Principal Engineer CFD

About the Role 

Working within the Technology team and aligned with NOV’s global engineering strategy, you will take responsibility for the technical aspects of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and scaled physical testing activities. 

You will act as a key technical focal point for CFD across the global organisation, providing guidance on analysis approaches and supporting both customer projects and internal technology development. This role combines deep technical expertise with ownership of capability development, requiring a pragmatic, hands-on approach to problem solving and workload management. 

 

About the Company 

NOV delivers technology-driven solutions that support the global energy and industrial sectors. With a heritage dating back to 1862, we are known for innovation, quality, and reliability. 

We operate globally, providing engineering expertise and advanced technologies that enable our customers to improve efficiency, safety, and performance across a wide range of applications. 

 

What We Offer 

• Stable, long-term employment in a global organization 
• Opportunity to shape and develop global CFD capability and influence technology direction 
• Opportunities to contribute to continuous improvement and innovation initiatives 
• A strong safety-first culture with clear procedures and support 
• Professional development and training opportunities 
• Competitive compensation and benefits package (country-specific) 

 

Key Responsibilities 

Technical Expertise & Delivery 

• Provide subject matter expertise in CFD and scaled physical testing 
• Support both customer-funded studies and internal technology development 
• Advise on appropriate simulation and testing approaches across projects 
• Ensure high-quality technical output aligned with best practices 

 

Capability Development 

• Develop and maintain global CFD and scaled testing capability 
• Continuously review and improve best practice procedures 
• Drive workflow improvements, including automation where applicable 

 

Collaboration & Business Support 

• Work with technology engineers to support development of engineering solutions 
• Build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders 
• Support technical business development and represent NOV at industry events 

 

Governance & Compliance 

• Ensure adherence to company QA standards and documentation processes 
• Maintain compliance with HSE policies and company procedures 
• Support recruitment activities and resource planning as required 
• Contribute to training, mentoring, and knowledge sharing within the team 

 

Qualifications & Skills 

Essential 

• MSc in Engineering (fluid dynamics or related field) 
• Experience in multiphase CFD analysis using commercial codes 
• Experience in scaled physical testing related to multiphase flow systems, separation processes, or particulate handling 
• Strong familiarity with engineering and/or coding platforms 

 

Desirable 

• Understanding of uncertainty and error analysis in CFD and experiments 
• Programming capability (e.g. Python, VBA) 
• Hands-on experience building small-scale test setups and supporting software 

 

Soft Skills 

• Strong problem-solving skills with a pragmatic, hands-on approach 
• Ability to prioritise and manage workload effectively 
• Clear communication of technical topics to a range of stakeholders 
• Strong collaboration skills and ability to work across teams 
• Professionalism and accountability in all aspects of work 

 

Why Join Us? 

You’ll join a global organisation where safety, quality, and innovation are at the core of everything we do. This role offers a hands-on technical environment where you can directly impact technology development while working alongside experienced professionals across multiple disciplines and regions. 

 

Join our Global Family 

At NOV, we are committed to supporting your personal, financial, and professional wellbeing. Our comprehensive benefits package includes: 

Health & Wellbeing  Private Medical Insurance  Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) 

Finance & Protection  Pension Plan  Income Protection  Life Assurance  Personal Accident Coverage 

Flexible Benefits  Dental Insurance  Healthcare Cash Plan  Critical Illness Cover  Gym Membership  Cycle to Work Scheme  Travel Insurance  Retail Vouchers 

Every day, the oil and gas industry’s best minds put more than 150 years of experience to work to help our customers achieve lasting success.

We Power the Industry that Powers the World Throughout every region in the world and across every area of drilling and production, our family of companies has provided the technical expertise, advanced equipment, and operational support necessary for success—now and in the future.

Global Family We are a global family of thousands of individuals, working as one team to create a lasting impact for ourselves, our customers, and the communities where we live and work.

Purposeful Innovation Through purposeful business innovation, product creation, and service delivery, we are driven to power the industry that powers the world better.

Service Above All This drives us to anticipate our customers’ needs and work with them to deliver the finest products and services on time and on budget.

Corporate

Our family of companies is supported by our global Corporate teams, providing expert knowledge from functions including Human Resources, Information Technology, Compliance, Finance, QHSE, Marketing and Legal centers of expertise.  We are structured to provide guidance and service above all to all our business operations.