Systems Engineer

The Systems Engineering team provides end-to-end, industrialized solutions encompassing the entire lifecycle of complex vehicle systems. From initial concept and requirements derivation through architecture design, integration, testing, and deployment, we ensure seamless coordination across multidisciplinary teams to deliver highly optimized, innovative, and safe vehicles.

We are seeking a highly capable and rigorous Systems CAE Engineer to drive product excellence and system integration. In this role, you will apply advanced Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) analysis and optimization techniques to automotive development, supporting key System of Interest projects. You will act as a technical authority for Multidisciplinary Design Optimization (MDO), sensitivity analysis, and system selection. By combining deep technical expertise with a holistic, highly structured approach to vehicle and system design, you will ensure that systems are optimized for cost, weight, and performance, while strictly meeting Safety, NVH, Vehicle Dynamics, and Durability KPIs.

In this position, you will do...

Advanced CAE Analysis & Simulation: Support System of Interest projects with subsystem and vehicle-level analysis using cutting-edge CAE toolsets — including Dassault 3DX (3DEXPERIENCE), Altair Hyperworks, Inspire / SimSolid, LS-Dyna, ADAMS — to meet crucial KPIs for NVH, Vehicle Dynamics, and Durability. 

• Continuously improve: CAE tools and processes, implementing new-to-Ford techniques (such as AI-driven analysis), and serve as a liaison with key CAE tool suppliers.

• System Optimization & Trade Studies: Optimize vehicle systems across cost, weight, and performance objectives. Utilize advanced optimization algorithms and software (such as ModeFRONTIER and 3DX Abaqus/Tosca / Altair Optistruct) to conduct Multidisciplinary Design Optimization (MDO). Assess multiple design paths and perform rigorous sensitivity analyses to inform and support the system selection workstream.

• Requirements Validation: Ensure the applicability of system requirements. Identify and challenge requirements that are not applicable or lack clear legacy reasoning. Analyze system models and elements to rigorously verify that the system concept is supported by the data.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Confidently navigate environments with low initial cross-functional communication, building strong interactions to resolve complex issues. Establish strong relationships with key working partners across Vehicle Architecture, Manufacturing, Vehicle Hardware, Vehicle Attributes, and CAE teams.

• Virtual Modelling & Communication: Create virtual models utilizing integrated platforms like 3DX to bridge 3D CAD and CAE, communicating concepts clearly. Articulate system optimization ideas seamlessly to both CAD and CAE teams to ensure fast turnaround of results with minimal iterations.

• Mentorship & Knowledge Transfer: Develop and expand team knowledge in the latest CAE processes and tool ecosystems (e.g., the broader Altair and 3DX suites). Coach and mentor both internal and external teams, organize led training courses to advance tool capabilities, and maintain comprehensive documentation of key analysis conclusions and next steps.

• Benchmarking & Excellence: Conduct ongoing benchmarking of vehicle systems and industry CAE tools to ensure Ford remains at the forefront of Systems Engineering and FEA disciplines.

Minimum:
Bachelor's Degree within a Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace or Automotive discipline.
10 – 15 years of experience in the Automotive/ Aerospace industry and/or Systems Engineering.
Experience with cutting-edge CAE toolsets — including Dassault 3DX (3DEXPERIENCE), Altair Hyperworks, Inspire / SimSolid, LS-Dyna, ADAMS.
In depth knowledge of automotive material behaviors including plastics, composites, foams and metal.
Expertise in CAE capability and limitations, able to accurately translate dynamic load cases into static behavior software.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills with a proven track record of presenting complex technical simulation findings and influencing cross-functional design teams.

Preferable:
Master's degree or professional accreditation/chartership from a recognized institution.
Experience with scripting languages (i.e. python, ANSA etc.) for CAE workflow optimization
Experience with modelling composite materials capturing fiber orientation and knit lines for structural CAE models.

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