H-1B Visa CAE Engineer Jobs
CAE Engineer roles qualify as H-1B visa specialty occupations under USCIS guidelines, requiring at least a bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, or structural engineering. Employers in automotive, aerospace, and defense regularly file LCAs for these positions. The 85,000-cap lottery applies, with STEM master's holders getting a second draw.
Find H-1B Visa CAE Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 19+ CAE Engineer jobs
See all CAE Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new CAE Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsPosition Description:
The Occupant Safety CAE Engineer will be responsible for generating occupant CAE models through multiple stages of development. You will also conceptualize, Design, Engineer, Develop and support the launch of next generation Vehicle Platform Architectures for electric vehicles. You will use your skills in collaboration, systems engineering, FMA/design robustness, CAE and safety DV efficiency to develop world class efficient vehicle architectures for frontal, side, side, rear, pedestrian impact, roof strength and low speed damageability.
Job Responsibilities:
- Work with Advanced Vehicle Crash Safety and Program Design teams to develop occupant CAE models in LS-Dyna for various crash modes.
- Collaborate with responsible D&Rs and associated component suppliers to ensure component CAE models are properly correlated and/or reasonable initial assumptions are being made.
- Where appropriate, conduct DOE/DFSS studies by utilizing optimization tools, to meet performance requirements within the constraints of conflicting attributes such cost and mass. Support quick concept development of new and emerging ideas. Assess the system level occupant performance for all relevant impact configurations.
- Optimize the performance of the relevant components needed to meet occupant performance targets (airbags, seat belts, steering column, seats, instrument panel, interior trim etc.) Collaborate with the safety structures team in case structural performance of the BIW does not allow meeting occupant performance targets.
- Support the creation of standard work procedures for delivering quality models and simulation results.
- Work in a cross-functional environment to identify and overcome technical challenges and meet requirements.
- Be a part of the vision of engineering excellence and a source of knowledge.
- Participate in design reviews and present design concepts.
- Make recommendations to improve and refine designs.
- Support the delivery of the occupant safety attribute with high-quality CAE models during all program phases all the way through Start-of-Production.
Skills Required:
- CAE
- Mechanical Engineering
Experience Required:
- B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
- Strong engineering mechanics fundamentals
- Highly motivated and creative
- Strong technical skills and expertise in safety and simulation, coupled with a 1st principles approach to problem solving
- 2+ years of experience in occupant safety CAE
- 2+ years of experience in designing and launching new safety systems from concept to production
- Knowledge of global passive safety public domain and regulatory requirements
- Non-linear finite element analysis and correlation capability
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a diverse global team with good communication and interpersonal skills
- An eagerness to work cross-functionally in a dynamic environment where you are part of a high performing team
Education Required:
Bachelor's Degree
Education Preferred:
Additional Information:
HYBRID / 4 days per week in the office
Position Description:
The Occupant Safety CAE Engineer will be responsible for generating occupant CAE models through multiple stages of development. You will also conceptualize, Design, Engineer, Develop and support the launch of next generation Vehicle Platform Architectures for electric vehicles. You will use your skills in collaboration, systems engineering, FMA/design robustness, CAE and safety DV efficiency to develop world class efficient vehicle architectures for frontal, side, side, rear, pedestrian impact, roof strength and low speed damageability.
Job Responsibilities:
- Work with Advanced Vehicle Crash Safety and Program Design teams to develop occupant CAE models in LS-Dyna for various crash modes.
- Collaborate with responsible D&Rs and associated component suppliers to ensure component CAE models are properly correlated and/or reasonable initial assumptions are being made.
- Where appropriate, conduct DOE/DFSS studies by utilizing optimization tools, to meet performance requirements within the constraints of conflicting attributes such cost and mass. Support quick concept development of new and emerging ideas. Assess the system level occupant performance for all relevant impact configurations.
- Optimize the performance of the relevant components needed to meet occupant performance targets (airbags, seat belts, steering column, seats, instrument panel, interior trim etc.) Collaborate with the safety structures team in case structural performance of the BIW does not allow meeting occupant performance targets.
- Support the creation of standard work procedures for delivering quality models and simulation results.
- Work in a cross-functional environment to identify and overcome technical challenges and meet requirements.
- Be a part of the vision of engineering excellence and a source of knowledge.
- Participate in design reviews and present design concepts.
- Make recommendations to improve and refine designs.
