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Hydrodynamics Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Hydrodynamics Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

$99K - $225K/yr

Hydrodynamics Engineer The Opportunity: Apply advanced skills, extensive technical expertise, and full industry knowledge. Provide technical leadership, programmatic oversight, and cross-stakeholder ...

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Hydrodynamics information

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$8

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How much do hydrodynamics jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for hydrodynamics in the United States is $26.34, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.14 and $30.77 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by hydrodynamics professionals in collaborative engineering projects?

Hydrodynamics professionals often work closely with multidisciplinary teams, such as mechanical, civil, and environmental engineers, to design and analyze fluid systems. A common challenge is ensuring effective communication of complex fluid dynamics concepts to team members from non-hydrodynamic backgrounds, which is crucial for project alignment. Additionally, balancing theoretical models with practical constraints like budget, materials, and safety standards can require creative problem-solving. Adapting to rapidly changing project requirements or new simulation technologies is also a frequent aspect of the role.

What are hydrodynamics jobs?

Hydrodynamics jobs involve the study and application of fluid motion, particularly water, in various environments. Professionals in this field analyze how liquids behave under different forces and conditions, often working in industries such as marine engineering, environmental consulting, naval architecture, and energy production. Common tasks may include designing ships or submarines, modeling water flow for environmental assessments, or developing solutions for flood control. These roles typically require a background in engineering, physics, or applied mathematics. Hydrodynamics experts play a key role in advancing technology and ensuring safety in water-related projects.

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

To thrive as a Hydrodynamics Engineer, you need a strong background in fluid mechanics, mathematics, and physics, typically supported by a degree in mechanical, civil, or ocean engineering. Proficiency with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software, modeling tools, and relevant programming languages is essential. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial soft skills in this field. These competencies enable engineers to accurately analyze fluid behavior, design efficient systems, and collaborate effectively on multidisciplinary projects.

What is the difference between Hydrodynamics vs Marine Engineer?

AspectHydrodynamicsMarine Engineer
Required CredentialsEngineering degree, fluid dynamics certificationsMarine engineering degree, maritime certifications
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, simulation centers, offshore sitesShipyards, onboard ships, maritime facilities
Industry UsageDesigning vessels, studying fluid flow around structuresMaintaining ship systems, propulsion, and onboard machinery

Hydrodynamics focuses on the study of fluid flow around objects, often in research or design contexts, while Marine Engineers handle the maintenance and operation of ship systems. Both roles require engineering knowledge but serve different functions within the maritime industry.

More about Hydrodynamics jobs
What cities are hiring for Hydrodynamics jobs? Cities with the most Hydrodynamics job openings:
Infographic showing various Hydrodynamics job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 97% Full Time, and 3% Part Time. Highlights an 95% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $54,791 per year, or $26.3 per hour.
Senior Propulsion & Hydrodynamics Engineer

Senior Propulsion & Hydrodynamics Engineer

Anduril Industries

Costa Mesa, CA • On-site

$112K - $154K/yr

Other

Posted 21 days ago


Anduril rating

9.4

Company rating: 9.4 out of 10

Anduril

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7.4

Company rating compared to similar companies: 7.4 out of 10

Manufacturers average

Based on 71,263 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

ABOUT THE TEAMAnduril's Maritime Division is responsible for planning and executing Anduril's product and revenue roadmap for maritime missions. Working across product, engineering, business development, logistics, and operations, the Maritime team develops, tests, deploys, and sustains the Anduril maritime capabilities in a challenging operational environment worldwide. As a leader in the Maritime Division, you must be a technical leader with the expertise to evaluate, qualify, manage, and advocate for an increasing number of sophisticated parallel pursuits. This role is crucial in ensuring that each initiative aligns with the company's strategic direction and receives the appropriate resourcing, balancing innovation with practical execution to drive the business line's success.ABOUT THE JOBYou will own propulsion and hydrodynamic design for a maritime autonomous vehicle. Reporting to the Vehicle Systems Lead, you will lead thruster design and selection, hydrodynamic analysis, fairing optimization, and propulsive efficiency trades that directly determine vehicle range and endurance.
Your spectrum of support will be diverse in nature and require you to leverage your technical expertise as well as leadership skills to set objectives, build cross-functional teams, and rapidly drive to completion. The ability to leverage your intuition and prior experience will be key in making sure the right design, analysis, and test steps are completed to ensure success. The ideal candidate will leverage their experience executing and successfully completing prior highly optimized multi-disciplinary projects.WHAT YOU'LL DO
  • Drive propulsion system design including thruster selection, integration, and performance
  • Drive hydrodynamic analysis: drag estimation, resistance prediction, and flow characterization
  • Drive fairing geometry design and hydrodynamic optimization
  • Define propulsion power requirements and coordinate with Energy Systems on power budget
  • Lead trade studies balancing speed, endurance, noise, and propulsive efficiency
  • Coordinate with thruster and fairing teams
  • Support prototype testing including sea trials
  • Contribute to design-for-manufacturability reviews
  • Travel up to 25% to test sites and vendor facilities
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Bachelor's degree in Naval Architecture, Ocean Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent
  • 5+ years of experience in marine propulsion, hydrodynamics, or vehicle performance analysis
  • Experience with CFD tools and hydrodynamic modeling
  • Familiarity with electric thruster systems or marine propulsion drives
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret security clearance
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Experience with AUV or UUV propulsion systems
  • Working knowledge of propeller or thruster design and optimization
  • Experience with propulsion testing
  • Familiarity with acoustic signature management
  • Experience in defense or maritime robotics

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About Anduril Industries

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Anduril Industries is a trailblazer in the technology industry based in Costa Mesa, CA, US. Founded in 2017 by Palmer Luckey, the creator of Oculus VR, the company focuses on developing innovative technology to equip and empower those in the defense sector. Its primary products include cutting-edge autonomous systems and AI software that assist in combating threats to national and global security. The mission of Anduril Industries is to integrate technology and defense by building transformative, scalable solutions that ensure a safer world.

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Costa Mesa, CA, US

Year founded

2017

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