CAE - Structural & Dynamics Engineer

$96,700 - $151,300/Yr

Paccar - Mount Vernon, WA

Full-time - Mid Level

Mount Vernon, WA

251-500 employees

Machinery Manufacturing

About the position

The PACCAR Technical Center is seeking an experienced CAE - Structural & Dynamics Engineer to support the development of heavy-duty trucks with best-in-class durability, ride, and handling features. The successful candidate will possess a solid background in Finite Element Analysis (FEA) simulation and calculations and be knowledgeable in vehicle dynamics concepts, including ride comfort, vehicle handling, noise, and vibration. This role involves interfacing directly with the Kenworth and Peterbilt engineering teams, planning and maintaining project schedules and budgets, and using engineering skills to predict design viability. The engineer will communicate results and recommendations to respective engineers, ensuring that the development process aligns with the company's high standards for quality and performance. In this position, the engineer will analyze components, assemblies, sub-assemblies, and full vehicles using FEA tools such as ABAQUS, Optistruct, and LSDYNA, as well as fatigue life calculation tools like n-code and FE-safe. The role requires developing simulation models, performing vehicle dynamic studies, and validating these models with test correlations. The engineer will also analyze complex simulation data to provide objective guidance on ride, handling, noise, vibration, and durability performance. Additionally, the engineer will support validation team project plans that define test deliverables, scope of activities, labor and material costs, and schedules. The successful candidate will manage the execution of multiple projects to deliver results on time and within budget, coordinating resources and working closely with support groups. Clear communication of simulation results, along with recommendations and proposals to design teams, is essential. The engineer will publish technical project reports to document test scope, methods, results, and conclusions, while continually improving simulation methods and processes used for correlation. Furthermore, the engineer will support related technical groups in the development of new vehicle technologies, including autonomous driving features and battery electric and alternative fuel vehicles.

Responsibilities

• Analyze components, assemblies, sub-assemblies, and full vehicle using FEA tools (such as ABAQUS, Optistruct, LSDYNA) and validate the models with test correlations.
• Develop simulation models and perform vehicle dynamic studies, validating the models with test correlations.
• Analyze complex simulation data and provide objective guidance on ride, handling, noise, vibration, and durability performance.
• Support validation team project plans that define test deliverables, scope of activities, labor and material costs, and schedules.
• Manage execution of multiple projects to deliver results on time and within budget, coordinating resources and working closely with support groups.
• Communicate simulation results stating clear recommendations and proposals to design teams.
• Publish technical project reports to document test scope, methods, results, and conclusions.
• Continually improve the simulation methods and processes used for correlation, while striving to meet multiple project deliverables.
• Support related technical groups in the development of new vehicle technologies, including autonomous driving features, battery electric and alternative fuel vehicles.

Requirements

• 5+ years of relevant work experience with a strong background in structural analysis (Implicit and Explicit analysis).
• Experience with multi-body dynamics, ride comfort, and/or NVH simulation is desired.
• Working knowledge of pre- and post-processors (Hypermesh, Hyperview), FEA software (ABAQUS, LSDYNA), and fatigue life calculators (n-code, FE-safe).
• Previous experience in ADAMS, Motionview, Matlab/Simulink or similar vehicle dynamics simulation tools is desired.
• Ability and desire to learn new tools and methods unique to PACCAR.
• Effective analysis and project management skills and excellent engineering judgment.
• Effective communication, administration, and presentation skills.
• Ability to manage personal workload, demonstrate flexibility, initiative, and the willingness to respond to shifting timelines and project demands.

Nice-to-haves

• Master's degree (or higher) in Mechanical Engineering preferred.

Benefits

• 401k with up to a 5% company match
• Fully funded pension plan that provides monthly benefits after retirement
• Comprehensive paid time off - minimum of 10 paid vacation days, 12 paid holidays, and sick time
• Tuition reimbursement for continued education
• Medical, dental, and vision plans for you and your family
• Flexible spending accounts (FSA) and health savings account (HSA)
• Paid short-and long-term disability programs
• Life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance
• EAP services including wellness plans, estate planning, financial counseling and more