What are the responsibilities and job description for the CAE Durability Engineer (Body/Chassis/Closures/Trims) position at Detroit Engineered Products?
CAE Durability Engineer
Job Summary :
Specializes in developing and validating vehicle durability models to ensure long-term structural integrity and performance under real-world conditions.
This role involves using advanced simulation tools to analyze loads, predict fatigue, and work across the full vehicle lifecycle—from concept to production—to optimize the durability of vehicle components and systems.
Key Responsibilities :
- Develop detailed FEA models to evaluate vehicle durability, focusing on fatigue life, vibration endurance, and load-bearing capacity for complete vehicle systems under diverse operating conditions.
- Perform road load data analysis to determine component and system damage levels, using this data to inform structural design enhancements and optimize vehicle durability.
- Correlate load data with CAE fatigue predictions, utilizing tools like Ncode and Abaqus to establish accurate cyclic load predictions and simulate real-world operating conditions.
- Configure and validate durability models to accurately predict cyclic loads and correlate these with damage levels experienced in actual road scenarios, ensuring the highest level of predictive accuracy.
- Collaborate with design, materials, and testing teams to identify and implement material and structural improvements that enhance component durability, extending vehicle lifespan and reducing maintenance requirements.
- Use advanced FEA software such as Ncode, Abaqus, and ANSYS for comprehensive structural and fatigue analysis, pinpointing potential weak points and areas for improvement across vehicle systems.
- Optimize complete vehicle durability by assessing structural load paths, material fatigue thresholds, and road load transfer mechanisms for components such as chassis, suspension, body structures, and powertrain mounts.
- Validate simulation models against physical testing data, refining models based on real-world load conditions, including road, terrain, and environmental impacts to accurately replicate in-service conditions.
- Document durability analysis processes and findings, providing detailed reports and actionable insights to support continuous improvement in vehicle durability development programs.
- Develop and implement durability test plans for specific vehicle components and systems, including frame, suspension, body structures, and key load-bearing components, ensuring compliance with industry standards and customer durability requirements.
Additional Requirements :
