our Terran R vehicle will deliver customer payloads to orbit, meeting the growing demand for launch capacity. But that's just the start. Achieving commercial success with Terran R will unlock new opportunities to advance science, exploration, and innovation, pioneering progress that reaches beyond the known.
Joining Relativity means becoming part of something where autonomy, ownership, and impact exist at every level. Here, you're not just executing tasks; you're solving problems that haven't been solved before, helping develop a rocket, a factory, and a business from the ground up. Whether you're in propulsion, manufacturing, software, avionics, or a corporate function, you'll collaborate across teams, shape decisions, and see your work come to life in record time. Relativity is a place where creativity and technical rigor go hand in hand, and your voice will help define the stories we're writing together. Now is a unique moment in time where it's early enough to leave your mark on the product, the process, and the culture, but far enough along that Terran R is tangible and picking up momentum. The most meaningful work of your career is waiting. Join us.
About the Team:
Relativity's Integrated Performance teams ensure that our products work across all systems and disciplines, from trajectory design to aerodynamics to reliability analysis and beyond. Our groups size the Terran R rocket, design its missions for customer success, reliability, and reusability, and ensure that every system on the rocket and ground is engineered correctly for the demanding environments of launch and entry. Recently, we completed the preliminary design and analysis of Terran R including Relativity's first-ever work on launch vehicle reusability, spanning advanced trajectory simulations, wind tunnel testing, and structures analysis, among many other projects.
About the Role:
  • Develop and execute computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analyses to solve novel challenges in vehicle entry heating and supersonic retropropulsion
  • Drive the design of major Terran R system elements - like fins, flaps, heat shields, and primary structure - to meet criteria for temperature and heating
  • Guide and mentor responsible hardware engineers to ensure hardware meets aerothermal requirements
  • Scope and develop aerothermal databases for ascent and entry, including uncertainty quantification, from multiple sources like CFD, empirical methods, and wind tunnel testing
  • Size thermal protection systems (TPS) for flight
  • Support re-usable TPS material development and testing
  • Mature Relativity's tools for developing and communicating aerothermal data, including custom and commercial code, databases, and data processing tools

To be successful in this role, you should be self-motivated, adaptable, and able to contribute significantly to a fast-paced, integrated vehicle program. You should also be able to resolve ambiguity and drive projects to completion. Ideally, you have significant compressible flow, CFD, thermal analysis, and conjugate heat transfer experience as well as a proven track record completing projects successfully in a highly collaborative environment.
On a weekly basis, you will be performing analysis, developing software tools, and supporting design teams. You will also use your strong organizational skills to properly manage the documentation and communication of your actions, recommendations, and decisions.
About You:
  • Undergraduate degree in engineering or related field
  • 2+ years relevant experience
  • Proficiency in compressible flow and thermal analysis, preferably on entry vehicles
  • Experience executing CFD workflows for external flow, preferably including engine plume simulation
  • Experience solving cross-disciplinary design problems on integrated vehicles
  • Proficiency in Python and industry-standard CFD tools like FUN3D and Star-CCM+, including use of HPC clusters

Nice to Haves, but Not Required:
  • Graduate degree in engineering or related field
  • 5+ years relevant experience across 1 or more program lifecycles
  • Experience with thermal protection system sizing & analysis using standard tools like FIAT, CHAR, MINIVER, or LAURA
  • Exposure to aerothermal instrumentation, wind tunnel and flight testing

At Relativity Space, we are committed to transparency and fairness in our compensation practices. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors.
Compensation is only one part of our total rewards package. Relativity Space offers competitive salary and equity, a generous PTO and sick leave policy, parental leave, an annual learning and development stipend, and more! To see some of the benefits & perks we offer, please visit here.
Hiring Range:
$103,000-$155,000 USD
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact us at accommodations@relativityspace.com.
Please note: Relativity Space does not accept unsolicited resumes, candidate profiles, or referrals from recruitment agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited submission - via email, our website, social media, or directly to an employee - will be deemed the property of Relativity Space, and no fee will be owed absent a current, fully executed agreement with Talent Acquisition that specifically authorizes submissions for the applicable role.

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