CAE Engineer

Optimal; Plymouth Charter Township (MI); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Optimal in Michigan is seeking a CAE Engineer to strengthen durability, vibration, and structural analyses. You will collaborate with design and test teams to validate performance and drive continuous process improvements, using leading CAE tools and expanding into automation.

The role emphasizes hands-on use of Abaqus, Nastran, and nCode, with opportunities to grow into CFD, vehicle dynamics, and EV electromagnetics, while contributing to weight optimization for bus floor plans.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Experience with CAE tools such as Abaqus, Nastran and nCode.
• Familiarity with meshers HyperMesh or ANSA.

Responsibilities

• Perform durability and vibration analysis using Abaqus, Nastran, and nCode.
• Coordinate and/or conduct testing for load data collection and design validation.
• Collaborate with meshing teams and perform basic meshing using HyperMesh or ANSA.
• Prepare and present detailed CAE analysis reports.
• Provide actionable feedback to design and engineering teams to improve product performance.
• Conduct weight calculations for bus floor plans to support sales and engineering decisions.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Communication

Coding basics

AI-based techniques

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Abaqus

Nastran

nCode

HyperMesh

ANSA

Job description

Job Title: CAE Engineer

Job Summary

We are seeking a skilled and motivated CAE Engineer to support durability, vibration, and structural analysis activities. This role involves close collaboration with cross-functional teams to ensure design integrity, performance validation, and continuous improvement of engineering processes. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience with CAE tools and a strong interest in expanding into advanced simulation and automation technologies.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform durability and vibration analysis using tools such as Abaqus, Nastran, and nCode
• Coordinate and/or conduct testing for load data collection and design validation
• Collaborate with meshing teams and perform basic meshing using HyperMesh or ANSA
• Prepare and present detailed CAE analysis reports
• Provide actionable feedback to design and engineering teams to improve product performance
• Conduct weight calculations for bus floor plans to support sales and engineering decisions

Preferred / Developmental Skills

• Develop and apply basic coding skills and AI-based techniques to automate CAE processes and improve efficiency
• Gain exposure to and gradually perform:
• CFD and thermal analysis
• Vehicle dynamics simulations using ADAMS
• Support development of electromagnetic field modeling capabilities for electric vehicles (EVs)
• Contribute to vehicle control algorithm development (long-term opportunity for interested candidates)

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field
• Experience with CAE tools such as Abaqus, Nastran, and nCode
• Familiarity with meshing tools like HyperMesh or ANSA
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills
• Ability to work in a collaborative, cross-functional environment