Senior CAE engineer

Dexmate•Santa Clara, CA

20h

About The Position

As a CAE Engineer on the Dexmate Robotics team, you will be at the forefront of designing and validating mechanical systems for our next-generation manipulation robots. You'll guide design decisions using high-fidelity finite element models grounded in sound engineering principles, working closely with mechanical, electrical, controls, software, and manufacturing teams to bring unprecedented robotic capabilities to life.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Mechanics, or related field with 5+ years of experience OR Master's degree with 3+ years of experience OR PhD in designing and analyzing mechanical systems using FEA and CAE tools
3+ years of experience in designing and analyzing mechanical systems using FEA and CAE tools
Strong fundamentals in solid mechanics, structural dynamics, and material science
Proficiency in CAE software (Abaqus, ANSYS, LS-DYNA, COMSOL, OptiStruct, or equivalent)
Experience with both implicit and explicit finite element analysis
Demonstrated ability to conduct static, dynamic, and durability analyses
Strong understanding of mechanical design principles and ability to translate analysis into actionable design recommendations
Experience with experimental validation methods and correlation between simulation and physical testing
Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams
Self-motivated problem solver who can work independently on challenging technical problems

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree (MS/PhD) in Mechanical Engineering or related field
Experience in robotics, automation, or mechatronics industries
Proficiency with multi-body dynamics simulation (ADAMS, MuJoCo, PyBullet)
Experience analyzing aluminum structures, composites, and advanced materials
Knowledge of advanced joining methods (adhesives, welding, mechanical fasteners)
Expertise in non-linear analysis, contact mechanics, and material characterization
Proficiency in programming/scripting for automation (Python, MATLAB)
Experience with CAD software (SolidWorks, OnShape, CATIA, NX, etc.)
Familiarity with structural dynamics, vibration analysis, and modal testing
Experience with thermal-structural coupling and multi-physics simulations
Understanding of manufacturing processes and design for manufacturability
Knowledge of fatigue analysis and life prediction methodologies

Responsibilities

Develop and analyze comprehensive finite element models for robotic systems, from individual components to full assemblies
Conduct static, dynamic, structural, and multi-body dynamics (MBD) simulations to evaluate performance against key requirements for strength, stiffness, durability, and manipulation accuracy
Guide mechanical design teams with actionable insights and design direction based on rigorous analysis
Optimize structural designs to minimize weight while maximizing stiffness, reliability, and performance under real-world operational loads
Define and analyze load cases for manipulation tasks, impacts, handling scenarios, and day-to-day operations
Validate FEA models through experimental testing and iterate based on physical performance data
Challenge traditional CAE methods and pioneer more efficient, accurate approaches for robotic systems
Collaborate with controls engineers to understand dynamic load profiles and system-level performance requirements
Support root cause analysis and failure investigation for production issues
Develop CAE workflows, best practices, and documentation to scale analysis capabilities across the team