Staff CAE Engineer
About the role
Lime is seeking a Staff CAE Engineer to lead structural integrity, safety, and weight optimization of our next-generation shared micro-mobility vehicles and infrastructure. This role requires 10+ years of CAE simulation and mechanical design experience on commercialized products.
Responsibilities
Own the advanced simulation of our complex electro-mechanical locking ecosystem (including battery, hub, helmet, lock-to, and docking modules).
Utilize Multibody Dynamics (MBD) and non-linear transient analysis to ensure these assets withstand extreme real-world impact and intentional vandalism before committing to production tooling.
Drive the optimization of vehicle frames and weldments early in the design cycle. Use precise fatigue and weldment simulations to safely strip away conservative margins, lowering per-unit manufacturing costs and vehicle weight before designs are locked for tooling.
Lead high-fidelity explicit dynamics simulations for severe, short-duration impact events (drops, sidefalls, curb strikes) alongside random vibration analysis to replicate aggressive road testing virtually.
Partner closely with the Reliability engineering team to correlate analytical CAE models with lab tests and actual field failure data, continuously elevating Lime's predictive engineering capabilities.
Partner cross-functionally with internal engineering units and external suppliers globally. Support vehicle builds directly at our Asian Contract Manufacturers (CMs), which includes international travel approximately 2–3 times per year.
Requirements
Education: MSc in Mechanical Engineering (or a related engineering discipline), or equivalent practical experience.
Experience: 10+ years of CAE simulation and mechanical design experience on commercialized products. Proven portfolio in advanced structural optimization, non-linear analysis, and mechanism design.
Qualifications
Deep, first-principles understanding of solid mechanics, materials, elasticity, plasticity, fatigue, and weldment/fracture mechanics.
Mastery of Multibody Dynamics (MBD), explicit vs. implicit solvers, non-linear transient mechanics, and random vibration (NVH) analysis.
Advanced proficiency in Abaqus (highly preferred), SIMULIA suites (Fe-Safe, Tosca, iSight), or equivalent high-end solvers, alongside 3D CAD software (SolidWorks preferred).
Proven ability to build simulation automation workflows for efficient model processing using Python or MATLAB.
Pragmatic mindset: Highly autonomous problem solver who knows how to translate raw simulation data into actionable design directives and knows when to simulate versus when to physically prototype.
Material Expertise: Aluminum metallurgy (6000 series), advanced manufacturing (HPDC casting, forging, extrusion), heat treatment (T4/T6), fatigue & fracture mechanics (S-N Curves, crack propagation), and weldment analysis.
Skills
Prior engineering experience within the automotive, bicycle, or micromobility-adjacent industries.
Benefits
Comprehensive Health & Wellness: A choice of medical, dental, and vision plans. We also provide company-paid life and disability insurance and company-funded mental health benefits.
Financial & Retirement Planning: 401(k) plan with both pre-tax and Roth options, and access to a Health Savings Account (HSA) with a monthly company contribution.
Family & Fertility Support: Paid parental leave for birthing and non-birthing parents, plus fertility and family-forming benefits.
Paid Time Off: Unlimited vacation, paid leaves, and 10 company holidays.
Unique Lime Perks: Complimentary use of Lime vehicles in participating cities, a monthly phone allowance, dedicated learning and development days, and access to perks including One Medical, Wellhub, and Headspace.
Pay
$142K - $196K
Schedule
This is a hybrid position that combines remote and onsite work. The incumbent will be required to be onsite at our San Francisco Hardware Development Lab 2+ days each week.