Component & Subsystem CAE Engineer

Inside the Role

As a CAE Engineer III, you will take ownership of complex simulation and analysis activities to support product development and engineering decisions. The role focuses on evaluating and interpreting simulation results, understanding technical relationships and trade-offs, and translating findings into actionable design recommendations and solutions. Beyond executing simulations, you will drive complex technical scopes across functions, develop and improve simulation methods, evaluate new technologies, and lead projects within your area of responsibility. You will work closely with engineering partners to define requirements and targets, resolve technical challenges, and support decisions that balance product performance, quality, manufacturability, cost, and timing

Posting Information

We provide a scheduled posting end date to assist our candidates with their application planning. While this date reflects our latest plans, it is subject to change, and postings may be extended or removed earlier than expected.

We Take Care of Our Team

What You Drive at DTNA

• Perform and lead complex CAE simulation and structural analysis activities at the component and subsystem level to support product development and validation.
• Evaluate simulation results, identify key technical relationships and trade-offs, and translate findings into clear engineering recommendations and design improvements.
• Partner with Product Engineering, VLD, Analysis, Validation, and other cross-functional teams to define simulation requirements, technical targets, and validation strategies.
• Drive simulation-to-test correlation activities, using physical test results to validate models and improve the predictive capability of CAE methods.
• Independently develop technical approaches and determine next steps to resolve complex engineering challenges.
• Lead technical projects and work packages, coordinating priorities, interfaces, timing, and deliverables across multiple engineering functions.
• Develop, improve, and implement CAE methods, tools, and processes to expand simulation capabilities and improve engineering efficiency and accuracy.
• Evaluate emerging simulation technologies and methodologies and identify opportunities for application within the product development process.
• Communicate technical findings and recommendations to engineering stakeholders and influence decisions related to product performance, quality, manufacturability, cost, and timing.

Knowledge You Should Bring

·         Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering field and 5+ years of relevant engineering experience, or 9+ years of relevant experience in lieu of degree. A Master’s degree in a related engineering field is preferred and may substitute for relevant experience.

·         Strong Product Engineering experience and a solid understanding of the product development and validation process, including the interaction between design, simulation, and physical testing.

·         Strong background in CAE and computational simulation with experience in structural analysis at the component and subsystem level.

·         Experience evaluating and interpreting complex simulation results and translating findings into engineering recommendations, design improvements, technical requirements, and actionable next steps.

·         Knowledge of simulation-to-test correlation and virtual validation, with the ability to improve the predictive capability of simulation models through correlation with physical test results.

·         Ability to independently identify next steps, develop technical approaches, and drive complex engineering topics beyond the immediate analysis task.

·         Strong cross-functional communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to establish technical credibility and influence alignment across Product Engineering, Analysis, and Validation functions.

·         Experience leading technical projects or complex engineering work packages, including coordination of interfaces, priorities, timing, and deliverables.

Exceptional Candidates Might Have

·         Advanced experience in component and subsystem-level CAE, including development and application of structural analysis methods.

·         Demonstrated experience with simulation-to-test correlation, model validation, and improving the predictive capability of simulation methods using physical test results.

·         Experience establishing or expanding new CAE methods, processes, or capabilities within a Product Engineering organization.

·         Strong understanding of the interaction between component, subsystem, and full-vehicle behavior and the ability to translate simulation results into actionable engineering decisions.

·         Demonstrated ability to drive complex technical topics across organizational and functional boundaries and influence stakeholders without direct authority.

·         Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computational Engineering, or a related field.

Where We Work

This position is open to applicants who can work in (or relocate to) the following location(s)-

Portland, OR US. Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

Schedule Type:

Hybrid (4 days per week in-office / 1 day remote). This schedule builds our #OneTeamBestTeam culture, provides an unparalleled customer experience, and creates innovative solutions through in-person collaboration.

At Daimler Truck North America, we recognize our world is changing faster than ever before. By listening to the needs of today, we’re building solutions with cutting-edge advancements in sustainability and future driving technologies - across electric, hydrogen, and autonomous innovation. Backed by decades of proven success, these efforts continue DTNA’s legacy as an industry leader. Our evolving brand portfolio is second to none, including Freightliner Trucks, Western Star, Detroit, Thomas Built Buses, Freightliner Custom Chassis, and Financial Services. Together, we operate as one team - driving toward a cleaner, safer, and more efficient future for all.

How we move forward together is defined by the DTNA Way - our shared approach to showing up for our customers, our colleagues, and the world we help move. We start with our customers, grounding every product, service, and decision in their success, knowing that when they move forward, so do we. At the same time, we act with urgency and intention, balancing speed with thoughtful decision-making to deliver results with integrity, accountability, and clarity. Across our entire organization, we collaborate as one team - bringing diverse perspectives, strengths, and expertise together with trust and respect - because we know we achieve more together than any one of us could alone.

Guided by these principles, we’re not just responding to change - we’re leading it. Together, we are building the future of transportation for all who keep the world moving.

Additional Information

• Visa sponsorship will only be open to current Daimler Truck North America employees working under an existing U.S. Daimler Truck North America Visa

• All other applicants must be legally authorized to work permanently in the country the position is located in at the time of application

• Final candidate must successfully complete a criminal background check

• Final candidate may be required to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screen

• Contractors, professional services, or other contingent workers should confirm with their local agency if they are eligible to apply for FTE positions

• EEO - Disabled/Veterans

Daimler Truck North America is committed to workforce inclusion and providing an environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, age, marital status, family relationship, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (including transgender and transitioning status), genetic information, or veteran status.

For an accommodation or special assistance with applying for a posted position, please contact our Human Resources department at 503-745-8982 or toll free 800-206-3369. For TTY/TDD enabled call 503-745-2137 or toll free 866-355-6935.