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Crash Safety Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Vehicle CAE Safety Engineer is responsible for developing and optimizing vehicle crash safety performance using advanced computer-aided engineering (CAE) tools. This role supports regulatory and ...

The Vehicle CAE Safety Engineer is responsible for developing and optimizing vehicle crash safety ... Build and update full vehicle crash finite element models using ANSA and PRIMER . * Perform ...

PrincipalVehicle Safety Engineer

Troy, MI · On-site

$123K - $185K/yr

As a key member of our Safety team, you will play a critical role in shaping the crash performance ... We are seeking a highly motivated Vehicle Safety Engineer to join Slate's Safety team. This role ...

Sr. Occupant Safety Engineer Position Overview eShocan is seeking an experienced and highly ... Perform system-level analysis to evaluate occupant injury metrics across multiple crash ...

The Vehicle Safety Test Team is part of the Vehicle Safety Integration Department which focuses on ... We are looking for a hard-working automotive engineering test technician who is eager to use their ...

Posted today

The Vehicle Safety Test Team is part of the Vehicle Safety Integration Department which focuses on ... Review test plan with engineers to understand ATD/Dummy load case preparation and post-test action

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Crash Safety Engineer information

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How much do crash safety engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for crash safety engineer in the United States is $42.74, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $36.06 and $47.60 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by crash safety engineers when collaborating with cross-functional teams?

Crash Safety Engineers often work closely with design, manufacturing, and testing teams to ensure vehicle safety standards are met. A common challenge is balancing safety requirements with design constraints and production costs, which requires effective communication and negotiation skills. Additionally, aligning various teams on timelines and technical priorities can be complex, as each group may have different objectives. Successful Crash Safety Engineers proactively facilitate collaboration and employ problem-solving strategies to achieve optimal safety outcomes without compromising on other project goals.

What does a crash safety engineer do?

A Crash Safety Engineer is responsible for designing, testing, and improving vehicle structures and safety systems to protect occupants during collisions. They analyze crash data, simulate accidents using computer models, and conduct physical crash tests to assess a vehicle's performance under various impact scenarios. Their work helps ensure that vehicles meet regulatory safety standards and provide maximum protection to passengers in real-world crashes.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a crash safety engineer?

To thrive as a Crash Safety Engineer, you need a strong background in mechanical or automotive engineering, physics, and a solid understanding of vehicle safety standards, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with crash simulation software (such as LS-DYNA or HyperMesh), CAD tools, and knowledge of regulatory requirements like NCAP or FMVSS is essential. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills set top candidates apart in this field. These skills are vital for designing safer vehicles, ensuring regulatory compliance, and clearly conveying technical solutions within multidisciplinary teams.

What is the difference between Crash Safety Engineer vs Vehicle Safety Engineer?

AspectCrash Safety EngineerVehicle Safety Engineer
CertificationsOften requires engineering degrees, safety certifications, and crash test trainingSimilar certifications, with focus on overall vehicle safety standards
Work EnvironmentDesign labs, crash test facilities, automotive manufacturersDesign labs, testing centers, automotive industry
Industry UsagePrimarily in automotive crashworthiness and safety testingBroader, including vehicle systems, safety regulations, and compliance

Crash Safety Engineers focus specifically on vehicle crashworthiness and crash test analysis, while Vehicle Safety Engineers oversee overall vehicle safety systems and compliance. Both roles require similar credentials and work environments but differ in scope and focus within the automotive safety industry.

More about Crash Safety Engineer jobs
What states have the most Crash Safety Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Crash Safety Engineer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Crash Safety Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,901 per year, or $42.7 per hour.

CAE Crash and Safety Engineer

Detroit Engineered Products

Auburn Hills, MI • On-site

Contractor

Re-posted 25 days ago


Job description

Job Description
  • Crash Safety CAE Engineer:
  • This is a contract position for a Crash Safety CAE Engineer in Auburn Hills, MI. The role involves developing design strategies to meet crash safety targets at the vehicle, system, and component levels, ensuring compliance with global safety regulations and consumer rating protocols.
  • Responsibilities:
  • Lead vehicle design development using CAE, balancing all applicable global vehicle safety requirements.
  • Build and maintain full vehicle and system level CAE models following best practices, ensuring high simulation fidelity and results accuracy.
  • Perform CAE simulations for dynamic and quasi-static crash scenarios, including frontal, side, rear, pedestrian, occupant, and crash avoidance events.
  • Improve structural performance and efficiency with minimized weight and cost (topology, joints, weld/adhesive, gauge, lightweight materials, etc.).
  • Summarize simulation results in a clear and actionable format for development teams.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with Program Management, and other engineering teams (Studio, Body, Trims, Electrical, Electronics, Manufacturing, etc.).
  • Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
  • 8+ years of experience in full-vehicle crashworthiness and multi-physics CAE simulations.
  • Strong knowledge of global regulatory vehicle safety standards (AIS, ECE, FMVSS), consumer safety ratings (US-NCAP, Euro NCAP), and insurance ratings (IIHS, RCAR).
  • Strong understanding of structural mechanics and energy management in crashes based on first-principles physics.
  • Experience in developing crashworthy structures, occupant restraints, exterior and interior systems.
  • Proven ability to correlate the CAE results to physical test data and calibrate virtual models to reflect real-world performance.
  • Proficiency in LS-DYNA, ANSA, PRIMER, HYPERWORKS; familiarity with ADAS active safety simulations and AI/ML-based CAE tools is a plus.
  • Experience working on multiple vehicle platforms, including Electric, Hybrid, and Autonomous Vehicles.
  • Strong communication skills with ability to present results and influence cross-functional design decision