We are looking for a senior-level engineer to help research, design, develop, and improve advanced nonlinear finite element analysis technologies for MSC Nastran, Marc, and related simulation products. This role is ideal for someone with deep expertise in nonlinear mechanics, numerical methods, and engineering software development who enjoys solving complex technical problems and building reliable, high-quality simulation capabilities.
Key Responsibilities
Research, design, and develop advanced algorithms for nonlinear finite element analysis to support multidisciplinary simulations and technology integration within MSC Nastran, Marc, and related products. Develop, maintain, enhance, and test linear and nonlinear solution capabilities, including implementation, validation, optimization, and performance improvements. Create representative engineering models to verify, demonstrate, and benchmark linear and nonlinear analysis capabilities. Identify, investigate, and report software defects, enhancement requests, numerical issues, and performance concerns to support continuous product improvement. Create and maintain test cases, benchmark models, automated tools, and regression testing workflows for validation and performance evaluation. Support QA activities, including benchmarking, certification, validation, release testing, and compliance with established product quality metrics and guidelines. Prepare and maintain technical documentation for product enhancements, new features, software improvements, QA procedures, testing methodologies, benchmarks, and training materials. Collaborate with engineering, QA, and product teams to improve product performance, reliability, usability, and release readiness. Perform additional duties and responsibilities as needed to support evolving business and organizational priorities.
Senior-Level Expectations
- Lead the design and development of complex nonlinear analysis technologies and co-simulation capabilities.
- Provide technical guidance, code review, and mentorship to other engineers.
- Participate in architecture reviews, design discussions, roadmap planning, and strategic technology decisions.
- Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend approaches that enhance Cadence Nastran’s simulation capabilities, product quality, and competitive position.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Strong understanding of nonlinear mechanics, numerical methods, contact mechanics, contact algorithms, and finite element methods, including implicit and explicit nonlinear analysis technologies.
- Ability to develop, evaluate, review, maintain, and validate engineering software code using sound engineering judgment.
- Hands-on experience in two or more of the following areas: contact mechanics; large deformation and large rotation; finite element formulation and element development; fluid-structure interaction; computational fluid dynamics; heat transfer; fracture and failure mechanics; solution algorithms and numerical methods; electrical and electromagnetic analysis; acoustics; or geometry modeling and NURBS technologies.
- Strong engineering analysis, debugging, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to create clear design documentation, technical specifications, test plans, and professional reports using Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and related tools.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to collaborate across engineering, QA, and product teams.
Required and Preferred Experience
- Experience developing and implementing finite element analysis software, user subroutines for commercial FEA packages, and numerical material models.
- Strong programming skills in Fortran and C/C++, with working knowledge of Python, Linux shell scripting, and other scripting languages.
- Experience with MSC Nastran, Marc, or similar commercial finite element analysis software.
- Background in nonlinear solid mechanics analysis, including geometric nonlinearity, contact mechanics, nonlinear material behavior, large deformation, and large rotation formulations.
- Education
- PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Mechanics, Computational Mechanics, or a related field.
The annual salary range for California is $117,600 to $218,400. You may also be eligible to receive incentive compensation: bonus, equity, and benefits. Sales positions generally offer a competitive On Target Earnings (OTE) incentive compensation structure. Please note that the salary range is a guideline and compensation may vary based on factors such as qualifications, skill level, competencies and work location. Our benefits programs include: paid vacation and paid holidays, 401(k) plan with employer match, employee stock purchase plan, a variety of medical, dental and vision plan options, and more.
We’re doing work that matters. Help us solve what others can’t.Skills Required
- Experience developing and implementing finite element analysis software, user subroutines for commercial FEA packages, and numerical material models.
- Strong programming skills in Fortran and C/C++.
- Working knowledge of Python and Linux shell scripting (other scripting languages).
- Experience with MSC Nastran, Marc, or similar commercial finite element analysis software.
- Background in nonlinear solid mechanics analysis (geometric nonlinearity, contact mechanics, nonlinear material behavior, large deformation/rotation).
- Strong understanding of numerical methods, contact algorithms, implicit and explicit nonlinear analysis technologies, and finite element methods.
- Ability to create design documentation, technical specifications, test plans, and professional reports using Microsoft Word and Excel.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills in English and ability to collaborate across engineering, QA, and product teams.
- Hands-on experience in two or more areas such as contact mechanics, FEA element development, fluid-structure interaction, CFD, heat transfer, fracture mechanics, solution algorithms, electromagnetics, acoustics, or geometry modeling/NURBS.
- PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Mechanics, Computational Mechanics, or a related field.
Cadence Design Systems Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Cadence Design Systems and has not been reviewed or approved by Cadence Design Systems.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — A discounted ESPP with a lookback feature and equity included in total compensation make ownership broadly accessible and potentially meaningful. Structured compensation at an industry leader adds predictability to equity participation.
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Healthcare Strength — Medical, dental, and vision coverage are described as solid, with mental‑health/EAP and fertility support enhancing the offering. The breadth across core care and family‑building needs strengthens the healthcare package.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Global Recharge Days, volunteer time off, and companywide breaks indicate a comprehensive time‑off framework. In addition, many salaried roles are described as having flexible or generous PTO policies.
Cadence Design Systems Insights
What We Do
Cadence enables electronic systems and semiconductor companies to create the innovative end products that are transforming the way people live, work and play. Cadence® software, hardware and IP are used by customers to deliver products to market faster. The company's Intelligent System Design strategy helps customers develop differentiated products—from chips to boards to intelligent systems—in mobile, consumer, cloud, data center, automotive, aerospace, IoT, industrial and other market segments. Cadence is listed as one of Fortune Magazine's 100 Best Companies to Work For.
