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Mechanical Simulation Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Koch Industries

Staff Simulation Engineer

Lisle, IL · On-site

$100K - $130K/yr

Collaborate with mechanical, mechatronics, and PCB design engineers to translate simulation results into actionable design changes * Perform structural and thermal FEA on cold plate assemblies ...

New

Del Medical

Mechanical Design Engineer

Bloomingdale, IL · On-site

$80 - $100/hr

... Mechanical Design Engineer, you will play a key role in the design and development of medical ... Use FEA and other simulation tools to validate designs for performance, reliability, and compliance ...

Koch Industries

Simulation R&D Engineer

Lisle, IL · On-site

$90K - $120K/yr

Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, or a related field. * Strong ... Prior exposure to AI-driven simulation frameworks such as PhysicsAI, SimAI, or equivalent platforms.

Auria

Modeling & Simulation Analyst

Chicago, IL · On-site

$90 - $130/hr

Auriais seeking Modeling & Simulation (M&S) Analysts to support the National Space Defense Center ... Requires strong knowledge of space operations, orbital mechanics, and the Space Domain ...

New

Koch Industries

Sr. Mechanical Engineer - Thermal

Lisle, IL · On-site

$100K - $130K/yr

Develop and validate CFD simulations of the active thermal management system, including turbulence ... Collaborate with Mechanical Engineers and CAD Designers on cold plate channel geometry and active ...

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Mechanical Simulation information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$40.2K

$127.1K

$196.2K

How much do mechanical simulation jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for mechanical simulation in Chicago, IL is $127,119.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $94,800.00 and $150,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is mechanical simulation?

Mechanical simulation is the use of computer software to model, analyze, and predict the behavior of mechanical systems under various conditions. It allows engineers to visualize how parts and assemblies will perform in real-world scenarios, such as under stress, heat, or motion, without the need for physical prototypes. This process helps identify potential issues early, optimize designs, and save both time and resources in product development.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a mechanical simulation engineer?

To thrive as a Mechanical Simulation Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical engineering principles, mathematics, and physics, usually supported by a relevant engineering degree. Expertise with simulation software such as ANSYS, Abaqus, or SolidWorks, along with proficiency in programming languages like Python or MATLAB, is commonly required. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help you interpret results and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. These skills ensure accurate modeling, efficient problem resolution, and successful project outcomes in complex engineering environments.

What are some typical collaboration points between mechanical simulation engineers and other departments within a company?

Mechanical simulation engineers frequently work alongside design, manufacturing, and testing teams to ensure that virtual models accurately represent real-world conditions. They often consult with design engineers to clarify requirements and with manufacturing teams to address feasibility concerns. Regular meetings and reviews help align simulation results with project goals, and close collaboration with testing teams ensures that simulation outcomes are validated against physical prototypes. This multidisciplinary interaction is crucial for optimizing product performance and reducing development time.

What is the difference between Mechanical Simulation vs Mechanical Design?

AspectMechanical SimulationMechanical Design
Primary FocusAnalyzing and testing mechanical systems using simulation softwareCreating and developing mechanical components and assemblies
Required SkillsKnowledge of FEA, CAD, and simulation toolsCAD design, engineering principles, and product development
Work EnvironmentOften involves software modeling, testing labs, or virtual environmentsDesign studios, engineering offices, or manufacturing settings
Common CertificationsFEA certifications, CAD software certificationsProfessional engineering licenses, CAD certifications

Mechanical Simulation and Mechanical Design are closely related roles within the engineering field. Mechanical Simulation focuses on analyzing and validating mechanical systems through software tools, while Mechanical Design emphasizes creating and developing those systems. Both roles often require similar technical skills and certifications, but their core activities differ—one tests and predicts performance, the other designs and develops products.

Mechanical Simulation jobs near you
Infographic showing various Mechanical Simulation job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 95% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $127,119 per year, or $61.1 per hour.

