Coastal CFD/Modeler

HDR; Metairie (LA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR is seeking a coastal and/or CFD modeler to join a team of nationally ranked professionals. You will model coastal resilience, sea level rise, and navigation projects using CFD and hydrodynamic methods, with emphasis on interfacing across architecture, transportation, and water domains.

Ideal candidates will have a strong background in coastal processes, numerical modeling, and data analysis, plus experience with tools like OpenFOAM, MATLAB, and Python.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in environmental engineering/science/oceanography or closely related field.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in hydrodynamic or water quality modeling projects.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently and with a project team.

Responsibilities

• Perform analysis, modeling and design of coastal resilience projects including sea level rise infrastructure assessments.
• Model coastal, hydrodynamic, and CFD phenomena for complex projects.
• Contribute to shoreline protection and navigation projects including dredging and harbors.
• Prepare technical reports and communicate findings effectively.

Skills

Coastal CFD

Hydrodynamics

Coastal modeling

Numerical modeling

HPC workflows

MATLAB

Python

Jupyter

OpenFOAM

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental engineering/science/oceanography

MS or PhD in coastal/ocean/civil engineering

Tools

MIKE 21

MIKE 3

Delft3D

USACE tools

HEC-RAS

ANSYS Fluent

FLOW-3D

Proteus

OpenFOAM

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we work to weave diversity, equity, and inclusion into our work and foster a sense of belonging throughout the company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

Watch Our Story: https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

Primary Responsibilities

HDR is looking for a coastal and/or computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeler to join our team of nationally ranked professionals. We are looking for a technical professional with the ability to perform analysis, modeling and design of coastal resilience projects including sea level rise infrastructure assessments; coastal, hydrodynamic, and CFD numerical modeling; shoreline protection projects including revetments and living shorelines; and navigation projects including dredging, marinas, and harbors.

Suitable candidates must possess strong analytical and communication skills and demonstrate familiarity with wave growth and transformation, coastal and estuarine hydrodynamics, littoral processes, sediment transport, and CFD methods for complex hydraulic, coastal, marine, multiphase, or fluid-structure interaction applications. A keen interest in interdisciplinary architecture, transportation, and water projects is a plus.

Preferred Qualifications

• MS or PhD degree
• BS degree in Coastal, Ocean, or Civil (Hydraulic, Geotechnical, or Structural emphasis) Engineering Strong academic and/or professional experience with: coastal processes, sea level rise, numerical modeling, metocean analysis, naval architecture, computational mechanics, or CFD
• Demonstrated experience with coastal, hydraulic, and marine models such as: MIKE 21, MIKE 3, Delft3D, USACE tools, ADCIRC/SWAN, HEC-RAS, and/or 3D CFD tools such as ANSYS Fluent, FLOW-3D, Proteus, OpenFOAM, or similar
• Experience with CFD code development, advanced numerical methods, artificial intelligence applications, or automation workflows for coastal, hydraulic, and marine modeling
• Strong data analysis skills, including the application of MATLAB, Python, Jupyter notebooks, high-performance computing workflows, or similar tools to analyze large model outputs and data sets
• Experience preparing technical reports
• Desire to work on local, national and international projects
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture
• Ability to become professionally licensed within 1 year from date of hire

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in environmental engineering/science, oceanography or closely related field
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in hydrodynamic or water quality modeling projects
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite
• Self-motivated, able to work independently and with a project team to completion of task
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Primary Location:United States-Louisiana-Metairie Other Locations:United States-Louisiana-Lafayette, United States-Louisiana-Baton Rouge Industry:Water Schedule:Full-time Employee Status:Regular BusinessClass:Coastal Engineering and Restoration Job Posting:Aug 6, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer (https://www.hdrinc.com/equal-employment-opportunity-employer). We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.