Advice on finding a CFD job in Boston, MA?

Time4Tea · July 18, 2019, 13:47

Hi,

I've been looking for a job in the Boston area as a fluid dynamics/CFD specialist for some time, but without much success. I'm wondering if anyone could give me some advice?

I am currently working as a Senior Mechanical Engineer for a large multinational in the Oil & Gas industry. I have a Masters degree in Aerospace Engineering (not PhD) from a top University in the UK. I have been working in industry for about 13 years and I have done quite a lot of CFD work in FLUENT over the past several years. I am very interested in fluid dynamics and CFD and I am trying to find a position where I can specialize further in that area; face more demanding technical challenges and deepen my knowledge.

I have been applying for engineering jobs over the past year that have a heavy focus on fluid dynamics and CFD; however, I don't seem to be making much progress. There seem to be very few positions being posted on online sites like LinkedIn/Indeed. I am applying for all of the ones that come up, but most of the time I don't hear anything back or receive an automated rejection e-mail. I wonder how often my resume even ends up getting seen by human eyes.

Given the low number of opportunities that come up, I get the impression that the job market for CFD positions in Boston is very competitive. Also, I can imagine there are many highly-qualified people graduating from the Boston Universities with PhDs each year, so I am probably competing against them. I would think a Masters degree with 13 years of industrial experience might be able to stand up against a fresh PhD, but I know those letters can seem highly appealing to a hiring Manager. A few of the CFD-related positions I see ask specifically for a PhD and many give requirements for very specific industrial experience (the usual chicken/egg situation ...).

So, I am wondering if anyone on here is working in the Boston area and has experienced anything similar and might be able to give me some advice? What has/hasn't worked in terms of CFD job-searching?

I am serious about becoming a fluids/CFD expert and I am working hard to expand my knowledge. I am currently learning how to use OpenFOAM and reading through Moukalled's book on the Finite Volume Method.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be most welcome. Thanks in advance

FMDenaro · July 18, 2019, 13:57

Have you alreay applied for all positions?

https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/comput...obs-boston-ma/

Time4Tea · July 18, 2019, 14:08

Hi FMDenaro, thanks for your reply. Looking down that list, I have applied to many, if not most, of them. I will look through in more detail and apply to any recent ones that I haven't yet. I search on LinkedIn for 'engineer CFD' at least twice per week to look for new postings. I have applied to at least 30 similar positions - I have only had 1 in-person interview and it seems rare that I even get a phone interview.

The funny thing is, many of those same positions I see going round and round, week after week. You would think it might at least be worth them doing an interview with someone with my background ... but it seems they really want to hold out for the 'perfect' candidate.

July 18, 2019, 13:47	Advice on finding a CFD job in Boston, MA?	#1
Time4Tea Senior Member Lee Strobel Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 133 Rep Power: 9	Hi, I've been looking for a job in the Boston area as a fluid dynamics/CFD specialist for some time, but without much success. I'm wondering if anyone could give me some advice? I am currently working as a Senior Mechanical Engineer for a large multinational in the Oil & Gas industry. I have a Masters degree in Aerospace Engineering (not PhD) from a top University in the UK. I have been working in industry for about 13 years and I have done quite a lot of CFD work in FLUENT over the past several years. I am very interested in fluid dynamics and CFD and I am trying to find a position where I can specialize further in that area; face more demanding technical challenges and deepen my knowledge. I have been applying for engineering jobs over the past year that have a heavy focus on fluid dynamics and CFD; however, I don't seem to be making much progress. There seem to be very few positions being posted on online sites like LinkedIn/Indeed. I am applying for all of the ones that come up, but most of the time I don't hear anything back or receive an automated rejection e-mail. I wonder how often my resume even ends up getting seen by human eyes. Given the low number of opportunities that come up, I get the impression that the job market for CFD positions in Boston is very competitive. Also, I can imagine there are many highly-qualified people graduating from the Boston Universities with PhDs each year, so I am probably competing against them. I would think a Masters degree with 13 years of industrial experience might be able to stand up against a fresh PhD, but I know those letters can seem highly appealing to a hiring Manager. A few of the CFD-related positions I see ask specifically for a PhD and many give requirements for very specific industrial experience (the usual chicken/egg situation ...). So, I am wondering if anyone on here is working in the Boston area and has experienced anything similar and might be able to give me some advice? What has/hasn't worked in terms of CFD job-searching? I am serious about becoming a fluids/CFD expert and I am working hard to expand my knowledge. I am currently learning how to use OpenFOAM and reading through Moukalled's book on the Finite Volume Method. Any thoughts or suggestions would be most welcome. Thanks in advance

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July 18, 2019, 13:57		#2
FMDenaro Senior Member Filippo Maria Denaro Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 6,777 Rep Power: 71	Have you alreay applied for all positions? https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/comput...obs-boston-ma/

July 18, 2019, 14:08		#3
Time4Tea Senior Member Lee Strobel Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 133 Rep Power: 9	Hi FMDenaro, thanks for your reply. Looking down that list, I have applied to many, if not most, of them. I will look through in more detail and apply to any recent ones that I haven't yet. I search on LinkedIn for 'engineer CFD' at least twice per week to look for new postings. I have applied to at least 30 similar positions - I have only had 1 in-person interview and it seems rare that I even get a phone interview. The funny thing is, many of those same positions I see going round and round, week after week. You would think it might at least be worth them doing an interview with someone with my background ... but it seems they really want to hold out for the 'perfect' candidate.