What Is a CFD Engineer and How to Become One

By ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team

As a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) engineer, your responsibilities are to use CFD formulas to predict fluid flows and heat transfers. You use software applications such as OpenFOAM or Gerris to compute the finite element method and the finite volume method, which use partial differential equations to create two- or three-dimensional models and simulations. Your job duties include analyzing problems, building models, and proposing solutions. Your experience makes you a valuable part of research and development teams in the mechanical and chemical engineering industries as well as the automobile, aerospace, and aeronautical industries.

To pursue a career as a CFD engineer, you need a bachelor’s or master’s degree in mechanical engineering or related field. CFD stands for computational fluid dynamics. Therefore, you need a solid foundation in fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, transport phenomena, and numerical methods, along with strong computer skills. You can earn CFD-specific qualifications from professional organizations like the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) or the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).