About Blue Bird Corporation
Blue Bird (NASDAQ: BLBD) is recognized as a technology leader and innovator of school buses since its founding in 1927. Our dedicated team members design, engineer and manufacture school buses with a singular focus on safety, reliability, and durability. School buses carry the most precious cargo in the world – 25 million children twice a day – making them the most trusted mode of student transportation. The company is the proven leader in low- and zero-emission school buses with more than 25,000 propane, natural gas, and electric powered buses sold. Blue Bird is transforming the student transportation industry through cleaner energy solutions. For more information on Blue Bird’s complete product and service portfolio, visit www.blue-bird.com.
JOB SUMMARY
This individual will help develop and lead the company’s simulation strategy by collaborating with cross-functional teams and external partners. Key responsibilities include driving current and future product development design cycles, aligning simulation with DVP&R and physical correlation activities, and leveraging CAE expertise to optimize product quality, reliability, cost, and timing. Additionally, they will model field issues to accelerate root-cause analysis and execute robust design improvements.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead simulation-driven design strategies from concept through product launch, utilizing predictive analytics to optimize physical prototype iterations
- Drive simulation and correlation to validate models against physical test data, ensuring thorough and timely completion of Design Verification Plan & Report milestones
- Develop scalable CAE methodologies, automation workflows, and process scripts to reduce analysis cycle times and accelerate time-to-market
- Investigate and diagnose complex field issues using root-cause CAE analysis, developing countermeasures for empirical validation
- Partner with multidisciplinary teams (Design, Test, and Manufacturing) to ensure designs meet conflicting attribute targets (e.g., mass, cost, structural integrity) while ensuring Design for Manufacturing and Design for Assembly feasibility
- Relentlessly pursuing optimization in methodologies, technologies, and workflows, and product to improve safety, quality, reliability, cost, and timing
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES FOR SUCCESS
- Technical proficiency of structural, electrical, software, thermal, or fluid CAE and their specific applications to transportation industry standards (e.g., FMVSS, ISO, SAE)
- Proven track record of developing automated workflows, scripting macros deploying advanced simulation methods to shorten product development cycles.
- Excel in written and spoken communication with the ability to distill complex technical data into inspiring design recommendations, actively fostering team morale, stakeholder buy-in, and a shared sense of optimism.
- Demonstrated leadership in mentoring, managing complex simulation projects independently, and driving collaborative engineering consensus under tight deadlines.
- Passionate about creating products that excite internal and external customers
- Desire to remain current with the continuous evolution of simulation technologies
BASIC EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering from an accredited university.
- Minimum of 5+ years of professional computer aided engineering experience
- Proficiency in engineering software/tools (e.g., Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, MATLAB, SolidWorks, and Python scripting)
- All candidates must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States and will be required to provide proof of employment eligibility at the time of hire.
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE
- Familiarity with state, federal, and Canadian regulations affecting school buses
- Experience with validation, Advanced Programming Interface (API), Python scripting, and Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) or similar tools
- Currently valid commercial driver’s license (CDL)
- Master’s degree in an engineering field
WE VALUE
- Ability to anticipate and understand customer needs and provide guidance
- Excellent interpersonal and customer relationship skills to handle difficult and sensitive matters.
- Strong project management skills. Exposure to difficult or complex projects a plus.
- Ability to influence stakeholders
- Effective communication and ability to communicate complex details in a clear manner.
- Flexible workspaces and work hours helping unleash the best you.
- Working in a collaborative team and balancing the needs of individual stakeholders while delivering corporate objectives.
INCLUDES
- Continued Professional Development
- Benefits including medical, dental and vision insurance, 14 paid holidays, vacation time and 401k matching
WORK CONDITIONS
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Office environment and production environment
- Must work in a manufacturing environment with exposure to heat, cold and noise
- Fast-paced production area with moving objects and sheet metal
- Occasional periods of standing or sitting for extended periods of time
- You must wear appropriate PPE when and where required
- Frequent weeks working 40+ hours
- Frequent communication with people throughout the day
*The specific statements shown in each section of this description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria necessary to successfully perform the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
Blue Bird® is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. We strive to have the best available talent in every job based on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities each person brings. Blue Bird is committed to compliance with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunities. This commitment applies to all persons involved in Company operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination in all forms.
All candidates must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States and will be required to provide proof of employment eligibility at the time of hire.
#LI-Onsite
Qualifications Education Required High School or better. Bachelors or better. Experience Required Professional computer-aided engineering experience Equal Opportunity EmployerThis employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
Skills Required
- Bachelor of Science in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering
- Minimum of 5+ years professional computer-aided engineering (CAE) experience
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, MATLAB, SolidWorks, and Python scripting
- Technical proficiency in structural, electrical, software, thermal, or fluid CAE and application to transportation standards (FMVSS, ISO, SAE)
- Proven ability to develop automated workflows, scripting macros, and deploy advanced simulation methods to shorten development cycles
- Demonstrated leadership in mentoring and managing complex simulation projects independently
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and authorized to work in the United States
- Familiarity with state, federal, and Canadian regulations affecting school buses
- Experience with validation, Advanced Programming Interface (API), and Design for Six Sigma (DFSS)
- Currently valid commercial driver's license (CDL)
- Master's degree in an engineering field
Blue Bird Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Blue Bird and has not been reviewed or approved by Blue Bird.
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Pay Growth & Progression — The 2024 collective bargaining agreement delivered meaningful wage increases for covered hourly employees, with larger boosts at the lowest pay bands. Subsequent contractual provisions point to a structurally improved earnings path for many production roles.
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Strong & Reliable Incentives — Overtime availability and profit sharing lift overall earnings potential, particularly in production settings. The contract formalized profit sharing and added financial provisions that enhance variable pay.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) with Roth option and an employer match is offered, and the union agreement introduced a defined‑contribution retirement plan for covered workers. Company materials indicate employer contributions are part of the total rewards package.
Blue Bird Insights
What We Do
About Us Blue Bird offers a complete line of Type A, C and D school buses in a variety of options and configurations. Since 1927, Blue Bird Corporation has continued to set industry standards with its innovative design and manufacturing capabilities. Additionally, Blue Bird provides comprehensive financial solutions through Blue Bird Capital Services. Today, Blue Bird has more than 1,600 employees, Georgia-based manufacturing facilities and an extensive network of Dealers and Parts & Service facilities throughout North America. Its global presence can be seen in more than 60 countries through sales into Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East. Our Promise We are singularly focused on building and selling school buses that customers want and value. The safety of schoolchildren is at the center of all that we do and we will strive every day, just as we have since our beginning in 1927, to provide an unparalleled and affordable product in terms of safety, quality, durability, and serviceability. We will be easy to do business with, responsive to our customers' wants and needs, and provide prompt after-sale support in parts and service through a professional, high-qualified distribution network. Customer satisfaction is our top priority. What We Stand For We come to work every day with one common goal, to design, build, sell and service the world's finest school bus. That's what we do - no distractions, no competing priorities. We are heirs to a rich legacy, one of listening to our customers, embracing their needs, and delivering innovations that lead the market. We commit ourselves to four driving priorities - safety, quality, durability, and serviceability. We embody the interests of every child that rides us, every driver that drives us, every service technician that services us and every district that buys us. More than a business, this work is our heritage, and we have been at it since 1927 - that's purpose driven.