Staff Simulation Engineer

Koch Industries

Lisle, IL • On-site

$100K - $130K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

New

Koch Industries rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 53 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

137th of 545 rated manufacturers

Job description

Your Job
As part of Molex's strategic investment in CAEPlus and the ongoing development of next-generation AI data center thermal management solutions, this position will operate in a unique collaboration model between the two organizations. While employed by Molex and receiving all Molex employment benefits, the successful candidate will work closely with the CAEPlus team and focus primarily on advancing CAEPlus technologies, products, and innovation initiatives. This role offers the entrepreneurial environment of a growing technology venture combined with the resources, stability, and engineering expertise of a global industry leader.
This role leads thermal-fluid and multi-physics simulation for the BoundaryCool™ active cooling platform, driving design decisions across cold plate geometry, fluid dynamics, and the active cooling actuation system. The engineer will own the simulation workflow from concept modeling through prototype correlation; using CFD, conjugate heat transfer (CHT), and FEA to predict and optimize fluid dynamics behavior, thermal performance, and mechanical integrity. Working directly with the CAEPlus founder and Mechanical Engineer team, this individual will translate simulation insight into design guidance that shortens development cycles and de-risks the path from concept to validated hardware.
What You Will Do
  • Lead CFD and thermal-fluid simulation of active cold plate designs, including laminar and turbulence modeling, and fluid dynamic behavior at the chip interface
  • Develop and validate multi-physics models, such as conjugate heat transfer (CHT) and, where needed, fluid-structure interaction (FSI), correlating predicted thermal and hydraulic performance to prototype test data
  • Collaborate with mechanical, mechatronics, and PCB design engineers to translate simulation results into actionable design changes
  • Perform structural and thermal FEA on cold plate assemblies, housing, and active actuation system components
  • Simulate potential leakage pathways and failure modes in cold plate and manifold assemblies across the overall cooling system
  • Support design of experiments (DOE) for prototype validation testing correlated against simulation predictions
  • Own simulation toolchain setup, meshing strategy, and solver configuration for complex internal cold plate geometries
  • Support the invention disclosure and patent process by generating simulation data, figures, and technical substantiation
  • Develop 1D system-level simulation models, reduced-order models or empirical correlations to accelerate design iteration
  • Support customer-facing technical presentations with simulation-backed performance data

Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)
  • BS in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent
  • 7+ years of experience in CFD, FEA, conjugate heat transfer (CHT), and multi-physics simulation
  • Proficiency with commercial CFD tools (Ansys Fluent, CFX, STAR-CCM+, or equivalent)
  • Proficiency with FEA tools (Ansys Mechanical, Abaqus, or equivalent)
  • Experience simulating liquid cooling hardware: cold plates, manifolds, heat exchangers
  • Strong understanding of fluid dynamics, heat transfer, and thermal-hydraulic system design
  • Demonstrated experience correlating simulation results to physical test data

What Will Put You Ahead
  • MS or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Thermal Sciences, or a related field
  • Experience with advanced meshing techniques (dynamic meshing, adaptive meshing, etc.) for dynamic models, such as rotating machinery or pumps
  • Experience with two-phase flow or boiling heat transfer simulation
  • Familiarity with Open Compute Project (OCP) thermal standards
  • Experience developing 1D system-level simulation models, reduced-order models, or surrogate models for rapid design iteration
  • Python or MATLAB scripting for simulation automation and post-processing
  • Experience supporting patent disclosures with simulation-based technical evidence

For this role, we anticipate paying $100,000 - $130,000 per year. This role is eligible for variable pay, issued as a monetary bonus or in another form.
At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ways to create value and get rewarded for our individual contributions. Any compensation range provided for a role is an estimate determined by available market data. The actual amount may be higher or lower than the range provided considering each candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, and geographic location. If you have questions, please speak to your recruiter about the flexibility and detail of our compensation philosophy.
Hiring Philosophy
All Koch companies value diversity of thought, perspectives, aptitudes, experiences, and backgrounds. We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophy here .
Who We Are
At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.
Our Benefits
Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength - focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most. Our benefits plan includes - medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance. Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region. If you have questions on what benefits apply to you, please speak to your recruiter.
Additionally, everyone has individual work and personal needs. We seek to enable the best work environment that helps you and the business work together to produce superior results.
Equal Opportunities
Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, some offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify. Please click here for additional information. (For Illinois E-Verify information click here , aquí , or tu ).
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