Principal Software Engineer
$117,600–$218,400 year
On-siteIrvine, California, United States
Job Summary
Research, design, and develop advanced algorithms for nonlinear finite element analysis to support multidisciplinary simulations 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 and benchmark analysis capabilities while identifying and reporting software defects and numerical issues. Maintain test cases, automated tools, and regression testing workflows to support QA activities, certification, and compliance with product quality metrics. Prepare technical documentation for product enhancements, QA procedures, and training materials. Lead the design of complex nonlinear analysis technologies, provide technical guidance, and mentor other engineers. Evaluate emerging technologies to recommend approaches that enhance simulation capabilities and competitive position.
Required Qualifications
- PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Mechanics, Computational Mechanics, or a related field
- Experience developing and implementing finite element analysis software
- Experience developing and implementing user subroutines for commercial FEA packages
- Experience developing and implementing numerical material models
- Strong programming skills in Fortran
- Strong programming skills in C/C++
- Working knowledge of Python
- Working knowledge of Linux shell scripting
- Working knowledge of other scripting languages
- Experience with MSC Nastran
- Experience with Marc
- Experience with similar commercial finite element analysis software
- Background in nonlinear solid mechanics analysis
- Background in geometric nonlinearity
- Background in contact mechanics
- Background in nonlinear material behavior
- Background in large deformation
- Background in large rotation formulations
- 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
- Ability to collaborate across engineering, QA, and product teams
- Ability to develop, evaluate, review, maintain, and validate engineering software code using sound engineering judgment
- Strong understanding of nonlinear mechanics
- Strong understanding of numerical methods
- Strong understanding of contact mechanics
- Strong understanding of contact algorithms
- Strong understanding of finite element methods
- Strong understanding of implicit nonlinear analysis technologies
- Strong understanding of explicit nonlinear analysis technologies
- Ability to lead the design and development of complex nonlinear analysis technologies
- Ability to provide technical guidance, code review, and mentorship to other engineers
- Ability to participate in architecture reviews, design discussions, roadmap planning, and strategic technology decisions
- Ability to evaluate emerging technologies and recommend approaches that enhance Hexagon Nastran's simulation capabilities, product quality, and competitive position
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