Battelle

Senior Mechanical Engineer (Finite Element Analysis Focus)

Battelle$82K — $117K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant technical field
  • 5+ years of experience in a safety-focused industry (e.g., aerospace, nuclear)
  • Expertise in advanced finite element analysis of complex systems
  • Strong background in structural analysis or fracture mechanics
  • Experience with scripting or custom simulation tools
  • Excellent technical writing and presentation skills
  • Proven ability to mentor junior engineers

Responsibilities

  • Perform advanced finite element modeling and analysis on complex mechanical systems
  • Develop and implement custom scripts and user subroutines for simulation
  • Conduct structural and multiphysics analyses of various components
  • Analyze material and fastener data per MMPDS guidelines
  • Present MMPDS Agenda Items at bi-annual meetings
  • Collaborate with software vendors to address modeling challenges
  • Prepare technical recommendations from design and test data

Benefits

  • Compressed work schedule with every other Friday off
  • Hybrid working arrangement of 60% in-office and 40% remote
  • Paid time off for work-life balance
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with wellness incentives
  • Inclusive health support for partners and family formation
  • Industry-leading 401(k) retirement savings plan
  • Tuition assistance for further education
Full Job Description
Job Summary

The Mechanical Engineer will support advanced engineering analysis and research efforts focused on complex mechanical systems and assemblies, with a strong emphasis on finite element modeling and simulation. This role is responsible for performing high-fidelity structural and multiphysics analyses to support critical programs, including those involving large-scale, highly complex models and novel engineering challenges. The successful candidate will also support a cross-disciplinary project team analyzing and interpreting fastener and joint allowables data per Metallic Material Properties and Development Standardization (MMPDS) guidelines for inclusion into the MMPDS Handbook.

The position requires deep expertise in finite element analysis (FEA), including development of custom scripts and subroutines, and the ability to work at the forefront of modeling capabilities-often collaborating with software developers and technical experts to solve problems beyond standard tool applications.

This role will play a key part in sustaining and advancing advanced FEA capabilities supporting high-visibility and mission-critical programs.

Responsibilities

  • Perform advanced finite element modeling and analysis (FEA) on complex mechanical assemblies and systems
  • Develop and implement custom scripts and user subroutines for simulation
  • Conduct structural, fracture mechanics, and multiphysics analyses of metal, non-metal, and composite components and assemblies.
  • Analyze material, fastener, and joint allowables data per MMPDS guidelines.
  • Write, review, and present MMPDS Agenda Items at bi-annual meetings.
  • Collaborate with software vendors (Abaqus, ANSYS) on advanced modeling challenges
  • Support critical programs requiring high-confidence analyses
  • Compile and evaluate design and test data and prepare technical recommendations
  • Prepare reports and present findings to stakeholders
  • Participate in technical conferences, peer review panels, industry committee meetings, and other forums to increase company visibility. Travel ~10%
  • Lead or support technical projects and ensure quality and schedule adherence
  • Mentor junior engineers and guide analysis methodology

Key Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant technical field
  • Five plus years of experience in a safety focused industry such as aerospace, nuclear, or power generation with experience in structual design
  • Demonstrated experience in advanced FEA on complex systems
  • Strong background in structural analysis or fracture mechanics
  • Experience with scripting or custom simulation tools
  • Ability to work independently on complex analysis problems
  • Technical Writing and Presenting
  • Strong communication skills
  • Experience mentoring junior staff
  • Willingness and ability to learn new modeling software

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with large-scale, high-complexity models
  • Proficiency in Abaqus and ANSYS
  • Experience supporting government or defense programs
  • Background in nuclear, aerospace, marine, and/or automotive industries
  • Subject Matter Expertise in at least two of the following: Fatigue, Damage Tolderance, Fastener Analysis, Joint llowables Development, Machine Design
  • Multiphysics modeling experience
  • Active or ability to obtain a security clearance

Compensation Data

Battelle is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. The salary range for this role is $82,000 -$117,000 per year, in addition to our comprehensive benefits package. A candidate's salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to education, relevant work experience, skills, and certifications. Salary ranges may vary based on geographic location and market conditions

Benefits: Live an Extraordinary Life
We care about your well-being, not just on the job. Battelle offers comprehensive and competitive benefits to help you live your best life.
  • Balance life through a compressed work schedule: Most of our team follows a flexible, compressed work schedule that allows for every other Friday off-giving you a dedicated day to accomplish things in your personal life without using vacation time.
  • Enjoy enhanced work flexibility, including a hybrid arrangement: You have options for where and when you work. Our Together with Flexibility model allows you to work 60% in-office and 40% remote, with Monday and Tuesday as common in-office days, dependent on team and position needs .
  • Take time to recharge: You get paid time off to support work-life balance and keep motivated.
  • Prioritize wellness: Stay healthy with medical, dental, and vision coverage with wellness incentives and benefits plus a variety of optional supplemental benefits.
  • Better together: Coverage for partners, gender-affirming care and health support, and family formation support.
  • Build your financial future: Build financial stability with an industry-leading 401(k) retirement savings plan. For most employees, we put in 5 percent whether you contribute or not, and match your contributions on top of that.
  • Advance your education: Tuition assistance is available to pursue higher education.

About Battelle

Battelle is a private nonprofit applied science and technology development company. It was founded in 1929 and is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Battelle operates in the fields of national security, health, energy, and the environment. The company provides research and development services, manages laboratories, and commercializes technology. Battelle has a number of subsidiaries, including Bluefin Robotics, a manufacturer of unmanned underwater vehicles, and Battelle Memorial Institute, a research institute that conducts research in the areas of science and technology, education, and national security. The company has a number of partnerships with government agencies, universities, and private companies.
Learn more about Battelle
Size
22,000 employees
Industry

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