OPT CAE Engineer Jobs
CAE Engineer jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in mechanical, aerospace, or structural engineering. Most roles qualify as STEM OPT, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers in automotive, aerospace, and defense regularly sponsor H-1B visas for this specialty.
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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 OPT CAE Engineer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a CAE Engineer
Target STEM-designated degree programs
CAE Engineer roles typically qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension when your degree is in mechanical, aerospace, civil, or structural engineering. Confirm your program's CIP code with your DSO before applying to maximize your authorized work period.
Focus on simulation-heavy industries
Automotive OEMs, aerospace primes, and defense contractors run large CAE teams and have established H-1B sponsorship pipelines. These employers file in high volumes annually, making them more likely to sponsor engineers transitioning off OPT.
Lead with specific solver experience
Hiring managers screen by software stack. Listing Abaqus, Ansys, Nastran, or LS-DYNA prominently on your resume signals technical readiness and reduces ramp-up cost, which directly improves your sponsorship case with cost-conscious employers.
Apply early relative to your OPT end date
H-1B cap-subject petitions must be filed by April 1 for an October 1 start. If your OPT expires before October 1, ask employers about cap-exempt options or whether a cap-gap extension applies to your situation.
Frame academic simulation projects as professional experience
Finite element analysis projects, crash simulations, or thermal modeling from graduate coursework are directly relevant. Quantify results where possible, such as mesh accuracy improvements or reduced solve times, to strengthen your candidacy against experienced engineers.
Ask about sponsorship history before final interviews
Before investing in lengthy technical rounds, confirm the employer has sponsored H-1B visas for engineering roles before. OFLC disclosure data is publicly available and shows which companies have filed LCAs for CAE or simulation engineering positions.
CAE Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do CAE Engineer jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most CAE Engineer roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, provided your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or applied mechanics. Your DSO can confirm eligibility by checking your program's CIP code. The extension must be applied for before your initial 12-month OPT period expires, so plan ahead.
Which industries hire the most CAE Engineers willing to sponsor OPT students?
Automotive manufacturers and suppliers, aerospace primes, and defense contractors employ the largest CAE teams and have consistent H-1B sponsorship track records. Companies like tier-one automotive suppliers and aircraft manufacturers file LCAs for simulation engineers regularly. You can browse OPT-friendly CAE Engineer openings across these industries on Migrate Mate, which filters specifically for roles open to F-1 OPT candidates.
What happens to my OPT authorization if my CAE Engineer job ends?
If your employment ends, you have a 60-day grace period to find a new OPT-qualifying job, transfer to another visa status, or depart the United States. Unemployment time also counts against your OPT period, so you cannot exceed 90 days of cumulative unemployment on standard OPT or 150 days on STEM OPT extension. Notify your DSO immediately when employment ends.
Can I work as a contract or consulting CAE Engineer on OPT?
Yes, but with conditions. Contract and consulting arrangements are permitted on OPT as long as the work is directly related to your degree field and you are actively engaged in simulation or engineering work, not just administration. Self-employment structures require careful review with your DSO. Short-gap periods between contracts still count as unemployment days against your authorized totals.
What software skills make OPT students more competitive for CAE Engineer roles?
Employers consistently prioritize experience with finite element analysis solvers such as Abaqus, Ansys Mechanical, Nastran, or LS-DYNA. Familiarity with pre- and post-processing tools like HyperMesh, ANSA, or ICEM CFD adds further value. For fluid simulation roles, OpenFOAM or Fluent experience is highly sought. Candidates who can demonstrate results from academic or internship projects using these tools are significantly more competitive for sponsored positions.