CAE Principal Software Architect (Design)

divergent; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Divergent is seeking a Principal Software Architect to lead the architecture and development of high-performance 3D CAE desktop and web applications. This role mandates technical leadership across engineering software programs, establishing reusable practices and scalable design across the DES suite.

You will guide architectural decisions, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and mentor engineers to ensure performance, reliability, and maintainability of complex computational design tools.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in software architecture and desktop application development.
• Proven ability to design high-performance 3D applications in CAE/CAD/PLM environments.
• Strong understanding of graphics/ rendering pipelines and UI architecture.
• Experience leading technical initiatives across multiple projects and teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead architecture and design of high-performance 3D CAE desktop and web apps across programs.
• Establish frameworks, design patterns, and methodologies to improve efficiency and scalability.
• Architect GPU-enabled job execution and scheduling systems for compute-intensive workflows.
• Drive innovation in graphics rendering, UI design, performance, and software integration.
• Define approaches for interactive 3D visualization and reliable engineering workflows.
• Provide technical direction and mentor engineers across teams.

Skills

Software architecture

Desktop app development

3D visualization

Leadership & mentoring

UI architecture

Tools

Siemens NX

Teamcenter

Job description

Divergent is building the new industrial age. Every day, our teams design, manufacture, and assemble advanced systems for some of the world's most demanding industries. Our integrated engineering and manufacturing platform transforms complex designs into production-ready solutions, helping customers move faster, build smarter, and deliver critical systems when they matter most. Divergent is a qualified Tier 1 supplier to global automotive OEMs and supports leading U.S. aerospace and defense companies.

Join us and help push the boundaries of what can be built.

Purpose

Divergent's Design and Engineering Systems (DES) organization is seeking a Principal Software Architect to lead the architecture and development of high-performance, interactive 3D desktop and web-based computer-aided engineering (CAE) applications.

This role serves as a recognized technical expert in desktop application architecture, driving innovation across engineering software programs and disciplines. The Principal Software Architect establishes application frameworks, develops technical methodologies, and delivers cross-functional solutions that improve development efficiency, application performance, and software quality across the DES suite.

Through technical leadership and collaboration, this individual addresses complex architectural challenges, establishes reusable engineering practices, and guides development teams in delivering scalable applications that support Divergent's computational design capabilities.

The Role

• Lead the architecture and design of high-performance, interactive 3D desktop and web-based CAE applications across multiple engineering programs or technical disciplines.
• Establish application frameworks, software design patterns, and architectural methodologies that improve development efficiency, scalability, maintainability, and reuse.
• Architect and implement critical components of GPU-enabled job execution and scheduling systems supporting computationally intensive engineering workflows.
• Drive innovative solutions to complex application architecture, graphics rendering, UI design, performance, and software integration challenges.
• Define technical approaches for interactive 3D visualization, application responsiveness, resource utilization, and reliable execution of engineering workflows.
• Establish architectural frameworks and development practices that reduce technical risk and prevent fragmented application ownership.
• Lead cross-functional technical initiatives, integrating application architecture with computational design, CAE solvers, and platform capabilities.
• Provide technical direction to engineering teams, delegate implementation, and ensure architectural decisions are consistently applied.
• Mentor engineers across teams on desktop software architecture, 3D application development, software quality, and engineering best practices.
• Collaborate with DES and Platform IPT leadership to align technical solutions with program objectives and evolving computational design requirements.
• Anticipate emerging technical challenges and evaluate technologies that improve application scalability, usability, and long‑term maintainability.
• Define and track technical outcomes related to application performance, development efficiency, software reliability, and architectural reuse.

Basic Qualifications

• Ability to lawfully access information and technology subject to U.S. export controls.
• Extensive experience in software architecture and desktop application development.
• Demonstrated expertise designing and developing high-performance, interactive 3D applications, preferably within CAE, CAD, PLM, or engineering software environments.
• Proven ability to solve complex, ambiguous technical problems and develop innovative software architecture solutions.
• Strong understanding of graphics and rendering pipelines, UI architecture, desktop software frameworks, and application performance optimization.
• Experience developing reusable software frameworks, architectural methodologies, and technical standards.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical initiatives across multiple projects, programs, or disciplines.
• Experience providing technical direction, mentoring engineers, and influencing implementation decisions across teams.
• Familiarity with engineering software ecosystems such as Siemens NX, Teamcenter, or comparable CAE and PLM platforms.

Preferred Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in software engineering, industrial applications, CAE, CAD, PLM, scientific computing, or related technical domains.
• Experience architecting GPU compute systems, clustered GPU workloads, job scheduling, or distributed execution frameworks.
• Experience integrating topology optimization, computational geometry, simulation, or CAE solvers into interactive desktop applications.
• Experience with modern desktop application frameworks and interactive 3D visualization technologies.
• Track record of delivering software used by mechanic