Research Engineer

We made history and now we work to transform the future - for our customers, our communities and our families. You'll see your work on the road every day, helping people move freely and pursue their dreams. At Ford, you can build more than vehicles. Come build what matters.

In this position...

Most CAE engineers are specialists (e.g., only crash or only forming). This role is a Generalist-Integrator at the cutting edge of "Smart Manufacturing" and "Industry 4.0". You aren't just running a simulation; you are "weaving" the results of one simulation into the starting conditions of the next. This is the essence of the end-to-end Digital Thread-ensuring that the final structural analysis isn't based on a "perfect" CAD model, but on a "realistic" model that has been virtually formed, welded, and baked.

We seek a Digital Architect of Physics with the ability to code and a solid grasp of non-linear mechanics to architect a Manufacturing Digital Thread spanning Metal Forming (Stamping/Casting), Body Construction, and Paint. You will collaborate with domain experts to translate material physics into automated CAD/CAE applications, bridging engineering silos to optimize the structural attributes and minimize dimensional variation.

Manufacturing Digital Thread & CAE Integration

What you'll do...

App Development & Integration: Research and design custom 3DEXPERIENCE (3DX)/Catia CAA tools using C++ and Python. Architect linkage programs to automate data flow between simulation solvers (Hypermesh, LS-DYNA, AutoForm) and CAD environments.

Computational Performance: Ensure developed tools and data pipelines are robust and computationally efficient, minimizing latency and maximizing throughput for large-scale simulation data.

Data Analytics & DOE: Lead statistical sensitivity studies and Design of Experiments (DOE) to optimize manufacturing robustness. Validate the accuracy and performance of 3DX implementations.

Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Ford subject matter experts in forming, joining, and surface science to develop a unified digital twin for stamping, structural casting, and coating workflows.

Process Optimization: Streamline simulation run-times and automate data processing to enable 100% in-house feasibility validation and rapid design iterations.

What you'll do...

App Development & Integration: Research and design custom 3DEXPERIENCE (3DX)/Catia CAA tools using C++ and Python. Architect linkage programs to automate data flow between simulation solvers (Hypermesh, LS-DYNA, AutoForm) and CAD environments.

Computational Performance: Ensure developed tools and data pipelines are robust and computationally efficient, minimizing latency and maximizing throughput for large-scale simulation data.

Data Analytics & DOE: Lead statistical sensitivity studies and Design of Experiments (DOE) to optimize manufacturing robustness. Validate the accuracy and performance of 3DX implementations.

Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Ford subject matter experts in forming, joining, and surface science to develop a unified digital twin for stamping, structural casting, and coating workflows.

Process Optimization: Streamline simulation run-times and automate data processing to enable 100% in-house feasibility validation and rapid design iterations.