Principal CFD Engineer - Hydrodynamic Systems

Role Overview

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

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
  • 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
• 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
• 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

Verterra Energy does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits.