Vehicle CAE Engineer

ABOUT SLATE At Slate, we’re building safe, reliable vehicles that people can afford, personalize and love—and doing it here in the USA as part of our commitment to reindustrialization. The spirit of DIY and customization runs throughout every element of a Slate, because people should have control over how their trucks look, feel, and represent them. WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR Slate is looking for a motivated, detail-oriented Vehicle CAE Engineer to join our growing team. This position will be responsible for performing NVH, durability, strength, and stiffness simulations to support the development and optimization of EV body, chassis, and closure structures. Working under the guidance of senior engineers, this role offers an excellent opportunity to grow within a dynamic, startup-paced environment. WHAT YOU GET TO DO The Vehicle CAE Engineer will support the CAE team in simulation activities and design evaluation. Key responsibilities include: Support NVH and durability analysis for BIW, HV Battery structure, Trimmed Body, and full vehicle structures using tools such as ANSA, Optistruct, and nCode Design Life. Assist in building, running, and debugging full vehicle NVH and durability models using pre-processing tools like ANSA and HyperMesh. Analyze simulation results, identify design issues, and provide recommendations for improvement. Perform iterative simulations to optimize component and vehicle-level performance targets. Support vehicle and component testing activities and assist in correlating CAE results with physical test data. Help apply engineering methods and tools including DOE and design optimization techniques. Prepare technical reports summarizing simulation results, findings, and improvement actions. Collaborate with design, manufacturing, and supplier teams to meet vehicle performance requirements. WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TEAM Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent, from an ABET-accredited or equivalent program. Master’s degree is a plus. 3–5 years of automotive structures CAE experience, with exposure to NVH and/or durability analysis. Solid foundation in mechanical engineering principles and their application to product development. Ability to work both independently and as part of a cross-functional team. Strong oral and written communication skills with the ability to present technical findings clearly. Eagerness to learn, problem-solve, and grow within a fast-moving organization. Familiarity with tools such as nCode, Optistruct / NASTRAN, ANSA, and Hyper Works. Basic understanding of NVH concepts including source-path-receiver thinking for structure-borne vibration and airborne noise. Exposure to modal analysis, vibration targets, or frequency response analysis is an advantage. Some experience or academic coursework in random vibration analysis is a plus. Experience or exposure to CAE-test correlation is desirable. Experience with electric propulsion systems is desirable, including structural CAE for battery enclosures, battery trays, or high-voltage pack integration within the vehicle architecture. Familiarity with EV-specific structural considerations such as thermal management interface loads, battery module mounting, or e-motor subframe design is a plus. Familiarity with vehicle safety regulations and crash performance requirements is desirable, including FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) and US NCAP evaluation criteria as they relate to structural design and CAE simulation. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Must have the ability to travel (up to 10%). Must have the ability to lift up to 35 pounds. Must have the ability to stand, walk, and perform repetitive tasks for extended periods. Salary Range: The compensation for this position is the range Slate reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for the position taking into account the wide variety of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including job-related knowledge; skillset; experience, education and training; certifications; work location; and other relevant business and organizational factors. Base Pay Range (Annual) $85,430.91 - $128,146.37 Additional Compensation and Benefits: Slate offers a wide range of competitive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, vacation, and 401k. The successful candidate may also be eligible to participate in the equity program and/or a discretionary annual incentive program, subject to the rules governing such programs. WHY JOIN TEAM SLATE? At Slate, we’re fueled by grit, determination, and attention to detail. The start-up spirit of ingenuity and resourcefulness move our business forward. Team Slate fosters a culture of excellence, innovation, and mutual respect, and is motivated by shared principles. Safety First Delight Customers One Team Relentless Improvement Fast, Frugal, and Scrappy Respectful Collaboration Positive Legacy WE WANT TO WORK WITH PEOPLE THAT REFLECT THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH WE OPERATE. Slate is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, parental status, cultural background, organizational level, work styles, tenure and life experiences. Or for any other reason. Slate is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at View email address on click.appcast.io. About Us At Slate, we’ve got one job: building a vehicle you’ll fall in love with, right here in the USA. We believe that car buyers—not car companies—should call the shots. We like looking at a road, not a screen. We don’t like paying for stuff we don’t need.
We like picking out the stuff we do need. We think dings are badges, not blemishes. But we know not everyone likes what we like. So, we built you a Slate: you make it yours.