FEA Simulation Engineer

The OpportunityA unique dual role at a premier FEA/CFD consultancy: 60% FEA simulation consulting across Predictive Engineering’s international client base, and 40% Technical Authority for the full Altair/Siemens simulation portfolio through our sister company, AppliedCAx. You will solve problems that most simulation engineers never encounter -- from hypersonic structural dynamics and rocket motor thermals to nuclear component qualification and submarine buckling.Following Siemens’ $10 billion acquisition of Altair in March 2025, this role spans the broadest AI-powered simulation ecosystem in the industry: HyperWorks, OptiStruct, Radioss, AcuSolve, and PhysicsAI alongside Simcenter and STAR-CCM+. No single-vendor role offers this breadth. As Technical Authority, you will engage VP-level and C-suite engineering leadership as a recognized SME, deliver technical presentations and webinars, and contribute to methodology publications and conference proceedings. You will not be a vendor rep -- you will be the technical authority your clients cannot find elsewhere.What You Must Have:•       Minimum 5 years full-time simulation engineering experience with direct FEA project delivery.•       PhD with coursework in solid mechanics, structural dynamics, or continuum mechanics. •       Demonstrable technical communication skills: clear engineering reports and confident oral presentations to senior audiences.•       US person status required (ITAR/EAR export control compliance).What Sets You Apart:•       Graduate coursework or research in nonlinear dynamics, composites, elasticity, plates and shells, or fracture mechanics. Academic depth is respected here -- the Founder holds a PhD in materials science.•       Hands-on experience with FEA simulation tools, e.g.; ANSYS, LS-DYNA, Nastran, Altair HyperWorks tools: HyperMesh, OptiStruct, Radioss, AcuSolve, SimSolid, or HyperStudy. Siemens Simcenter 3D or STAR-CCM+ experience is a meaningful plus.•       Breadth across analysis disciplines: topology optimization, explicit crash/impact, fatigue life, linear dynamics (PSD, seismic), or FSI/CFD/SPH/ALE methods.•       Interest in AI-enhanced simulation: Altair PhysicsAI, surrogate modeling (romAI), ML-driven optimization, or Altair RapidMiner. Conference presentations or peer-reviewed publications are a welcome signal.What Your Work Life Looks Like:There is very little repetition at Predictive Engineering. Monday morning you are finalizing a nonlinear contact analysis on a composite pressure vessel for a space launch client. After lunch you shift to a structural dynamic model for a small satellite whose PDR is in three weeks. By end of week you are preparing an OptiStruct topology optimization demonstration for a defense prime’s Chief Engineer, who asks you to lead the full program simulation assessment on the spot. The following week, you travel to deliver a HyperWorks AI workflow presentation for a nuclear fusion company, return to Portland, review results with Dr. Laird, and submit a conference abstract to an engineering conference.Compensation and Benefits:Total compensation of $143,000-$198,000 comprising a base of $130,000-$180,000 plus a quarterly performance bonus of up to 2.5%, paid each quarter when AppliedCAx makes its quota to Siemens Digital Industries Software.Benefits: 20 days combined vacation/sick leave, nine paid holidays, comprehensive health plan, and 401(k) with up to 5% employer match (rising to 10% at three years). Company-funded continuing education and one professional conference of your choice per year. After three years, unlimited paid leave.We support hybrid/flexible work with five to ten days per month in our modern PDX office; this is negotiable based on your history. Portland offers no state sales tax, outstanding outdoor recreation, and a cost of living well below Seattle or the Bay Area. We actively fund conference presentations (Altair ATCx, NAFEMS World Congress, AIAA, SAE, ASME) and support NAFEMS PSE certification.How to Apply:Send a brief cover letter and resume to Careers@PredictiveEngineering.com. An example of your analysis work -- a plot, figure, or published result you are proud of -- is welcome. Keep your submittal concise. Every qualifying submission receives a direct reply. Predictive Engineering, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply.