CAE Specialist – 1D Thermal Simulation

Swj Technology•Charlotte, NC

1d•Onsite

About The Position

SWJ Technologie specializes in providing engineering, planning, and project management services across various industries. We are currently seeking a CAE Specialist for an assigned project with a client in the automotive industry. The role is based in Novi, MI or Charlotte NC and requires onsite presence and 20% domestics travel. We are seeking a CAE Specialist with expertise in 1D Thermal Simulation to support the development and optimization of vehicle thermal and HVAC systems. This role focuses on building and correlating system-level models to evaluate thermal performance, energy efficiency, and cabin comfort across electric and hybrid vehicle platforms. The ideal candidate will work cross-functionally to influence design decisions from concept through production.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Thermal/Fluid Systems Engineering or related field
Experience in thermal simulation or HVAC system development in automotive or related industries
Strong experience in 1D thermal system simulation and modeling
Expertise in HVAC and vehicle thermal systems
Knowledge of: Refrigeration cycles Heat transfer and fluid dynamics Battery and power electronics thermal management
Experience with CAE tools (e.g., GT-SUITE or similar 1D simulation tools)
Ability to analyze complex multi-domain systems
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Experience correlating simulation with physical test data
Effective communication and cross-functional collaboration skills
Willingness to travel

Nice To Haves

Experience with electrified vehicle thermal systems (EV/HEV/PHEV)
Familiarity with co-simulation environments (e.g., controls + thermal)
Knowledge of vehicle energy management strategies
Experience with climatic testing and validation processes
Scripting or automation experience for simulation workflows
Understanding of regulatory requirements related to HVAC and thermal systems
Experience working in cross-functional product development teams
Experience with Volkswagen

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain 1D thermal system models covering: Coolant loops Refrigerant cycles Cabin HVAC and climate control Battery thermal systems Power electronics cooling
Simulate transient and steady-state thermal behavior across varying: Ambient conditions Drive cycles Load scenarios
Perform HVAC airflow and cabin comfort simulations, including: Blower sizing Duct pressure drop analysis Heat exchanger performance evaluation
Use simulation insights to drive component sizing and selection: Compressors, chillers, evaporators, heater cores Pumps, valves, fans, ducts, and lines
Analyze interactions between thermal subsystems (HVAC, battery, propulsion cooling).
Evaluate system-level energy consumption and support vehicle efficiency optimization.
Support development of thermal control strategies, including: Compressor operation maps Coolant flow management Cabin climate control logic
Correlate simulation models with test data from: Bench testing Wind tunnel testing Climatic chambers Vehicle-level testing
Conduct sensitivity analyses and trade-off studies to optimize system design.
Support development of validation test plans and instrumentation strategies.
Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams: HVAC design Thermal hardware Controls engineering Vehicle integration Energy management
Provide actionable engineering recommendations based on simulation results.
Communicate findings through reports, presentations, and data visualization for technical and executive stakeholders.