RFA Engineering (www.rfamec.com) is an engineering service provider dedicated to delivering our clients with timely engineering support and expertise. We are seeking an entry-level to experienced candidate to become an integral part of our engineering team. The selected candidate will work with an experienced engineering staff using state-of-the-art engineering tools & processes. This position will operate onsite at our customer's world-class engineering and manufacturing facility.
This is a full-time position with a full benefit package listed below that includes opportunities for professional growth, direct hire by our customers, and additional opportunities within our own organization.
Senior Mechanical Engineer - FEA
Senior Mechanical Engineer will support product design and development through finite element and thermo-mechanical analysis of mechanical components and systems. This position will develop simulation models, perform structural and thermal analyses, interpret results, and collaborate with design and test teams to improve product performance, durability, and reliability.
Job Responsibilities
- Develop and execute finite element models for mechanical components and systems.
- Gather geometry, loads, boundary conditions, material properties, and other required analysis inputs.
- Perform structural, thermal, fatigue, and thermo-mechanical analyses.
- Interpret simulation results and identify opportunities to improve product performance, durability, and reliability.
- Evaluate design alternatives and recommend improvements.
- Support investigation and resolution of product and component issues.
- Document analysis methods, results, conclusions, and recommendations.
- Collaborate with design, simulation, test, and product engineering teams.
- Improve simulation tools, methods, automation, and analysis processes.
- Manage multiple analysis projects and priorities simultaneously.
Job Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
- Professional experience with finite element analysis or structural simulation.
- Understanding of mechanics of materials, stress analysis, fatigue, and heat transfer.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Ability to clearly communicate technical results and recommendations.
- Ability to work effectively within a collaborative engineering environment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with ABAQUS, NASTRAN, HyperMesh, Simcenter 3D, or similar FEA software.
- Experience with structural, thermal, fatigue, or thermo-mechanical analysis.
- Experience with linear elastic and plastic material analysis.
- Experience with Thermo-Mechanical Fatigue (TMF).
- Experience analyzing components subjected to high mechanical loads and temperatures.
- Experience with bolt, gasket, contact, or creep analysis.
- Experience with engines, power systems, machinery, heavy equipment, or other complex mechanical products.
- Experience correlating simulation results with physical test data.
- Experience working with designers to optimize component geometry and product performance.
- Graduate-level coursework or advanced knowledge of solid mechanics, fatigue, heat transfer, or related topics.
- Interest in simulation automation, AI-enabled analysis methods, or improving engineering simulation processes.
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
Pay Range: $65,000-$110,000 - Commensurate with experience
About RFA Engineering
RFA Engineering has provided product development and engineering services to industry leading customers since 1943. Our primary focus is the development of off highway equipment including agricultural, construction, mining, recreational, industrial, and special machines. Our work includes concept development, product design, documentation, problem-solving, simulation, optimization, and testing of components, systems and complete machines. Our engineering staff is located at our Engineering Center in Minneapolis, branch office in Dubuque, IA, and at numerous customer sites throughout the U.S.
Competitive Benefits
- Health and Dental Insurance
- TelaDoc Healthiest You
- Supplemental Vision Insurance
- Company Paid Life Insurance
- Company Paid Long-Term Disability
- Short-term Disability
- Retirement Savings Account (Traditional 401k & Roth 401k)
- Flexible Spending Plan Dependent Care
- HSA for Medical Expenses
- Bonus Plan (Exempt Employees Only)
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Paid Holidays
- Bereavement Leave
- Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
- Education Assistance
Equal Opportunity and Veteran Friendly
Qualifications Education Preferred Bachelors of Science or better. Bachelors of Science or better. Bachelors of Science or better. Bachelors of Science or better. 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’s degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline
- Professional experience with finite element analysis or structural simulation
- Understanding of mechanics of materials, stress analysis, fatigue, and heat transfer
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Strong attention to detail
- Ability to clearly communicate technical results and recommendations
- Ability to work effectively within a collaborative engineering environment
- Experience with ABAQUS, NASTRAN, HyperMesh, Simcenter 3D, or similar FEA software
- Experience with structural, thermal, fatigue, or thermo-mechanical analysis
- Experience with linear elastic and plastic material analysis
- Experience with Thermo-Mechanical Fatigue (TMF)
- Experience analyzing components subjected to high mechanical loads and temperatures
- Experience with bolt, gasket, contact, or creep analysis
- Experience with engines, power systems, machinery, heavy equipment, or other complex mechanical products
- Experience correlating simulation results with physical test data
- Experience working with designers to optimize component geometry and product performance
- Graduate-level coursework or advanced knowledge of solid mechanics, fatigue, heat transfer, or related topics
- Interest in simulation automation, AI-enabled analysis methods, or improving engineering simulation processes
What We Do
RFA serves 100's of clients ranging in size from Fortune 500 to entrepreneurial start-ups. We deliver engineering services from our Engineering Center in Eden Prairie, MN and at our client’s own facilities. Regardless of the manner which we deliver services, our goal is to please our clients, through consistent value of services which are aligned to the standards of our clients. We strive to work as a transparent extension of our client’s own engineering staff. We work in all areas of mechanical, software and electrical design, including off-highway mobile equipment and mechanical power transmission, consumer, recreational, industrial, medical products and one-of-a-kind special manufacturing machines. To see a complete listing of our open positions, please go to http://www.rfamec.com/careers/career-opportunities.html
