Advice: Career in CFD w/BS

Venomous

I had been involved with CFD as an undergraduate which included some CFD work as an Intern then I tailored my Bachelors degree with some graduate courses in CFD and advanced fluid dynamics. I did very well in these and all of my courses. I was subsequently hired to do CFD with a BS in mechanical engineering. I now have 3 years of successful experience using Fluent & Gambit. I still enjoy all that makes CFD possible and am studying mutiphase flow with particles on my own time, so I continue to learn every day while I get the chance to apply CFD to industrial problems during the day.

My problem is that I am now highly underpaid and undereducated for what I'm accomplishing, as well as highly dissatisfied with my current employer who wishes to make ever increasing amounts of money from my work. This is after only 2 years out of school. If I leave they loose alot of experience as I am the most experienced with their equipment and models. If I leave, should I pursue graduate school and finish up as quick as possible (I have bills & kids to support) or should I expect a potential employer to see me as an Engineer with a history of success and great skills (as I would expect) in spite of not having grad school.

I don't mind school, but I did turn down a full scholorship to graduate school to take this job thinking that the experience would help me out. I don't like writing code for CFD or anything else, that is why I turned down the scholorship. I like engineering and CFD has been my main problem solving tool.

Can I really expect to find an employer who will hire me with a BS for CFD work, or should I really suck it up and get through grad school quickly as possible?

Thanks for allowing me to vent. I could contiue, but I think you have the picture.