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Senior Computational Scientist Jobs in Oak Ridge, TN

Senior Site Reliability Engineer

Knoxville, TN · On-site

$50.75 - $67.50/hr

Our Cadre5 Lab Partners division has partnered with the National Center for Computational Sciences (NCCS) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to recruit a Senior Site Reliability Engineer for the ...

Senior Platform Engineer

Knoxville, TN · On-site

$93K - $127K/yr

Senior Platform Engineer Founded in 1999 in the beautiful Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee, Cadre5 ... Our Cadre5 Lab Partners division has partnered with the National Center for Computational Sciences ...

Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Knoxville, TN · On-site

$85K - $118K/yr

... scientists with a strong track record of building state-of-the-art stellarator fusion machines ... Develop and validate Finite Element (FEA) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models using ANSYS ...

The Emerging Technology Computational Group facilitates ORNL goals through HPC systems engineering ... ORNL delivers scientific discoveries and technical breakthroughs needed to realize solutions in ...

Senior Magnet Engineer

Knoxville, TN · On-site

$130 - $190/hr

... scientists with a strong track record of building state-of-the-art stellarator fusion machines ... modern computational physics and high-field superconducting magnets to develop its optimized ...

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Senior Computational Scientist information

See Oak Ridge, TN salary details

$48.3K

$106.4K

$131.5K

How much do senior computational scientist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior computational scientist in Oak Ridge, TN is $106,449.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $90,300.00 and $131,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a senior computational scientist do?

A Senior Computational Scientist develops and applies advanced computational methods to solve complex scientific and engineering problems. They design algorithms, create simulations, and analyze large datasets, often working in interdisciplinary teams. Their work supports research and development in fields like bioinformatics, physics, chemistry, and engineering. Additionally, they may mentor junior scientists, contribute to scientific publications, and help set technical directions for their organization.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior computational scientist?

To thrive as a Senior Computational Scientist, you need advanced expertise in computational methods, statistical analysis, programming (such as Python or R), and typically a Ph.D. or equivalent experience in a quantitative field. Familiarity with high-performance computing environments, scientific software (e.g., MATLAB, TensorFlow), and version control systems is commonly required. Strong problem-solving abilities, leadership, and effective communication help in collaborating across multidisciplinary teams and managing complex projects. These skills are critical for developing innovative computational solutions and driving impactful research outcomes.

How does a senior computational scientist typically collaborate with interdisciplinary teams in research projects?

Senior Computational Scientists frequently work alongside experts from fields such as biology, physics, engineering, and data science. They are responsible for translating complex scientific questions into computational models, guiding data analysis, and ensuring that computational methods align with project goals. Effective communication and project management skills are essential, as these professionals often lead discussions, present findings, and coordinate technical solutions across varied teams. This collaborative environment fosters innovation and allows for continuous learning from diverse scientific perspectives.

What is the difference between Senior Computational Scientist vs Computational Scientist?

AspectSenior Computational ScientistComputational Scientist
Required CredentialsMaster's or PhD in computational science, physics, or related fieldBachelor's or Master's in similar fields
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, R&D departments, academia, industryResearch institutions, industry, academia
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, pharmaceuticals, aerospace, government labsUniversities, research organizations, industry
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for experience level and responsibilitiesEntry to mid-level roles, less emphasis on leadership

Senior Computational Scientists typically have advanced degrees and more experience, leading complex projects in research and industry. Computational Scientists are often early to mid-career professionals focused on data analysis and modeling. The main difference lies in experience, project scope, and leadership responsibilities.

What cities near Oak Ridge, TN are hiring for Senior Computational Scientist jobs?

Cities near Oak Ridge, TN with the most Senior Computational Scientist job openings:

Infographic showing various Senior Computational Scientist job openings in Oak Ridge, TN as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Internship, 1% As Needed, 88% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $106,449 per year, or $51.2 per hour.

