Engineering - Lead Engineer, Simulation & Engineering Analysis

Business Title:                      Lead Engineer-Simulation & Engineering Analysis

Reports to:                           Engineering Manager

Leadership Scope:                Individual Leader

Company Info:              With a heritage of nearly 120 years, we aren’t just a company; we are a brand of trust.  But more than anything, we are a collection of individuals who, together, give Grote Industries a decisive competitive advantage. At Grote, our shared vision is clear – to meet the needs of the customers we serve. We accomplish that mission every day by following a set of core values that makes us who we are.

                                    Innovation has been the hallmark of Grote Industries from the start. From durable, easy to see stop lights to the latest in LED lighting technology, Grote has been leading the way in advanced vehicle system solutions from early in the last century right up to today. With these innovations, Grote has helped millions of people throughout North America and the world benefit from the innovation and design excellence of Grote products.

Position Summary:        The Simulation & Engineering Analysis Engineer is responsible for providing engineering analysis and simulation support throughout the product development process. This role partners closely with Product Engineering, CAD, Manufacturing Engineering, Program Management, Quality, and Test Engineering to evaluate product designs, identify risks early, and support successful product launches.

                                    In addition to performing engineering simulations, this position leads formal Engineering Design Reviews, supports continuous improvement initiatives, and helps maintain the Engineering Knowledge Management database to ensure lessons learned and best practices are captured and shared across the organization.

Position Duties:             - Perform Finite Element Analysis (FEA) using ANSYS to evaluate product designs, including:

• Static structural analysis
• Thermal analysis
• Vibration and modal analysis 

                                     - Interpret simulation results and provide engineering reports containing recommendations that improve product performance, reliability, manufacturability, and cost.

                                    - Perform Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations using ANSYS to evaluate airflow, cooling performance, and other fluid-related design requirements.

                                    - Present simulation findings and technical recommendations to engineering teams and leadership.

                                    - Lead formal Engineering Design Reviews, facilitating cross-functional discussions to identify technical risks and ensure product readiness.

                                     - Collaborate with CAD Designers, Product Engineers, Manufacturing Engineers, Quality Engineers, Program Managers, and other stakeholders throughout the product development process.

                                     - Support root cause investigations by using simulation tools to evaluate field failures, manufacturing issues, and design concerns.

                                     - Maintain and improve the Engineering Knowledge Management database by documenting lessons learned, best practices, design guidelines, and technical standards.

                                     - Assist in developing engineering standards, design guidelines, and simulation methodologies.

                                    - Continuously improve simulation processes, workflows, and engineering tools.

                                    - Support prototype evaluations and correlate simulation results with physical testing when applicable.

Requirements:               The ideal candidate will possess a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, or a related engineering discipline, along with experience performing Finite Element Analysis (FEA) using ANSYS. A strong understanding of structural mechanics, heat transfer, vibration analysis, and the ability to interpret engineering drawings and 3D CAD models is essential. Candidates should demonstrate excellent analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate across cross-functional engineering teams while managing multiple projects in a fast-paced environment. Preferred candidates will have eight or more years of experience using ANSYS for FEA and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations, at least two years of experience with Creo Parametric, and a background in the automotive, transportation, or manufacturing industries. Experience with Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA), engineering design reviews, structured product development processes, and the development of engineering standards, design guidelines, or knowledge management systems is highly desirable.