FEA Innovator & Principal R&D Engineer

RBC Bearings Incorporated; Simpsonville (SC); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

RBC Bearings in Simpsonville, SC seeks a Senior Principal R&D Engineer - FEA to lead major multi-phase projects, guide junior team members, and stay abreast of state-of-the-art technologies affecting mechanical power transmission components.

You will drive engineering excellence, perform and oversee FEA studies (structural, thermal, fatigue, nonlinear), and mentor across disciplines while collaborating with manufacturing, quality, and product management to deliver innovative solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering required.
• 20+ years of engineering experience in design, analysis, and development of mechanical products.
• Expertise in mechanical design principles, including structural mechanics, materials, manufacturing processes, and product development.
• Significant experience performing and interpreting Finite Element Analysis (FEA).
• Advanced proficiency with commercial FEA software, preferably ANSYS; experience with Abaqus is also acceptable.
• Proven record of technical innovation demonstrated through patents, patent applications, invention disclosures, intellectual property development, or commercialization of new technologies.
• Exceptional mechanical aptitude with the ability to quickly diagnose, analyze, and solve complex engineering problems.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively convey complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the organization's principal technical expert for mechanical design, analysis, and engineering problem solving.
• Provide technical leadership across multiple product lines, development programs, and engineering disciplines.
• Mentor engineers at all levels, helping to elevate technical capabilities throughout the organization.
• Lead the resolution of the most challenging engineering and design issues.
• Drive innovation through the creation of new technologies, product concepts, and intellectual property.
• Conduct and oversee advanced analytical evaluations, including structural, thermal, fatigue, and nonlinear FEA studies.
• Establish engineering best practices, design methodologies, and analytical standards.
• Review and approve critical engineering analyses, designs, and technical recommendations.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including manufacturing, quality, product management, testing, and research organizations to ensure successful product development.
• Stay current with emerging technologies, materials, analytical methods, and industry best practices.

Skills

FEA

ANSYS

Abaqus

Mechanical design

Root cause analysis

Project management

Technical leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

ANSYS

Abaqus

2D CAD

3D CAD

Job description

RBC Bearings in Simpsonville, SC seeks a Senior Principal R&D Engineer - FEA to lead major multi-phase projects, guide junior team members, and stay abreast of state-of-the-art technologies affecting mechanical power transmission components.

You will drive engineering excellence, perform and oversee FEA studies (structural, thermal, fatigue, nonlinear), and mentor across disciplines while collaborating with manufacturing, quality, and product management to deliver innovative solutions.