Senior Structural and Dynamics CAE Engineer

PACCAR • Vernon, WA

2d

About The Position

PACCAR Technical Center is seeking an experienced Senior Structural and Dynamics CAE Engineer to support heavy-duty truck development. The role uses finite element analysis (FEA) and vehicle dynamics simulation to assess durability, ride quality, handling, and noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH). The engineer partners with Kenworth and Peterbilt engineering teams to evaluate design viability, validate concepts through simulation-to-test correlation, and communicate findings as actionable recommendations.

The position combines technical engineering work with project leadership, including managing timelines and cross-functional resources. It also supports emerging vehicle technologies such as electrification, autonomous systems, and alternative fuels, and contributes to continuous improvement of simulation practices and processes.

Requirements

• 10 or more years of engineering experience.
• Experience with structural CAE, durability, or vehicle dynamics.
• Experience with nonlinear FEA, such as ABAQUS or LS-DYNA.
• Experience with pre- and post-processing tools such as HyperMesh and HyperView, or equivalents.
• Understanding of fatigue and durability analysis methodologies.
• Experience correlating CAE results with test data.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Execute FEA across components, assemblies, and full-vehicle platforms using tools such as ABAQUS, Optistruct, and LSDYNA.
• Develop and validate multi-body dynamics models to support load-case development and vehicle dynamics analysis.
• Perform fatigue and durability life predictions using tools such as nCode and FE-Safe, and correlate results with physical testing data.
• Support model setup, meshing, and post-processing using HyperMesh, HyperView, or similar tools.
• Collaborate with validation teams to define data acquisition plans, review measured data, and provide simulation feedback.
• Coordinate multi-project execution, resources, and dependencies to support on-time and on-budget delivery.
• Identify and mitigate project risks and adapt to changing priorities and requirements.
• Communicate simulation results to engineering stakeholders and provide evidence-based design recommendations with quantified trade-offs and risk assessments.
• Prepare technical reports documenting methodology, validation approaches, results, and lessons learned.
• Promote effective simulation practices and identify improvements to correlation methods, tools, and processes.
• Stay current with advancements in CAE, AI/ML-assisted optimization, and digital engineering.
• Support development of battery electric vehicles, autonomous driving systems, alternative-fuel powertrains, and advanced suspension architectures.

Benefits

• Competitive salary.
• 401(k) with up to a 5% company match.
• Fully funded pension plan providing monthly retirement benefits.
• At least 10 paid vacation days, 12 paid holidays, and sick leave.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Medical, dental, and vision plans for employees and their families.
• Flexible spending accounts (FSA) and health savings account (HSA).
• Paid short- and long-term disability program.
• Life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance.
• Employee assistance program services, including wellness plans, estate planning, and financial counseling.
• Growth and development opportunities.
• Holiday gift.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior