Senior Engineer, Modeling & Simulation

Position Overview

Senior Engineer, Modeling and Simulation will lead state‑of‑the‑art materials development and evaluation through modeling, simulation, and software development at LIFT. Reporting to the Engineering Director, Modeling and Simulation, the candidate will drive innovations in material simulation across multiple domains—from atomistic to meso‑to‑macro scales—to deliver innovative materials and manufacturing solutions for both internal programs and collaborators within the ecosystem. The role is based at LIFT ALMMII Headquarters in Detroit, MI.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop application‑focused performance simulations to support projects within time and budget constraints, both internally at LIFT and with ecosystem member organizations.
• Conceive and develop ideas and project plans for innovative modeling and simulation development programs.
• Document and communicate development initiatives through progress reports, presentations, conferences, and stakeholder communications.
• Support program development efforts, including preparation of white papers and proposals.

Preferred Qualifications

• A degree in Materials, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field with 3‑5 years’ experience.
• Experience with ab‑initio prediction of material property modeling at the atomistic scale (e.g., molecular dynamics) and/or meso‑to‑macro scale material property modeling (e.g., crystal plasticity) for metals/ceramics.
• Experience with molecular dynamics for modeling phenomena such as single‑crystal mechanical property prediction, interfacial energies/reactivity, and diffusion, and/or experience with crystal plasticity for polycrystalline mechanical properties for downstream FEA models.
• Proficiency in programming, scientific computing, and object‑oriented programming (e.g., C++ and/or Python).
• Experience working in a collaborative coding environment using version control, continuous integration, and code reviews.
• Experience developing routines around software application programming interfaces (APIs).
• Knowledge of software chaining, CAE tool interface(s), GUI construction, I/O and hardware control is a plus.
• Experience with electronic structure modeling (e.g., density functional theory) is a plus.
• Experience in developing machine learning/artificial intelligence models to bridge microstructure to properties is a plus.
• Proven ability to ideate, plan, and execute technical work in an R&D or manufacturing environment.
• Ability to operate within a project‑based technology development environment and work with multi‑disciplinary teams on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Organizational Background

About LIFT: Operated by the American Lightweight Materials Manufacturing Innovation Institute (ALMMII), LIFT is a nonprofit, public‑private partnership and national advanced manufacturing innovation institute. LIFT accelerates the convergence of government, industry, and academia in advanced materials, manufacturing processes, systems engineering, and talent development to enhance America’s manufacturing competitiveness, national economy, and security.