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Hourly Topology Optimization Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Hourly Topology Optimization information

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$16K

$55.8K

$102K

How much do hourly topology optimization jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for hourly topology optimization in the United States is $55,794.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $36,000.00 and $72,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Hourly Topology Optimization vs Mechanical Design Engineer?

AspectHourly Topology OptimizationMechanical Design Engineer
Required credentialsEngineering degree, CAD software skills, optimization knowledgeEngineering degree, CAD software skills, design experience
Work environmentDesign firms, manufacturing companies, consultingProduct development, manufacturing, R&D departments
Industry usageStructural, aerospace, automotive, product designMechanical systems, machinery, consumer products
Search intentOptimization techniques, design efficiency, material savingsProduct design, mechanical systems, prototyping

Hourly Topology Optimization focuses on improving structural designs through computational methods, often in specialized software, while Mechanical Design Engineers develop and refine physical product designs. Both roles require engineering backgrounds and CAD skills, but their core functions differ: one emphasizes optimization algorithms, the other practical mechanical design.

What is hourly topology optimization?

Hourly topology optimization refers to the process of optimizing the material layout within a given design space, subject to specific constraints, with the work being billed on an hourly basis. Professionals in this field use advanced computational techniques to determine the most efficient structure or component design, often in engineering or manufacturing applications. The hourly aspect typically means clients are charged for the time spent running simulations, refining designs, and consulting. This service is commonly used to reduce material costs, improve performance, and accelerate the development of innovative products.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Topology Optimization Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Topology Optimization Engineer, you should have a strong background in mechanical or structural engineering, proficiency in finite element analysis (FEA), and a relevant degree such as a BS or MS in engineering. Expertise in CAD software, optimization tools like Altair OptiStruct or ANSYS, and familiarity with scripting languages such as Python or MATLAB are typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, creativity, and effective communication help translate complex engineering requirements into optimized, manufacturable designs. These skills are critical for developing innovative, efficient structures that meet performance and cost objectives in various industries.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in hourly topology optimization roles?

Professionals in hourly topology optimization often encounter challenges such as balancing computational efficiency with the accuracy of their design solutions. Since projects are typically billed by the hour, time management and prioritizing key tasks become essential to maximize productivity. Additionally, these roles often require frequent collaboration with design engineers and project managers to integrate optimization results into larger workflows, which can sometimes lead to tight deadlines and the need for clear, ongoing communication. Staying updated with the latest simulation tools and optimization algorithms is also important to remain competitive and deliver high-quality results.
More about Hourly Topology Optimization jobs
What cities are hiring for Hourly Topology Optimization jobs? Cities with the most Hourly Topology Optimization job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Topology Optimization jobs? The most popular types of Topology Optimization jobs are:
What states have the most Hourly Topology Optimization jobs? States with the most job openings for Hourly Topology Optimization jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Hourly Topology Optimization jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Hourly Topology Optimization jobs are:
Hourly Topology Optimization jobs near you
Infographic showing various Hourly Topology Optimization job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 58% Full Time, 36% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 66% Physical, 7% Hybrid, and 27% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $55,794 per year, or $26.8 per hour.
Staff Data Platform Architect (Databricks)

Staff Data Platform Architect (Databricks)

Aquent

Hartford, CT • On-site

$55 - $57/hr

Temporary

Posted 27 days ago

Job description

Placement Type:
Temporary
Salary:
$55-57 Hourly
$55 - 57 / hourly as W2
Start Date:
Jun 29, 2026
Staff Data Platform Architect (Databricks)
Hartford, CT, hybrid (on-site 3 days per week)
Department: Data & Analytics Platform
Business Unit: Infrastructure and Cloud Services
Reports To: Senior Director, Data Platform
Role Overview
We are seeking a Staff Data Platform Architect to serve as the primary technical consultant and strategist for our enterprise Databricks ecosystem. This is a high-impact, senior individual contributor role focused on driving technical excellence, automation, and fiscal efficiency.
Unlike a traditional administrator, you will act as an internal consultant to our extensive Databricks team, providing the blueprint for scalable pipelines, advanced automation, and long-term capacity forecasting. You will bridge the gap between complex infrastructure (Unix/Linux) and modern AI/ML workflows, ensuring our platform is both cutting-edge and cost-effective.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Consultation & Architecture
  • Act as the Technical Authority for Databricks, advising engineering teams on Unity Catalog governance, workspace topology, and complex migration patterns.
  • Consult on the design of high-performance data pipelines, specifically optimizing Delta Live Tables (DLT) and structured streaming for scale.
  • Partner with teams using Ab Initio and Fivetran to ensure seamless integration and architectural alignment across the multi-platform ecosystem.

Platform Optimization & Financial Forecasting
  • Capacity Planning: Own the forecasting of DBU consumption and partner with leadership on multi-year contract utilization and commitment management.
  • Cost Engineering: Design and implement sophisticated cost-attribution models (chargeback/showback) and proactively identify "leaks" in compute spend.
  • Performance Tuning: Define enterprise standards for Z-ordering, partitioning, and compute strategy to maximize performance-per-dollar.

Advanced Automation & AI Operations
  • Architect "self-healing" infrastructure through Python and Bash automation, reducing manual toil for the wider engineering team.
  • Consult on the operationalization of ML models, leveraging MLflow and Model Serving to move experiments into production.
  • Guide the integration of Generative AI and LLM-backed workflows into the standard data engineering lifecycle.

Infrastructure & Linux Engineering
  • Provide deep-tier expertise for the Unix/Linux environments underpinning our compute nodes.
  • Develop advanced automation scripts for cluster lifecycle management, monitoring, and security hardening.
Required Qualifications
  • Experience: 7+ years in Data Engineering/Platform roles, with at least 4 years of deep architectural experience in Databricks.
  • The "Consultant" Mindset: Proven ability to advise multiple teams, influence technical roadmaps, and communicate complex trade-offs to senior leadership.
  • Technical Depth: Mastery of Unity Catalog, Delta Lake, and PySpark.
  • Systems Expertise: Strong proficiency in Unix/Linux systems administration and shell scripting (Bash) for infrastructure automation.
  • Financial Acumen: Experience managing cloud consumption (DBUs), forecasting usage, and implementing cost-governance tools.
  • Tooling: High proficiency with Git-based CI/CD and experience in Oracle environments.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Hands-on experience with Infrastructure-as-Code (Terraform/Ansible) for Databricks provider.
  • Exposure to Ab Initio or Fivetran in a large-scale enterprise environment.
  • Background in highly regulated industries (e.g., Finance or Insurance).

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