CFD Engineer

What you'll do

You work advanced computational fluid dynamics problems, then judge how well a model handles them. That splits two ways: solving simulation and theory problems yourself across mesh generation, turbulence modelling, multiphase flow, heat transfer and solver configuration, and reviewing AI-generated technical answers for correctness and engineering integrity, explaining why an answer is wrong in terms another engineer would accept.

Troubleshooting follows normal practice: mesh independence, turbulence model selection, boundary condition specification, convergence analysis. The written reasoning is the actual deliverable, because that is what the model learns from. Remote contractor engagement, and no prior AI experience is required.

What you need

• A bachelor's degree or higher in mechanical, aerospace or chemical engineering with a fluid dynamics or thermofluids focus, or three years of equivalent practical CFD experience
• At least three years running and validating CFD simulations: meshing, solver setup, turbulence modelling, multiphase or heat-transfer analysis, post-processing
• Working command of the Navier-Stokes equations, RANS/LES/DES turbulence modelling, meshing strategy, boundary condition specification, and verification and validation practice
• Ability to validate flow, heat-transfer and multiphysics results against experimental or analytical data
• Excellent written and spoken English; the explanations are what you are paid for

All of the above is filed under "preferred qualifications" rather than requirements, but a three-year floor and a named degree field are the bar in practice.

Nice to have

• Familiarity with ASME V&V 20, AIAA CFD verification and validation, or ITTC procedures
• Hands-on time in ANSYS Fluent, STAR-CCM+, OpenFOAM, COMSOL or Converge
• A visible record in the CFD community: authored problems, technical committee service, competition leadership, or peer-recognised contributions
• Industry background in aerospace, automotive, energy, marine, HVAC, process or biomedical simulation

What it pays

$50–150/hour, and the compensation section immediately qualifies that: pay is output-based, per task that meets the project specification, not per hour at the desk. The time a task takes is stated to vary with the expert's experience and workflow, so the hourly band describes what a fast contributor reaches, not a rate you are owed for time spent.

Minimum submission requirements also apply, and experts must submit a minimum number of tasks per week. The listing leaves that number out. Ask for it before accepting.

Worth knowing

Good:

• $50–150/hour published up front, which is strong for simulation work done from home
• Your engineering domain knowledge is the credential; no AI background is asked for
• The work draws on real engineering practice (V&V practice, turbulence model selection, convergence analysis)
• 100 openings, so this is a volume hire rather than one seat
• No weekly hours commitment is stated

Less good:

• The advertised hourly band and the output-based per-task pay structure are two different things, stated in the same ad without being reconciled
• A weekly submission minimum applies, but the listing omits the number
• A $100-wide band with no published basis for where in it you land
• Contractor engagement: no benefits, no notice period, your own tax to manage
• Expected to start within 24–48 hours of onboarding
• Neither the customer nor the expected project length is named

About this listing

Posted by micro1 on its own jobs portal, which showed it as posted on 6 September 2026; we confirmed it open on 7 September 2026. The $50–150/hour band and every qualification above are its own published text for this listing.

No country restriction is named on the ad itself, so eligibility is left open. We could not verify the per-task rate or the weekly submission minimum; neither is published. Screening and payment run at the platform level. See micro1.