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Principal Cfd Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Bloom Energy

Principal Engineer - CFD/Thermal

San Jose, CA · On-site

$176K - $253K/yr

We are looking for a Principal Engineer -CFD/Thermal to join our team in one of today's most exciting technologies. This role will report to Sr. Director, Development Engineering. Location: This ...

MissionHires

NY · On-site

... Principal Mechanical Design Engineer for the Industrial Systems Group. Reporting to the Site ... Apply advanced modeling, including FEA, CFD, and model‑based design, to guide and validate ...

Merck & Co.

Lead CFD and engineering simulation of bioreactor mixing and gassing to characterize P/V, shear, mixing time, pH and component gradients, kLa, and gas gradients toward defining engineering ...

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As of Sep 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal cfd engineer in the United States is $147,220.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,500.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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Infographic showing various Principal Cfd Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $147,220 per year, or $70.8 per hour.

Principal CFD Engineer - Hydrodynamic Systems

New Brighton, MN • On-site

Verterra Energy
Clean Energy Semiconductors Manufacturing • 1 - 10 employees
Learn more about Verterra Energyexternal

Full-time, Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 22 days ago

Job description

Role Overview

You will lead computational fluid dynamics modeling efforts for Verterra's turbine systems and related platforms.

You will define modeling strategy, boundary conditions, mesh approach, turbulence models, and validation methods. You will work directly with mechanical and test engineers to ensure CFD results inform blade geometry, structural loads, fatigue expectations, and overall system efficiency.

We are open to full-time, part-time, or 1099 arrangements for the right subject matter expert.

Core Responsibilities

Hydrodynamic Modeling

  • Develop and execute 3D CFD models of rotating turbine systems in open-water environments
  • Model turbulent, unsteady, and cyclic flow conditions
  • Support blade and housing geometry optimization
  • Evaluate flow separation, wake behavior, cavitation risk, and efficiency tradeoffs

Modeling Strategy & Validation

  • Define appropriate turbulence models and simulation fidelity
  • Develop mesh strategies for rotating machinery and complex geometries
  • Establish convergence and validation criteria
  • Correlate CFD outputs with experimental data from flume and field testing
  • Identify when simulation assumptions break down

Load & System Integration

  • Extract pressure and force distributions for structural loading analysis
  • Support fatigue and cyclic loading estimation
  • Work cross-functionally with structural and mechanical engineers
  • Translate fluid results into manufacturable design recommendations

Environmental & Operational Conditions

  • Model debris interaction scenarios and flow disturbance cases
  • Evaluate performance in variable flow velocities
  • Understand long-term exposure considerations in real water systems

Documentation & Decision Support

  • Present results in clear, engineering-driven formats
  • Identify design tradeoffs and uncertainty bands
  • Support design reviews with defensible analysis
  • Document modeling assumptions and limitations

Minimum Qualifications

  • 8+ years of professional CFD experience (12+ for Principal level)
  • Demonstrated experience modeling external fluid flow systems
  • Experience with rotating machinery or turbine systems
  • Deep understanding of turbulence modeling and numerical stability
  • Experience correlating CFD results to physical testing
  • Ability to independently define modeling strategy

Preferred Qualifications

  • Marine, riverine, or open-water flow modeling experience
  • Experience with cavitation prediction
  • Experience modeling debris interaction or multiphase flow
  • Experience supporting hardware programs from early prototype through validation
  • Experience working in small, engineering-driven teams

What Success Looks Like

  • CFD informs geometry decisions early and reduces physical iteration cycles
  • Simulation results correlate closely with flume or field testing
  • Load predictions meaningfully support structural design
  • Design decisions are made based on physics, not aesthetics
  • Modeling assumptions are documented and defensible

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage
  • Company-paid life, disability, and basic protection
  • 401(k) with employer match
  • Unlimited paid time off + 2 weeks sick and safe leave
  • 7 company-paid holidays: New Year's Day (January 1), Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, the Friday after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day
  • Stocked kitchen

Equal opportunity

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