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Finite Element Modeling Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

Human Performance Engineer

Houston, TX ยท On-site

$65K - $80K/yr

You bring experience with bone finite element modeling and mechanical properties. You use your experience and judgment to assess fracture risk under complex dynamic loading scenarios. You comply with ...

Utilize finite element and multi-physics modeling approaches to solve complex solid mechanics and poro-mechanics problems. * Integrate modeling results with laboratory data, field observations, and ...

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Finite Element Modeling information

See Texas salary details

$22K

$87.8K

$128.4K

How much do finite element modeling jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for finite element modeling in Texas is $87,753.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $70,794.00 and $107,290.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some typical projects or tasks that a professional specializing in Finite Element Modeling might work on?

A professional in Finite Element Modeling often works on projects involving the analysis and simulation of structures, components, or systems under various physical conditions. This can include stress analysis for mechanical parts, thermal simulations, vibration assessments, and optimizing designs for performance and safety. Daily tasks might involve creating detailed models, setting up boundary conditions, running simulations, and interpreting the results to inform engineering decisions. Collaboration with design engineers, project managers, and manufacturing teams is also common to ensure models align with real-world requirements, making the work both technically challenging and highly impactful.

What is a Finite Element Modeling job?

A Finite Element Modeling (FEM) job involves using numerical methods to simulate and analyze physical systems under various conditions. Professionals in this field create and refine models to predict structural behavior, thermal performance, fluid dynamics, and other physical phenomena. They work with specialized software like ANSYS, Abaqus, or COMSOL to ensure designs meet performance and safety standards. This role is crucial in industries like aerospace, automotive, civil engineering, and biomedical applications. Strong analytical skills, proficiency in FEM software, and a solid understanding of materials and physics are essential for success in this job.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Finite Element Modeling position, and why are they important?

To excel in Finite Element Modeling, a solid background in engineering, applied mathematics, and physics is essential, typically supplemented by a degree in mechanical, civil, or aerospace engineering. Familiarity with specialized simulation software such as ANSYS, Abaqus, or COMSOL, and relevant certifications in these tools, is highly valuable. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are key soft skills for this role. These capabilities enable accurate simulation, clear reporting, and productive collaboration across multidisciplinary engineering teams.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum engineering, aerospace engineering, and certain software engineering roles can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership responsibilities. High-level positions often require advanced degrees, certifications, and expertise in high-demand areas or management. Compensation varies by industry, location, and company size.

Is FEA a good career?

Finite Element Modeling (FEM) is a specialized engineering skill used in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and civil engineering to analyze complex structures. Careers in FEA often require proficiency with simulation software like ANSYS or Abaqus and can offer strong job prospects due to its application in product design and safety testing. Continuous learning and certification can enhance career growth in this field.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Highly experienced engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or certain senior roles in software engineering can earn $500,000 or more annually. These positions often require advanced skills, extensive experience, and sometimes leadership or executive responsibilities.

What engineers make $200,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering often earn $200,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and relevant certifications. Roles involving leadership, project management, or working in high-demand industries tend to have higher compensation levels.
Infographic showing various Finite Element Modeling job openings in Texas as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 63% Full Time, 32% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $87,753 per year, or $42.2 per hour.

Senior/Principal Finite Element Analyst - Thermomechanical & Structural Mechanics

Aalo Atomics

Austin, TX โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Posted 25 days ago


