CAE Engineer Jobs in California
CAE Engineer jobs in California are in strong demand, concentrated in aerospace and defense, automotive, semiconductor, and advanced manufacturing sectors, with openings ranging from entry-level analyst roles through principal and senior engineer positions. The largest hiring metros are Los Angeles, San Diego, and the San Francisco Bay Area, where companies like Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and Tesla maintain significant engineering operations. The most sought-after specialties in California include structural analysis, computational fluid dynamics, and finite element analysis for high-performance systems. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 17+ CAE Engineer jobs
JOB TITLE: CAE Engineer - Strength and Durability
LOCATION: Foster City, CA
PAY RANGE: $69 - $79/hr.
DURATION: 6 Months
TOP 3 SKILLS:
- Proven experience delivering real-world structural performance development using simulation, testing, and first-principles methods.
- Expertise in the use of Implicit FE solvers (Optistruct/Nastran/Abaqus).
- Expertise in fatigue calculations using SN and EN methods (Ncode/other tools).
Position Summary:
The vehicle needs to operate reliably around the clock within a constantly expanding operational area, carrying a variety of users and payloads, and being subjected to all that the environment and the users can throw at it. This creates a unique challenge for the Strength and Durability attribute team. Your role will be to support design engineers in ensuring their systems will operate safely and reliably throughout the life of the vehicle. You will use the most appropriate methods, from hand calculations and FE analysis to component, system, and vehicle testing to support system development. Within high-paced program cycles, you will work jointly with design and test engineers to develop practical structural design solutions meeting attribute requirements. You will continuously develop and improve CAE working practices, leading long-term methods projects alongside day-to-day activities.
Responsibilities:
- Analyze strength and fatigue performance of mechanical systems from component to full vehicle level under static and dynamic loading.
- Develop feasible structural solutions meeting real-world strength and durability requirements.
- Develop and improve working methods in the CAE team and across vehicle engineering.
- Report and communicate results at all levels, including during cross-functional reviews.
- Champion structural solutions that serve Strength and Durability attribute performance and coordinate with other attributes for best overall performance.
QUALIFICATIONS/TECHNICAL SKILLS:
- Proven experience of delivering real-world structural performance development using simulation, testing, and first-principles methods.
- Routine use of simple and advanced hand calculations for concept and detail studies.
- Expertise in the use of Implicit FE solvers (Optistruct/Nastran/Abaqus).
- Expertise in fatigue calculations using SN and EN methods (Ncode/other tools).
- Vibration analysis and testing experience for deterministic and random excitations.
- Proficient with statistical analysis applied to the creation of material allowable properties based on large sample test data.
- Working understanding of road load data collection and accelerated duty cycle creation with equivalent damage method.
- Rigorous approach to engineering problems, ensuring consistency and traceability of results.
- Experience with multi-scale FE model correlation.
Education:
- Master’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Motorsport Engineering.
BENEFITS SUMMARY:
Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate or annual salary only, unless otherwise stated. In addition to base compensation, full-time roles are eligible for Medical, Dental, Vision, Commuter and 401K benefits with company matching.
IND123
JOB TITLE: CAE Engineer - Strength and Durability
LOCATION: Foster City, CA
PAY RANGE: $69 - $79/hr.
DURATION: 6 Months
TOP 3 SKILLS:
- Proven experience delivering real-world structural performance development using simulation, testing, and first-principles methods.
- Expertise in the use of Implicit FE solvers (Optistruct/Nastran/Abaqus).
- Expertise in fatigue calculations using SN and EN methods (Ncode/other tools).
Position Summary:
The vehicle needs to operate reliably around the clock within a constantly expanding operational area, carrying a variety of users and payloads, and being subjected to all that the environment and the users can throw at it. This creates a unique challenge for the Strength and Durability attribute team. Your role will be to support design engineers in ensuring their systems will operate safely and reliably throughout the life of the vehicle. You will use the most appropriate methods, from hand calculations and FE analysis to component, system, and vehicle testing to support system development. Within high-paced program cycles, you will work jointly with design and test engineers to develop practical structural design solutions meeting attribute requirements. You will continuously develop and improve CAE working practices, leading long-term methods projects alongside day-to-day activities.
