Mechanical Engineer - FEA

Rfamec; Eden Prairie (MN); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

401k/Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Job summary

RFA Engineering is seeking an experienced Mechanical Engineer- FEA to perform structural and durability analyses for mobile and off-highway equipment. You will use FEA tools to evaluate performance, fatigue life, and durability, then collaborate with design and test teams to ensure reliability and product completion.

The role requires working with Creo/SolidWorks CAD, developing analysis plans, and delivering clear reports.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Agricultural Engineering, or related field.
• Experience or capability in structural/mechanical analysis.
• Familiarity with FEA tools such as ANSYS or NX Nastran.
• Experience with 3D solid modeling software (Creo or SolidWorks).
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a team.

Responsibilities

• Perform structural analysis using finite element methods for mobile and off-highway subsystems.
• Conduct linear/non-linear static, dynamic, and modal analyses with ANSYS/NX Nastran.
• Perform fatigue and durability evaluations using specified tools.
• Develop analysis plans, document assumptions, generate final reports and validation docs.
• Provide engineering recommendations based on analysis results and corrective actions.
• Support test planning and execution with test engineers.
• Post-test correlation between physical tests and FE models to improve accuracy.
• Utilize 3D CAD models (Creo/SolidWorks) in analysis workflow.
• Collaborate within a team and manage multiple analysis tasks to meet deadlines.

Skills

Analytical skills

Team collaboration

Written & verbal comms

Independent worker

Education

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

ANSYS

NX Nastran

Creo

SolidWorks

Job description

RFA Engineering (www.rfamec.com ) is an engineering service provider dedicated to delivering our clients with timely engineering support and expertise. We are seeking an experienced candidate to become an integral part of our engineering team. The selected candidate will work with an experienced engineering staff using state-of-the-art engineering tools & processes.

Mechanical Engineer- FEA

This position is responsible for performing structural and durability analysis to support the design and validation of mobile and off-highway equipment systems. The engineer will use finite element analysis (FEA) tools to evaluate structural performance, fatigue life, and durability, provide design recommendations, and collaborate with design and test teams to ensure products meet performance and reliability requirements. The role combines analytical modeling, test correlation, and problem-solving to drive continuous product improvement and successful project execution.

Responsibilities

• Perform structural analysis using finite element methods to support the design and development of mobile and off‑highway equipment subsystems.
• Conduct linear and non‑linear static, dynamic, and modal analyses using tools such as ANSYS and/or NX Nastran.
• Perform fatigue analysis and durability evaluations using tools such as nCode, GlyphWorks, and DesignLife.
• Develop and execute analysis plans, document assumptions, and generate clear, detailed final reports and validation documentation.
• Provide engineering recommendations to design teams based on analysis results, including proposed corrective actions and design improvements.
• Support test planning and execution, working with test engineers to develop efficient validation approaches.
• Perform post‑test correlation between physical test results and finite element models to improve analysis accuracy and methodology.
• Utilize 3D CAD models (e.g., Creo or SolidWorks) as part of the analysis workflow.
• Collaborate effectively within a team environment while managing multiple analysis tasks and meeting project deadlines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Agricultural Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Experience or demonstrated capability in structural or mechanical analysis.
• Familiarity with finite element analysis (FEA) tools such as ANSYS or NX Nastran.
• Experience with 3D solid modeling software, preferably Creo or SolidWorks.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a team‑based engineering environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience performing FEA of fabricated steel and cast structural components and systems.
• Experience correlating FEA results with test or field data.
• Familiarity with off‑highway, agricultural, or construction equipment.
• Experience applying fatigue and durability methods to mobile equipment structures.

Visa sponsorship is NOT available for this position.

Salary Range: $70,000-$85,000 – Commensurate with experience

About RFA Engineering

RFA Engineering has provided product development and engineering services to industry leading customers since 1943. Our primary focus is the development of off highway equipment including agricultural, construction, mining, recreational, industrial, and special machines. Our work includes concept development, product design, documentation, problem-solving, simulation, optimization, and testing of components, systems and complete machines. Our engineering staff is located at our Engineering Center in Minneapolis, branch office in Dubuque, IA, and at numerous customer sites throughout the U.S.

Competitive Benefits

• Health and Dental Insurance
• Health Savings Account
• TelaDoc: Virtual Health Care
• Vision Insurance
• Company Paid / Supplemental Life Insurance
• Company Paid Long-Term Disability
• Supplemental Short-Term Disability
• Retirement Savings Account (Traditional 401k & Roth 401k)
• Flexible Spending Plan Dependent Care
• Bonus Plan (Exempt Employees Only)
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
• Education Assistance

Equal Opportunity and Veteran Friendly

Qualifications

Education

Preferred

Bachelors of Science or better in Mechanical Engineering or related field.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.