Exterior Structures CAE Engineer

Ford Motor Company

Automotive CAE Engineer optimizing Ford vehicle structures for safety, durability, and lightweighting. Applying FEA, MDO, and structural optimization across vehicle development.

Posted 8/10/2026full-timeDearborn • Missouri • 🇺🇸 United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $74,300 - $166,200 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in finite element analysis (FEA) and structural optimization within the automotive industry, utilizing advanced CAE tools to enhance design performance and durability. Proficient in collaborating with cross-functional teams to communicate analysis results and support design improvements.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Finite Element Analysis (FEA)Structural OptimizationMulti-Disciplinary Design Optimization (MDO)NastranAbaqus

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Finite Element Analysis (FEA)Structural OptimizationDesign of Experiments (DOE)Statistical AnalysisLinear Statics AnalysisModal AnalysisBuckling AnalysisFatigue AnalysisTopology OptimizationShape Optimization

Soft Skills

CollaborationCommunicationProblem-Solving

Tools & Technologies

OptiStructModeFRONTIERHyperMeshHyperViewANSA

Industry Keywords

Automotive EngineeringCrashworthinessDurabilityNVHManufacturing Processes

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Perform linear and nonlinear finite element analysis on automotive body structures, chassis components, and subsystems to evaluate strength, stiffness, durability, NVH, and crashworthiness performance
Apply CAE tools throughout the design cycle to support design decisions, identify potential structural issues early, and recommend design improvements
Conduct structural topology, topography, size, and shape optimization studies to achieve mass reduction targets while meeting performance and manufacturing constraints
Build and refine finite element models, including meshing, material assignment, boundary conditions, and load cases, for complex structural assemblies
Utilize multi-disciplinary optimization processes to balance mass, stiffness, durability, and cost
Correlate CAE predictions with physical test data and refine modeling methods and assumptions to improve simulation accuracy
Collaborate with design engineers, test engineers, and program managers to communicate analysis results and recommendations
Document analysis methodologies, assumptions, and results in technical reports and design review presentations
Support root-cause investigations for structural performance issues identified during testing or field use
Stay current with industry best practices, emerging simulation methods, and software capabilities in structural CAE and optimization

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related engineering discipline (required)
3 years of relevant industry experience in automotive or related structural CAE applications
Familiarity with design of experiments (DOE) and statistical analysis methods
Experience supporting vehicle programs from concept through production launch
Proficiency in finite element analysis (FEA) tools such as NASTRAN, ABAQUS, and OptiStruct
Experience applying FEA tools for linear statics, modal, buckling, fatigue, and/or nonlinear analysis
Hands-on experience using OptiStruct and modeFRONTIER or similar tools for structural optimization, including topology, topography, size, and shape optimization
Experience with multi-disciplinary design optimization (MDO) processes and workflows
Familiarity with pre/post-processing tools such as HyperMesh, HyperView, and ANSA
Understanding of automotive structural design requirements, including durability, crashworthiness, and NVH considerations
Working knowledge of manufacturing processes and their impact on structural design, including stamping, casting, and joining methods
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position

Benefits

Comp & perks

Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
Flexible family care days
Paid parental leave
New parent ramp-up programs
Subsidized back-up child care
Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement and fertility treatments
Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
Tuition assistance
Established and active employee resource groups
Paid time off for individual and team community service
Generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
Paid time off
Option to purchase additional vacation time