Senior CAE Engineer, Robotics

Dexmate; Fremont (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Dexmate is seeking a CAE Engineer to lead finite element modeling and validation for next‑generation manipulation robots. You will integrate mechanical, electrical, controls, software, and manufacturing feedback to refine designs and improve performance. Strong background in solid mechanics and both implicit/explicit FEA is essential.

You will guide design teams, optimize weight vs. stiffness, and drive CAE workflows across the org while collaborating closely with controls and manufacturing to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Mechanics, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience using FEA/CAE tools
• Strong fundamentals in solid mechanics, structural dynamics, and material science
• Experience with both implicit and explicit finite element analysis
• Demonstrated ability to conduct static, dynamic, and durability analyses
• Strong understanding of mechanical design principles and ability to translate analysis into actionable design recommendations
• Experience with experimental validation methods and correlation between simulation and physical testing
• Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams
• Self-motivated problem solver who can work independently on challenging technical problems

Responsibilities

• Develop and analyze comprehensive finite element models for robotic systems, from individual components to full assemblies
• Conduct static, dynamic, structural, and multi-body dynamics (MBD) simulations to evaluate performance against key requirements for strength, stiffness, durability, and manipulation accuracy
• Guide mechanical design teams with actionable insights and design direction based on rigorous analysis
• Optimize structural designs to minimize weight while maximizing stiffness, reliability, and performance under real-world operational loads
• Define and analyze load cases for manipulation tasks, impacts, handling scenarios, and day-to-day operations
• Validate FEA models through experimental testing and iterate based on physical performance data
• Challenge traditional CAE methods and pioneer more efficient, accurate approaches for robotic systems
• Collaborate with controls engineers to understand dynamic load profiles and system-level performance requirements
• Support root cause analysis and failure investigation for production issues
• Develop CAE workflows, best practices, and documentation to scale analysis capabilities across the team

Skills

Finite Element Analysis

Solid mechanics

Structural dynamics

Materials science

Independent problem solving

Communication

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Mechanics, or related field

Master's degree (MS) or PhD in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

Abaqus

ANSYS

LS-DYNA

COMSOL

OptiStruct

ADAMS

Job description

ABOUT DEXMATE

Dexmate is building the foundation for physical AI — combining a new generation of robots with a universal Physical AI OS, making robots as easy to build and deploy as software. Today, robotics is fragmented, slow, and closed: most builders are forced to reinvent the same stack again and again, and most ideas never make it past the prototype stage. We exist to change that. Our mission is to democratize robotics by lowering the barrier to entry, delivering a plug-and-play platform for developers, researchers, and enterprises, and cultivating an open ecosystem that accelerates the evolution of physical AI.

If you want to help shape the next layer of human capability — and believe the future of robotics should be built together, not in isolation — we'd love to build it with you.

THE ROLE

As a CAE Engineer on the Dexmate Robotics team, you will be at the forefront of designing and validating mechanical systems for our next-generation manipulation robots. You'll guide design decisions using high-fidelity finite element models grounded in sound engineering principles, working closely with mechanical, electrical, controls, software, and manufacturing teams to bring unprecedented robotic capabilities to life.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and analyze comprehensive finite element models for robotic systems, from individual components to full assemblies


• Conduct static, dynamic, structural, and multi-body dynamics (MBD) simulations to evaluate performance against key requirements for strength, stiffness, durability, and manipulation accuracy


• Guide mechanical design teams with actionable insights and design direction based on rigorous analysis


• Optimize structural designs to minimize weight while maximizing stiffness, reliability, and performance under real-world operational loads


• Define and analyze load cases for manipulation tasks, impacts, handling scenarios, and day-to-day operations


• Validate FEA models through experimental testing and iterate based on physical performance data


• Challenge traditional CAE methods and pioneer more efficient, accurate approaches for robotic systems


• Collaborate with controls engineers to understand dynamic load profiles and system-level performance requirements


• Support root cause analysis and failure investigation for production issues


• Develop CAE workflows, best practices, and documentation to scale analysis capabilities across the team

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Mechanics, or related field with 5+ years of experience OR Master's degree with 3+ years of experience OR PhD in designing and analyzing mechanical systems using FEA and CAE tools


• 3+ years of experience in designing and analyzing mechanical systems using FEA and CAE tools


• Strong fundamentals in solid mechanics, structural dynamics, and material science


• Proficiency in CAE software (Abaqus, ANSYS, LS-DYNA, COMSOL, OptiStruct, or equivalent)


• Experience with both implicit and explicit finite element analysis


• Demonstrated ability to conduct static, dynamic, and durability analyses


• Strong understanding of mechanical design principles and ability to translate analysis into actionable design recommendations


• Experience with experimental validation methods and correlation between simulation and physical testing


• Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams


• Self-motivated problem solver who can work independently on challenging technical problems

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced degree (MS/PhD) in Mechanical Engineering or related field


• Experience in robotics, automation, or mechatronics industries


• Proficiency with multi-body dynamics simulation (ADAMS, MuJoCo, PyBullet)


• Experience analyzing aluminum structures, composites, and advanced materials


• Knowledge of advanced joining methods (adhesives, welding, mechanical fasteners)


• Expertise in non-linear analysis, contact mechanics, and material characterization


• Proficiency in programming/scripting for automation (Python, MATLAB)


• Experience with CAD software (SolidWorks, OnShape, CATIA, NX, etc.)


• Familiarity with structural dynamics, vibration analysis, and modal testing


• Experience with thermal-structural coupling and multi-physics simulations


• Understanding of manufacturing processes and design for manufacturability


• Knowledge of fatigue analysis and life prediction methodologies