Sr. Computational Fluid Dynamics Analyst

Oak Ridge, TN


Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Scientific Research and Development Services • 5 - 10K employees

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 16 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

14th of 120 rated laboratories

Great coworkers

People enjoy working here

Good employer


$84K - $111K/yr

Full-time

Posted 13 days ago


Job description

Requisition Id 16174 

Level: RP03

Overview:

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

The Advanced Engineering Technologies (AET) Group is seeking a senior computational fluid dynamics analyst specializing in the use and development of computational simulation software for complex aerodynamic systems in the support of the nonproliferation mission space. This position will involve the creation and use of custom developed and off-the-shelf computational approaches in a research and development atmosphere.

Major Duties / Responsibilities:
  • You will, in collaboration with principal investigators and project management at ORNL, participate in the development of simulation software to model complex system flows in processes relevant to the nuclear nonproliferation mission space.
  • You will be expected to be a heavy end user of the tools generated, participate in model validation activities, identify workflow improvements, and communicate issues to the development team for tool improvement.
  • Analysis of ad hoc problem sets relevant to the nuclear nonproliferation mission space is expected.
  • Performing well as part of a larger project team and being capable of developing simulation software in a collaborative development environment.
  • In addition to these responsibilities, you will be a contributor to R&D projects and will be expected to report on and brief results throughout the lifecycle of the various projects assigned to them.
  • In this position effectively interacting with various ORNL staff as well as internal and external sponsors is required.
  • If selected, you will be expected to work in a team environment with co-workers and management as well as independently; to fully document work performed in the forms of technical reports, papers and presentations; and to participate in the development of research proposals.
  • You will interface with principal investigators, management, engineers, fabricators, modelers, and test campaign personnel.
Basic Qualifications:
  • M.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field, and a minimum of 12 years of related experience; or a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering or related field and a minimum of 6 years of related experience.
  • Excellent communication skills including verbal, presentation, and writing skills are required.
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Demonstrated expertise in computational fluid dynamics analysis, with an emphasis on:
    • Mesh generation
    • Steady and unsteady flows
    • Sensitivity studies
    • Validation activities
  • Expertise in computational modeling, including numerical analysis, finite element methods, and software engineering
  • Experience in software development in the C++ and Python languages
  • The ability to work flexible hours and travel
  • Experience in an R&D and/or testing environment
  • Experience executing in a high-performance computing environment
  • Use of AI/ML techniques to develop surrogate models and support scientific discovery
  • Experience in multiphysics modeling
  • Experience in parallel programming on large-scale computational clusters
  • Expertise in Matlab programming
  • Active TS/SCI Clearance is preferred

Special Requirement:
  • This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance from the Department of Energy. As such, this position is a Workplace Substance Abuse (WSAP) testing designated position. WSAP positions require passing a pre-placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program. In addition, due the SCI, you may also be subject to random polygraph testing.

Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements:
For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a Real ID compliant form of identification will be required.  Additionally, ORNL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation.
To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation.  This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year.  This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.
For foreign national candidates:
If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) risk determination to maintain employment.  Once you meet the three-year residency requirement, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment.   

This position is a full-time staff position. Remarks:

AET resides within the Nuclear Nonproliferation Division (NND) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The NND is a division operating within the National Security Sciences Directorate. NND staff contributes world class research, technology development, risk assessment, and systems analysis related to nonproliferation and counterproliferation. The division activities play a vital role in implementation of national policy issues that strive to ensure global nuclear security. One of the major focus areas of the AET group is the development of advanced approaches to operation, characterization, and analysis of nuclear fuel cycle processes. The group specializes in the application of engineering principles supporting the characterization of processes and related materials. The AET group collaborates and works with staff from other groups within NND and ORNL to assure the full expertise of fuel cycle processes are applied to meet sponsor needs.

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This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.


If you have trouble applying for a position, please email ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.


ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply.  UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.



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