Durability CAE Engineer (Contract Position)

Durability CAE Engineer (Contract Position-6 Months), Auburn Hills, MI. The role involves executing virtual simulations and developing designs to meet vehicle durability performance at the vehicle, system level, and component levels. This role involves close collaboration with design and testing teams to provide proactive feedback and support throughout the vehicle development process.

Responsibilities

• Lead vehicle design development using CAE while balancing durability, NVH, and vehicle safety requirements.
• Build and maintain full vehicle and system level CAE models with high accuracy and fidelity.
• Perform virtual simulations to predict fatigue life, stress distribution, and potential failure points under various load cases.
• Enhance structural performance while minimizing weight and cost (topology optimization, joints, welds/adhesives, gauges, lightweight materials, etc.).
• Summarize simulation findings clearly for development teams, highlight critical issues, and recommend design improvements.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Program Management, Studio, Body, Trim, Electrical, Electronics, Manufacturing, and other engineering teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience in vehicle durability CAE simulations.
• Strong knowledge of global durability requirements and standards
• Solid understanding of structural mechanics and first-principles physics
• Proficiency in Python, TCL, or similar scripting languages for automation and data processing.
• Demonstrated ability to correlate CAE results with physical test data and tune models for real-world accuracy.
• Experience with major CAE tools: OptiStruct, Nastran, Abaqus, LS-DYNA, Ncode, HyperWorks suite, ANSA, MetaPost. . Exposure to AI/ML-based CAE tools is a plus.
• Experience working across multiple vehicle platforms, including EV and Hybrid.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to present results and influence design decisions