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.
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At Ford, you’ll work on ideas that matter, alongside passionate people who want to make a global impact. Together, we’re shaping the next era of transportation—grounded in purpose, driven by progress. Make your move.
- Job Type: Full time
- Work Type: Hybrid
The Seating CAE Engineer will be responsible for analyzing and optimizing unique seat structures to meet federal and internal performance requirements. You will work with a diverse team to launch the next generation Vehicle Platform Architectures for electric vehicles.
What you'll do...
- Work with Program Design, safety and CAE teams to develop first, second and third row seat systems for electric vehicle platforms
- Develop CAE models for analyzing seat strength & stiffness at seat level and seat on body level as per Ford modeling guidelines. Model all mechanisms (recliner, latch, track, etc.) for all the seats and be capable of creating various seat positions
- Where appropriate, conduct DOE/DFSS studies by utilizing optimization tools, on seat designs to meet performance requirements within the constraints of conflicting attributes such as cost and mass.
- Support quick concept development of new and emerging ideas and work in a cross-functional environment to identify and overcome technical challenges and meet requirements
- Participate in post-test teardowns to correlate CAE results to physical tests.
- Ensure designs conform to safety standards and U.S. government regulations.
- Support the creation of standard work procedures for delivering quality models and simulation results.
- Responsible for post processing results for belt, bolt, weld, sectional forces and creating animations to identify critical load paths
- Participate in design reviews and present design concepts. Make recommendations to improve and refine designs
You'll have...
- B.S. Mechanical Engineering or related field
- 5+ years of experience in creating and running CAE models for seat systems
- Working knowledge and experience using CAE pre- post-processing codes such as Hyperworks, ANSA, Primer, LS-Prepost equivalent for geometry cleanup and meshing
- Be able to run, debug and post-process Nastran, LS-Dyna or equivalent for CAE analysis.
- Be able to run one or more of the following optimization tools: HEEDs, ModeFRONTIER, Optistruct, Tosca, Inspire, ANSYS
- Familiarity with CAD tools such as CATIA/3Dx and capable of using CAD to develop CAE models from scratch.
- Strong knowledge and application of engineering fundamentals.
- Proven ability to analyze data, draw appropriate conclusions, and make solid recommendations.
- Good communication and time management skills.
- Ability to prioritize and complete multiple assignments at one time.
Even better, you may have...
- M.S./Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering or related field
- 5-10+ years of experience in creating and running CAE models
- Expert knowledge and experience using CAE preprocessing codes such as Hypermesh, ANSA equivalent for geometry cleanup and meshing
- Expert knowledge of modeling and analysis of various metals/plastics material systems (i.e. stampings, castings, injection molding, etc.) and joining technologies (spot/line welds, SPR, FDS, adhesives, etc).
You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply!
As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder…or all of the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:
- Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
- Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more
- Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
- Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
- Tuition assistance
- Established and active employee resource groups
- Paid time off for individual and team community service
- A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
- Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.
This position is a salary grade 8 and ranges from $109,100-$182,800
Final determination of salary grade will be based on candidate's skills and experience, and base salary will be set within the applicable range according to job scope, responsibility and competitive market value.
Visa sponsorship is available for this position.
Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1-888-336-0660.
This position is hybrid. Candidates who are in commuting distance to a Ford hub location may be required to be onsite four or more days per week. #LI-Hybrid
LI-MZ1 #UEV
Overview
At Ford, you’ll work on ideas that matter, alongside passionate people who want to make a global impact. Together, we’re shaping the next era of transportation—grounded in purpose, driven by progress. Make your move.
- Job Type: Full time
- Work Type: Hybrid
The Seating CAE Engineer will be responsible for analyzing and optimizing unique seat structures to meet federal and internal performance requirements. You will work with a diverse team to launch the next generation Vehicle Platform Architectures for electric vehicles.
What you'll do...
- Work with Program Design, safety and CAE teams to develop first, second and third row seat systems for electric vehicle platforms
- Develop CAE models for analyzing seat strength & stiffness at seat level and seat on body level as per Ford modeling guidelines. Model all mechanisms (recliner, latch, track, etc.) for all the seats and be capable of creating various seat positions
- Where appropriate, conduct DOE/DFSS studies by utilizing optimization tools, on seat designs to meet performance requirements within the constraints of conflicting attributes such as cost and mass.
- Support quick concept development of new and emerging ideas and work in a cross-functional environment to identify and overcome technical challenges and meet requirements
- Participate in post-test teardowns to correlate CAE results to physical tests.
- Ensure designs conform to safety standards and U.S. government regulations.
- Support the creation of standard work procedures for delivering quality models and simulation results.
- Responsible for post processing results for belt, bolt, weld, sectional forces and creating animations to identify critical load paths
- Participate in design reviews and present design concepts. Make recommendations to improve and refine designs
You'll have...
- B.S. Mechanical Engineering or related field
- 5+ years of experience in creating and running CAE models for seat systems
- Working knowledge and experience using CAE pre- post-processing codes such as Hyperworks, ANSA, Primer, LS-Prepost equivalent for geometry cleanup and meshing
- Be able to run, debug and post-process Nastran, LS-Dyna or equivalent for CAE analysis.
- Be able to run one or more of the following optimization tools: HEEDs, ModeFRONTIER, Optistruct, Tosca, Inspire, ANSYS
- Familiarity with CAD tools such as CATIA/3Dx and capable of using CAD to develop CAE models from scratch.
- Strong knowledge and application of engineering fundamentals.
- Proven ability to analyze data, draw appropriate conclusions, and make solid recommendations.
- Good communication and time management skills.
- Ability to prioritize and complete multiple assignments at one time.
Even better, you may have...
- M.S./Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering or related field
- 5-10+ years of experience in creating and running CAE models
- Expert knowledge and experience using CAE preprocessing codes such as Hypermesh, ANSA equivalent for geometry cleanup and meshing
- Expert knowledge of modeling and analysis of various metals/plastics material systems (i.e. stampings, castings, injection molding, etc.) and joining technologies (spot/line welds, SPR, FDS, adhesives, etc).
You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply!
As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder…or all of the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:
- Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
- Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more
- Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
- Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
- Tuition assistance
- Established and active employee resource groups
- Paid time off for individual and team community service
- A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
- Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.
This position is a salary grade 8 and ranges from $109,100-$182,800
Final determination of salary grade will be based on candidate's skills and experience, and base salary will be set within the applicable range according to job scope, responsibility and competitive market value.
Visa sponsorship is available for this position.
Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1-888-336-0660.
This position is hybrid. Candidates who are in commuting distance to a Ford hub location may be required to be onsite four or more days per week. #LI-Hybrid
LI-MZ1 #UEV
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.