Lead CAE Engineer - Vehicle Structural Simulation

applied; Sunnyvale (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Applied Intuition, Inc. is seeking a CAE Engineer to build and own the hardware simulation capability for vehicle programs. You will define load cases, build the CAE process, select tools, and lead external contractors to scale analysis across projects.

You will collaborate with mechanical design and program teams to feed simulation into early design decisions, set design guidelines, and mentor engineers to raise simulation quality across the organization.

Qualifications

• BS/MS/PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a similar field.
• 7+ years of CAE/FEA experience in automotive, commercial vehicle, aerospace, agriculture, construction, or defense.
• Experience with major FEA suites (Abaqus/ANSYS/Nastran/LS-DYNA/OptiStruct) and pre-processors (HyperMesh/ANSA).
• Experience defining load cases and load profiles from requirements or data.
• Experience managing external contractors or engineering service providers.
• Strong grasp of structural dynamics, fatigue, and material behavior.
• Understanding of correlating simulation to physical test results.

Responsibilities

• Define load profiles and analysis requirements (static, shock, vibration, durability/fatigue, thermal).
• Build a scalable analysis process.
• Evaluate, select, and deploy CAE tools.
• Scope and manage contractors, including SOWs and schedules.
• Perform and review structural, modal, random vibration, fatigue, and thermal analysis.
• Correlate simulation results with physical test data with hardware validation teams.
• Work with design teams to feed simulation into early design decisions and set guidelines.
• Mentor engineers and set technical standards for simulation quality.

Skills

CAE/FEA experience

Load case definition

Contractor management

Structural dynamics

Thermal analysis

Education

BS/MS/PhD in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Abaqus

ANSYS

Nastran

LS-DYNA

OptiStruct

HyperMesh

ANSA

Job description

Applied Intuition, Inc. is seeking a CAE Engineer to build and own the hardware simulation capability for vehicle programs. You will define load cases, build the CAE process, select tools, and lead external contractors to scale analysis across projects.

You will collaborate with mechanical design and program teams to feed simulation into early design decisions, set design guidelines, and mentor engineers to raise simulation quality across the organization.