- Support the delivery of the occupant safety attribute with high-quality CAE models during all program phases all the way through Start-of-Production.
Skills Required:
- CAE
- Mechanical Engineering
Experience Required:
- B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
- Strong engineering mechanics fundamentals
- Highly motivated and creative
- Strong technical skills and expertise in safety and simulation, coupled with a 1st principles approach to problem solving
- 2+ years of experience in occupant safety CAE
- 2+ years of experience in designing and launching new safety systems from concept to production
- Knowledge of global passive safety public domain and regulatory requirements
- Non-linear finite element analysis and correlation capability
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a diverse global team with good communication and interpersonal skills
- An eagerness to work cross-functionally in a dynamic environment where you are part of a high performing team
Education Required:
Bachelor's Degree
Education Preferred:
Additional Information:
HYBRID / 4 days per week in the office
See all H-1B Visa CAE Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa CAE Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a CAE Engineer
Verify your degree field matches the role
USCIS scrutinizes whether your engineering degree directly supports CAE work. A degree in mechanical, aerospace, or civil engineering strengthens your petition. Degrees in physics or mathematics may trigger an RFE unless your coursework includes FEA or simulation methods.
Look up prevailing wages before negotiating
Use the OFLC Wage Search to find Level I through Level IV wage rates for your SOC code and work location before accepting any offer. Your employer's LCA must certify a wage at or above the applicable prevailing wage level.
Target employers with active LCA filing histories
Use Migrate Mate to filter CAE Engineer roles by employers who have filed LCAs for simulation and analysis positions. This shows you which companies have already navigated H-1B sponsorship for this specific occupation, not just general engineering roles.
Check if your employer is cap-exempt
Universities, nonprofit research institutions, and certain government-affiliated entities are cap-exempt, meaning your H-1B isn't subject to the annual lottery. If you're considering a CAE role at a national lab or university research center, you can file year-round.
Get your simulation software credentials documented early
Proficiency in ANSYS, Abaqus, or Nastran is often central to specialty occupation arguments for CAE roles. Gather training certificates, project portfolios, and employer letters that tie your specific software expertise to the degree-level knowledge USCIS requires.
Clarify filing responsibilities before signing an offer
Confirm whether your employer will cover USCIS filing fees and whether they'll file standard or premium processing. Premium processing guarantees a decision within 15 business days and is worth negotiating into your offer for roles with urgent project start dates.
H-1B Visa CAE Engineer: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a CAE Engineer role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes. CAE Engineer positions qualify as H-1B specialty occupations because the work requires theoretical and practical application of engineering principles attainable only through a bachelor's degree or higher in a directly related field such as mechanical, aerospace, or structural engineering. USCIS has consistently approved H-1B petitions for simulation and analysis roles when the employer's job description clearly ties the duties to that degree requirement.
Which industries sponsor H-1B visas for CAE Engineers most frequently?
Automotive OEMs and suppliers, aerospace and defense contractors, and industrial equipment manufacturers are the heaviest filers of LCAs for CAE and simulation engineering roles. Software companies building CAE tools also sponsor regularly. You can see which specific employers have active filing histories for these positions by browsing CAE Engineer roles on Migrate Mate, which surfaces DOL LCA data by occupation.
Can my employer file an H-1B petition for a CAE role without a specific project assigned yet?
USCIS requires that a bona fide job offer exist at the time of filing, but the role doesn't need to be tied to a single named project. Employers can file based on ongoing simulation and analysis workstreams. If your role involves staffing-agency placement at a third-party site, your employer will need to document end-client control, which can complicate approval.
How does my software specialization affect my H-1B petition as a CAE Engineer?
Specialization in tools like ANSYS, Abaqus, LS-DYNA, or Nastran supports the specialty occupation argument because these platforms require advanced engineering knowledge to apply correctly. Including documented proof of your software proficiency, such as vendor certifications or project deliverables, helps your employer build a stronger petition. USCIS may issue an RFE if the job description reads as generic software operation rather than engineering analysis.
What happens to my H-1B status if I change CAE roles or employers mid-petition?
H-1B portability under AC21 lets you change employers after your petition has been pending for 180 days, as long as the new role is in the same or a similar occupational classification. For CAE Engineers, moving between simulation roles within engineering stays within that window. Your new employer must file an H-1B transfer petition before you begin work, and USCIS must receive it while your current status remains valid.