Senior Occupant Safety Engineer

Sumitomo Electric; Troy (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Sumitomo Electric seeks a Senior Occupant Safety Engineer in Troy, MI to lead CAE work for occupant protection. You will develop LS-Dyna models, tune airbags and restraints, and ensure correlation with CAD data and lab tests throughout the program lifecycle.

The role requires a Bachelor’s in engineering, 8–10 years of experience, and deep knowledge of US safety standards (FMVSS-208/214, US-NCAP, IIHS). This is a contract position based in Troy, with work authorization to operate in the United

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Automotive Engineering, Biomechanics or equivalent.
• 8–10 years relevant experience.
• Proficiency with LS-Dyna modelling and common pre/post-processing tools.
• Familiarity with Humanetics CAE dummy model.
• Understanding of NA safety protocols (FMVSS-208/214, US-NCAP, IIHS).

Responsibilities

• Develop CAE occupant models in LS-Dyna for frontal and side impact.
• Tune airbags, seat belts, steering columns and interior components for energy absorption.
• Correlate CAE models with CAD data and validation test results.
• Collaborate with DREs and suppliers to ensure proper model integration.
• Support occupant safety targets across program phases through Start-of-Production.

Skills

Occupant safety engineering

Automotive safety protocols

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or automotive engineering

Tools

LS-Dyna modelling

Ansa/Meta

Hyperworks

LS-PrePost

Humanetics CAE dummy model

Job description

Position: Senior Occupant Safety Engineer

Sector: Body, Structures & Chassis

Location: Troy, MI USA

*Applicants MUST have proof of immediate, on-going and valid eligibility to work full time in the United States*

About the company

My client is an innovative American automotive manufacturer focused on redefining affordable electric mobility. They are developing a new generation of purpose-built electric vehicles with an emphasis on simplicity, modular design, and customer customisation.

They are looking for a Senior Occupant Safety Engineer to join their expanding team on a Contract basis. The role will be based in Troy, MI.

Job Description:

• Our Client is looking for an energetic, organized, experienced Sr. Occupant Safety Engineer to join their growing team.
• The Sr. Occupant Safety Engineer will develop CAE models for occupant protection virtual analysis.
• This engineer will be responsible for tuning airbags, seat belts and all relevant interior components regarding their energy absorption capabilities.
• This role is applicable to both frontal and side impact while the development targets are laid out in the Clients’ occupant safety scorecard which covers the North American safety regulations as well as US consumer information protocols, and the Clients’ internal due care targets.
• This Engineer will be responsible for keeping the occupant protection CAE model at the highest quality level with regards to latest CAD data and correct assumptions for component CAE model correlation.
• This will include the occasional attendance at test labs to ensure alignment between physical testing and CAE modelling assumptions.
• This Engineer will report to the Virtual Engineering Manager.
• Develop CAE occupant models in LS-Dyna for frontal and side impact
• Collaborate with responsible DREs and associated component suppliers to ensure component CAE models are properly correlated and/or reasonable initial assumptions are being made
• Collaborate with responsible DREs and associated component suppliers to ensure the proper integration of restraints and interior component CAE models into the systems model
• Assess the system level occupant performance for all relevant impact configurations
• Optimize the performance of the relevant components needed to meet occupant performance targets (airbags, seat belts, steering column, seats, instrument panel, interior trim etc.)
• Collaborate with the safety structures team in case the structural performance of the BIW does not allow meeting occupant performance targets
• Collaborate with relevant cross-functional teams in case the performance of specific components prohibits meeting the occupant performance targets (e.g. Interior Team, Chassis Team etc.)
• Collaborate with the Testing Team to ensure that the execution of physical tests is aligned with CAE component and system level assumptions/needs
• Support the delivery of the occupant safety attribute with high-quality CAE models during all program phases all the way through Start-of-Production

What you bring to the Team:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Automotive Engineering, Biomechanics or equivalent
• 8-10 years relevant experience
• Proficiency with LS-Dyna modelling including all common pre/post-processing tools (Primer, Ansa/Meta, Hyperworks, LS-PrePost etc.)
• Proficiency with the Humanetics CAE dummy model pre/post-processing
• Excellent understanding of the automotive safety protocol landscape for North America (FMVSS-208/214, US-NCAP, IIHS)
• Excellent understanding of the functionalities, tuning, and CAE modelling approaches for components like:
• Airbags for frontal and side impact protection
• Seat belts
• Seats for first and second seat row including pelvis-thorax airbag integration
• Steering columns
• Instrument panels including knee bolsters and passenger airbag integration
• Interior trim like carpet, pillar trim, headliner, and sun visors
• Excellent understanding of tuning knobs and parameters that affect the occupant response required to meet regulatory and consumer information test requirements with top performance (≥20% margin for regulatory requirements, GOOD for IIHS and 5-Star for US-NCAP)

Work Authorization Requirement:

• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis.
• Our Client are unable to offer visa sponsorship at this time.

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.

Employment is at will and may be terminated by either party at any time.

We provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. Please contact us if you need assistance in the application process