Responsibilities:
- Analyze strength and fatigue performance of mechanical systems from component to full vehicle level under static and dynamic loading.
- Develop feasible structural solutions meeting real-world strength and durability requirements.
- Develop and improve working methods in the CAE team and across vehicle engineering.
- Report and communicate results at all levels, including during cross-functional reviews.
- Champion structural solutions that serve Strength and Durability attribute performance and coordinate with other attributes for best overall performance.
QUALIFICATIONS/TECHNICAL SKILLS:
- Proven experience of delivering real-world structural performance development using simulation, testing, and first-principles methods.
- Routine use of simple and advanced hand calculations for concept and detail studies.
- Expertise in the use of Implicit FE solvers (Optistruct/Nastran/Abaqus).
- Expertise in fatigue calculations using SN and EN methods (Ncode/other tools).
- Vibration analysis and testing experience for deterministic and random excitations.
- Proficient with statistical analysis applied to the creation of material allowable properties based on large sample test data.
- Working understanding of road load data collection and accelerated duty cycle creation with equivalent damage method.
- Rigorous approach to engineering problems, ensuring consistency and traceability of results.
- Experience with multi-scale FE model correlation.
Education:
- Master’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Motorsport Engineering.
BENEFITS SUMMARY:
Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate or annual salary only, unless otherwise stated. In addition to base compensation, full-time roles are eligible for Medical, Dental, Vision, Commuter and 401K benefits with company matching.
IND123
See All 17 CAE Engineer Jobs in California
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Find CAE Engineer JobsCAE Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
CAE Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Automotive
- Energy
- Science & Research
- Staffing & Recruiting
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in CAE engineer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in mechanical, aerospace, or civil engineering required
- Proficiency in FEA or CFD software such as ANSYS, Abaqus, or Nastran
- Experience with CAD platforms including CATIA, SolidWorks, or Siemens NX
- Familiarity with aerospace or automotive industry standards and design processes
- Strong background in structural, thermal, or dynamic simulation and analysis
- Ability to obtain or hold security clearance for defense-sector roles in California
CAE Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a cae engineer in California?
Most cae engineer roles in California require at minimum a bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, or civil engineering from an accredited program. California does not mandate a state-specific license for most cae engineers in private industry, though engineers who sign off on public safety work may pursue licensure through the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists. Building simulation software proficiency and completing internships with California's aerospace or automotive employers strengthens a candidate's path considerably.
How much do CAE engineers make in California?
CAE engineers in California earn a median of about $130,900 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $82,070 for the lowest 10% to over $203,620 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire cae engineers in California?
Employers hiring cae engineers in California right now include Rivian, Tesla, and Lime, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's concentration of aerospace primes, defense contractors, and electric vehicle manufacturers means demand is distributed across both established legacy employers and fast-growing technology companies.
Which California cities have the most cae engineer jobs?
The California cities with the most cae engineer openings are Irvine, Fremont, and San Jose. The distribution reflects Los Angeles and its surrounding defense and aerospace corridor, San Diego's strong military and engineering presence, and the Bay Area's concentration of automotive technology and semiconductor companies that rely heavily on simulation engineering.
Are there remote cae engineer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely software-focused fields, since much cae engineer work involves collaborating on proprietary models and interfacing with physical hardware and lab teams. About 33% of cae engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, with hybrid arrangements more prevalent than fully remote. Pre-processing, post-processing, and report-writing tasks are the portions of the role most frequently performed off-site.
How can I get hired as a cae engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a structured internship or new-graduate program at one of California's large aerospace or automotive employers, where structured rotations expose candidates to simulation workflows under experienced engineers. Companies like Northrop Grumman and Tesla run formal new-grad hiring cycles that accept candidates with strong academic simulation projects in lieu of industry experience. A portfolio demonstrating hands-on work in ANSYS or Abaqus, even from coursework or personal projects, gives candidates a clear advantage over applicants with no simulation output to show.
Where can I find and apply to cae engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to cae engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 17 CAE Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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