Principal Software Engineer

What You'll Do

• Research, design, and develop advanced algorithms for nonlinear finite element analysis to support multidisciplinary simulations and technology integration within MSC Nastran, Marc, and related products.
• Develop, maintain, enhance, and test linear and nonlinear solution capabilities, including implementation, validation, optimization, and performance improvements.
• Create representative engineering models to verify, demonstrate, and benchmark linear and nonlinear analysis capabilities.
• Identify, investigate, and report software defects, enhancement requests, numerical issues, and performance concerns to support continuous product improvement.
• Create and maintain test cases, benchmark models, automated tools, and regression testing workflows for validation and performance evaluation.
• Support QA activities, including benchmarking, certification, validation, release testing, and compliance with established product quality metrics and guidelines.
• Prepare and maintain technical documentation for product enhancements, new features, software improvements, QA procedures, testing methodologies, benchmarks, and training materials.
• Collaborate with engineering, QA, and product teams to improve product performance, reliability, usability, and release readiness.
• Perform additional duties and responsibilities as needed to support evolving business and organizational priorities.
• Senior-Level Expectations Lead the design and development of complex nonlinear analysis technologies and co-simulation capabilities.
• Provide technical guidance, code review, and mentorship to other engineers.
• Participate in architecture reviews, design discussions, roadmap planning, and strategic technology decisions.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend approaches that enhance Hexagon Nastran’s simulation capabilities, product quality, and competitive position.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Strong understanding of nonlinear mechanics, numerical methods, contact mechanics, contact algorithms, and finite element methods, including implicit and explicit nonlinear analysis technologies.
• Ability to develop, evaluate, review, maintain, and validate engineering software code using sound engineering judgment.
• Hands-on experience in two or more of the following areas: contact mechanics; large deformation and large rotation; finite element formulation and element development; fluid-structure interaction; computational fluid dynamics; heat transfer; fracture and failure mechanics; solution algorithms and numerical methods; electrical and electromagnetic analysis; acoustics; or geometry modeling and NURBS technologies.
• Strong engineering analysis, debugging, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to create clear design documentation, technical specifications, test plans, and professional reports using Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and related tools.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to collaborate across engineering, QA, and product teams.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend approaches that enhance Hexagon Nastran’s simulation capabilities, product quality, and competitive position.
• Required and Preferred Experience Experience developing and implementing finite element analysis software, user subroutines for commercial FEA packages, and numerical material models.
• Strong programming skills in Fortran and C/C++, with working knowledge of Python, Linux shell scripting, and other scripting languages.
• Experience with MSC Nastran, Marc, or similar commercial finite element analysis software.
• Background in nonlinear solid mechanics analysis, including geometric nonlinearity, contact mechanics, nonlinear material behavior, large deformation, and large rotation formulations.
• Education PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Mechanics, Computational Mechanics, or a related field.
• The annual salary range for California is $117,600 to $218,400.
• You may also be eligible to receive incentive compensation: bonus, equity, and benefits.
• Sales positions generally offer a competitive On Target Earnings (OTE) incentive compensation structure.
• Please note that the salary range is a guideline and compensation may vary based on factors such as qualifications, skill level, competencies and work location.
• Our benefits programs include: paid vacation and paid holidays, 401(k) plan with employer match, employee stock purchase plan, a variety of medical, dental and vision plan options, and more.
• We’re doing work that matters.
• Help us solve what others can’t.