Senior CAE engineer
Job description
About the role
Software engineers turn product ideas into working code. Engineers work in small teams, review each other's work, and ship in small batches. Most teams follow agile practices such as sprints and daily standups. Engineers also write tests, fix bugs, and improve performance. The field values clear communication as much as technical skill. Engineers spend part of every week on planning, code review, and debugging, not just writing new code. The ability to explain a technical decision in plain words separates strong engineers from the rest.
Key facts
What you'll do
Analysis insights translate into actionable design direction for mechanical teams to advance robotic performance.
FEA models are validated with physical test data, and models are iterated based on experimental results.
Conventional CAE approaches are challenged, and more efficient, accurate methods for robotic analysis are pioneered.
Production failures are investigated through root cause analysis, and corrective actions are supported.
Analysis workflows, standards, and documentation are created to expand analysis capacity across the team.
Requirements
A Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Mechanics, or related field is required, with 5+ years of experience, or a Master's degree with 3+ years, or a PhD in designing and analyzing mechanical systems using FEA and CAE tools.
3+ years of experience using FEA and CAE tools for mechanical system design is mandatory.
Solid mechanics, structural dynamics, and material science fundamentals are applied in analysis and decision-making.
CAE software such as Abaqus, ANSYS, LS-DYNA, COMSOL, OptiStruct, or equivalent tools is used proficiently.
Implicit and explicit finite element analysis methods are both employed in assessments.
Static, dynamic, and durability analyses are conducted to evaluate mechanical performance.
Mechanical design principles are understood and translated into concrete design recommendations.
Experimental validation methods correlate simulation results with physical testing outcomes.
Collaboration across multidisciplinary teams is enabled through clear communication.
Independent problem solving addresses challenging technical issues in robotics analysis.
Nice to have
Advanced degrees, robotics experience, multi-body dynamics simulation, composite and aluminum analysis, advanced joining methods, nonlinear analysis, scripting, CAD proficiency, vibration analysis, multi-physics simulation, and fatigue prediction are preferred when available.
Skills & tools
Analysis workflows rely on FEA platforms, multi-body dynamics tools, scripting for automation, and CAD systems.
Practical notes
This role is based in the Fremont Office for full-time employment. Typical interview steps
Hiring for engineering roles usually starts with a recruiter screen, followed by one or two technical rounds. Candidates often solve a coding problem, discuss past projects, and answer system design questions. Some loops include a take-home task. Final rounds typically cover team fit and give candidates a chance to ask questions. Interviewers look for how you break down an unfamiliar problem, not just whether you reach the answer. Practicing a few problems aloud and reviewing your own past projects are the best preparation.
Good to know
Robotics CAE roles combine mechanical analysis with controls integration. Common tools include Abaqus, ANSYS, and scripting for simulation automation. These positions often require correlating simulation with physical tests to validate designs.
Career growth
Engineering careers usually progress from individual contributor to senior, staff, and principal levels. Some engineers move into management and lead teams of five to twenty people. Others stay on the technical track. Growth follows demonstrated impact, not tenure alone. A typical engineering ladder has clear levels with defined expectations for scope, quality, and mentorship. Moving up usually requires owning outcomes end to end rather than completing assigned tickets.
About the company
We are an early-stage robotics startup working on building multi-purpose mobile robots that can do complex manipulation tasks. We are looking for a creative, skilled, and motivated research scientists to join our founding team in advancing robot manipulation capabilities.