Job description

About Aalo Atomics
Aalo Atomics is pioneering a new era in clean energy with factory-fabricated microreactors designed to deliver affordable, scalable, and reliable nuclear power. Our mission is to make nuclear energy globally accessible, starting with the Aalo-1, a 10 MWe reactor leveraging cutting-edge safety, modularity, and efficiency. Based in Austin, TX, we're rapidly growing as we work to deploy the world's first fleet of advanced microreactors. Join us and help revolutionize energy for a sustainable future.
About the role
We are seeking a highly experienced Senior/Principal Finite Element Analyst to lead thermomechanical and structural analysis for advanced sodium-cooled reactor systems at Aalo.
In this role, you will own high-consequence finite element analysis for reactor structures, components, and supporting systems operating under demanding thermal, mechanical, seismic, fluid-coupled, and radiation environments. You will work closely with mechanical design, thermal-hydraulics, nuclear, materials, manufacturing, and licensing teams to turn complex physics into defensible engineering decisions.
This is a senior technical role for an analyst who can build models from first principles, challenge assumptions, interpret results with strong engineering judgment, and produce documentation suitable for nuclear-quality design and review.
What you'll do
  • Develop, execute, and maintain finite element models for reactor components, structures, and mechanical systems subject to coupled thermal and mechanical loading
  • Perform linear and nonlinear structural analysis, thermal stress analysis, fatigue evaluation, buckling assessment, modal/dynamic analysis, and seismic response analysis
  • Evaluate high-temperature components and structures against applicable nuclear design codes and standards, including ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III
  • Use NASTRAN and other commercial solvers to analyze complex load cases, boundary conditions, interfaces, and transient operating conditions
  • Support sodium-cooled reactor design by evaluating thermal gradients, pressure loads, mechanical loads, restraint loads, seismic loads, radiation effects, startup/shutdown transients, and off-normal events
  • Collaborate with thermal-hydraulics and reactor systems teams on fluid-structure interaction problems, flow-induced vibration, thermal striping, and coupled structural response
  • Translate analysis results into clear design recommendations, safety margins, test requirements, and engineering tradeoffs
  • Prepare high-quality technical reports, calculation packages, and analysis documentation for internal design reviews, licensing support, and quality-controlled engineering work
  • Establish modeling standards, verification practices, analysis templates, and review expectations for structural and thermomechanical analysis at Aalo
  • Mentor engineers and analysts; serve as a technical authority for finite element methods, structural mechanics, and thermomechanical design evaluation

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Civil/Structural Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related discipline
  • 10+ years of professional finite element analysis experience in nuclear, aerospace, energy, pressure systems, defense, or another high-consequence engineering environment
  • Deep understanding of structural mechanics, thermomechanics, heat transfer, stress analysis, and finite element methods
  • Strong experience with NASTRAN for structural, thermal, modal, dynamic, or coupled analysis
  • Experience evaluating pressure-retaining components, reactor internals, piping, support structures, heat exchangers, high-temperature equipment, or similar safety-critical hardware
  • Working knowledge of ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III
  • Demonstrated ability to define load cases, boundary conditions, contacts/interfaces, mesh strategies, convergence checks, and model verification approaches
  • Strong engineering judgment and ability to determine whether analysis results are physically reasonable
  • Proven ability to write clear technical documentation and defend assumptions, methods, results, and conclusions in rigorous design reviews

Preferred Qualifications
  • Master's or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Structural Engineering, or related discipline
  • Direct experience with nuclear reactor systems, sodium-cooled reactors, advanced reactors, reactor internals, or nuclear-grade mechanical systems
  • Experience with fluid-structure interaction, flow-induced vibration, thermal striping, sloshing, acoustic loading, or coupled thermal-hydraulic/structural analysis
  • Experience evaluating structures and components exposed to neutron irradiation, radiation-induced material degradation, swelling, embrittlement, irradiation creep, or other reactor-environment effects.
  • Experience with ASME Section III Division 1 or Division 5 design-by-analysis methods
  • Experience with fatigue, creep, creep-fatigue, fracture mechanics, ratcheting, shakedown, plastic collapse, or high-temperature structural design
  • Experience supporting DOE, NRC, national laboratory, or nuclear licensing projects
  • Familiarity with NQA-1, quality-controlled analysis workflows, model V&V, and configuration-controlled calculation packages
  • Experience with additional tools such as Abaqus, ANSYS Mechanical, LS-DYNA, COMSOL, Femap, HyperMesh, Simcenter 3D, or in-house analysis automation
  • Experience developing analysis automation, post-processing scripts, or standardized workflows using AI, Python, MATLAB, or similar tools

Requirements:
  • Based in the United States
  • Willing to work on-site in Austin, TX

What We Offer:
  • Health, Dental, Vision Insurance
  • Paid Time Off
  • Corporate Gym Membership

Additional Information:
Aalo Atomics provides a collaborative and supportive work environment, opportunities for professional growth, intellectually challenging careers, and competitive compensation. Aalo Atomics is an equal opportunity employer and considers all employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Applicants must be U.S. Citizens or U.S. Persons in compliance with 10 CFR Part 810 and may not hold non-compliant foreign citizenships.
Direct applicants only. No recruiters or staffing agencies, please.