CAE Optimization Engineer

Prospance Inc; Newark (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Cutting-edge CAE optimization challenges

Collaborative engineering environment

Job summary

A leading automotive engineering firm in California is seeking an experienced engineer to support vehicle design and engineering teams. You will execute advanced structural optimization studies and collaborate across multiple domains, influencing vehicle performance and architecture. The ideal candidate has a degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, with extensive experience in CAE tools like OptiStruct and NASTRAN. This role offers an opportunity to work on high-impact engineering challenges in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or related field.
• 4+ years of engineering experience with 1-2 years on CAE optimization.
• Strong fundamentals in finite element analysis (FEA) and structural mechanics.

Responsibilities

• Set up and execute structural optimization studies.
• Interpret optimization results and propose manufacturable design solutions.
• Perform subsystem and full-vehicle level optimization.

Skills

Finite Element Analysis (FEA)

Structural Optimization

Analytical Skills

Collaboration

Scripting (Python or TCL)

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

OptiStruct

NASTRAN

HyperWorks

BetaCAE

Job description

Purpose & Impact

This role supports advanced vehicle design and engineering teams across multiple domains—including NVH, crash, durability, and manufacturing—by applying CAE-driven structural optimization techniques. You will play a key role in reducing vehicle mass, improving performance, and influencing design decisions for current and next-generation vehicle platforms.

This position offers the opportunity to contribute early in the design cycle while collaborating across engineering disciplines to deliver world-class vehicle structures.

Key Responsibilities

• Set up and execute structural optimization studies, including design space definition, constraints, and objective functions.
• Interpret optimization results and propose practical, manufacturable design solutions.
• Perform subsystem and full-vehicle level optimization focused on stiffness, stress, mass, and performance.
• Apply multi-domain and multi-material optimization strategies across vehicle systems.
• Utilize industry-standard CAE tools such as OptiStruct, NASTRAN, HyperWorks, and BetaCAE.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to balance performance across NVH, crash, durability, and manufacturability.
• Provide design guidance during early concept phases to influence architecture and material selection.
• Support automation and workflow efficiency through Python or TCL scripting (preferred).

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• 4+ years of total engineering experience, including 1–2 years focused on CAE optimization.
• Strong fundamentals in finite element analysis (FEA) and structural mechanics.
• Hands-on experience with CAE optimization tools such as OptiStruct and NASTRAN.
• Familiarity with HyperWorks and BetaCAE environments.
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to translate simulation results into actionable design guidance.

Preferred Skills & Traits

• Experience working in automotive, EV, or high-performance vehicle development.
• Exposure to multi-material structures and lightweighting strategies.
• Scripting experience using Python or TCL.
• Enthusiastic, fast learner with strong problem-solving abilities.
• Collaborative team player with excellent communication skills.

Performance Evaluation

Performance will be assessed through task-based evaluations, focusing on solution quality, technical rigor, and contribution to design outcomes.

Why Join

• Influence vehicle architecture and performance at the concept and development stages.
• Work on cutting-edge CAE optimization challenges in a high-impact engineering environment.
• Collaborate with experts across design, simulation, and manufacturing disciplines.