Applied Mechanics Leader

Daikin Applied Americas•Plymouth, MN

2d•$126,100 - $221,900•Hybrid

About The Position

Daikin Applied is seeking an Applied Mechanics Leader to own the mechanical analysis, simulation, and testing capability that turns product requirements into robust, manufacturable designs. The role leads a team of analysts and engineers applying structural, thermal, dynamic, and multiphysics methods to reduce risk early, shorten development cycles, and solve complex technical problems. The leader serves as the technical authority on applied mechanics—including structures, fluid flow, and acoustics—across programs and partners with design, materials, manufacturing, and test teams. The position sets technical direction for applied mechanics methods, tools, standards, and best practices; reviews critical-program analyses; and develops confidence in predictive models through correlation with physical test data. It also leads, mentors, hires, and develops a team; allocates resources across programs; and collaborates across functions to resolve design, manufacturing, and reliability issues. The role builds capability through simulation tools and workflows, validation and verification practices, documentation and model governance, test capability, and management of budgets for software, equipment, and external consultants. The position is hybrid in Plymouth, Minnesota. Work visa sponsorship is not available. Typical annual base salary is $126,100–$221,900, plus a 25% bonus in Minnesota. Individual base pay depends on skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Employment is contingent on successful completion of applicable pre-employment requirements, including employment and education verification, background screening, and drug testing where permitted by law.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Mechanics, or a related field.
10+ years of experience in mechanical analysis or applied mechanics.
3+ years leading technical teams or programs.
Deep expertise in finite element analysis, such as ANSYS, Abaqus, Nastran, or LS-DYNA, and a strong grasp of solid mechanics, dynamics, and materials behavior.
Experience with fatigue, fracture, or durability analysis and physical test correlation.
Previous experience managing and leading CFD, thermal analysis, and multiphysics coupled analysis.
Deep expertise in acoustic theory, noise mitigation, and acoustic simulation methods such as boundary elements and statistical element analysis, as well as acoustic test methods.
Proven ability to translate complex technical results into clear recommendations for decision-makers.
Strong leadership, coaching, and stakeholder management skills.

Nice To Haves

Master's or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Mechanics, or a related field.
Experience in refrigeration systems.
Scripting and automation skills in Python or MATLAB for pre/post-processing and workflow development.
Knowledge of relevant standards and certification processes, such as ASME, ASTM, ASHRAE, and ISO.
Experience with composites, additive manufacturing, or advanced materials.
Professional Engineer (PE) license or equivalent.
Exposure to machine learning or data-driven methods applied to engineering problems.

Responsibilities

Set technical direction for applied mechanics engineering, including structures, fluid flow, acoustics, analysis and simulation methods, tools, standards, and best practices.
Serve as the escalation point for complex problems in structural integrity, fatigue and fracture, vibration, thermal-mechanical behavior, fluid flow, and failure analysis.
Review and approve analysis plans, models, and results for critical programs.
Drive correlation between simulation and physical test data to build confidence in predictive models.
Lead, mentor, and develop a team of model-based engineers; hire, set goals, conduct performance reviews, and build a pipeline of technical talent.
Allocate resources across concurrent programs and balance workload against priorities.
Foster a culture of rigor, curiosity, and knowledge sharing.
Embed analysis early in design so decisions are made with quantitative insight.
Partner with design, materials, manufacturing, quality, and test engineering to resolve design-for-manufacturing and reliability issues.
Communicate technical findings, risks, and trade-offs to engineering leadership, program managers, and customers.
Support design reviews, root cause investigations, and corrective action processes.
Evaluate and introduce simulation tools, automation, and workflows, such as parametric studies, optimization, and reduced-order models.
Establish validation and verification practices, documentation standards, and model governance.
Build test capability in collaboration with lab and test groups.
Manage budgets for software licenses, test equipment, and external consultants.