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Senior Fea Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

TRL11, Inc.

Sr. FEA Engineer (Thermal and Structural)

Irvine, CA · On-site

$120/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

TRL11 is looking for an engineer with experience in finite element analysis (FEA). This role will support primarily thermal but also structural and optical simulation, contribute to test plans and ...

TRL11, Inc.

Sr. FEA Engineer (Thermal and Structural)

Irvine, CA · On-site

$120/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

TRL11 is looking for an engineer with experience in finite element analysis (FEA). This role will support primarily thermal but also structural and optical simulation, contribute to test plans and ...

Broadcom

IC Package Mechanical FEA Engineer (R&D)

San Jose, CA · On-site

$108K - $172K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Use advanced FEA to quantify and optimize reliability and manufacturing * Measure and experiment to ... Create presentations for and present to various audiences : engineers, managers, senior management ...

VPE Thermal LLC

Be Seen First

FEA Mechanical Engineer

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$100K - $135K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As an FEA mechanical engineer at VPE Thermal, your primary role will revolve around developing simulations of heat exchanger designs provided by a senior engineer. Your work will focus on thermal ...

Parallel Systems

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$112K - $148K/yr

Senior Mechanical Engineer Parallel Systems is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer with expertise ... Perform finite element analysis (FEA) for structural, fatigue, and modal performance. * Investigate ...

Amca

Senior Magnetics Engineer

El Segundo, CA

$111K - $152K/yr

Overview The Senior Magnetics Engineer leads the design of Amca's magnetic components and ... Perform magnetic analysis and FEA to predict flux, force, inductance, and losses. * Model core loss ...

SpaceX

Sr. Mechanical Engineer (Starship Avionics)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$130K - $180K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

SR. MECHANICAL ENGINEER (STARSHIP AVIONICS) The Starship team supports the mission to revolutionize ... Experience with CAD and FEA software packages * 5+ years of professional experience with mechanical ...

Rocket Lab Corporation

Senior Mechanical Engineer I/II

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$109K - $145K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Design mechanisms and structures in CAD and analyze using hand calcs and FEA * Lead requirements ... SENIOR MECHANICAL ENGINEER I: * Bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering field * 5+ years ...

Pacific Fusion

Senior Structures Engineer

San Leandro, CA · On-site

$113K - $154K/yr

Why This Role Matters Pacific Fusion is looking for a Senior Structures Engineer to help with ... Expertise in engineering analysis, including the application of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) for ...

Anduril Industries

Senior Thermal Engineer

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$112K - $154K/yr

About the Job We are looking for a Senior Thermal Engineer to join our team in Costa Mesa, CA. In ... Build and maintain thermal FEA / CFD models to predict system performance, establish design limits ...

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Senior Fea Engineer information

See California salary details

$58.7K

$124.9K

$181.1K

How much do senior fea engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior fea engineer in California is $124,900.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $103,100.00 and $141,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the senior FEA engineer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior FEA Engineer, you need advanced knowledge of finite element analysis principles, mechanical engineering concepts, and typically a bachelor's or master's degree in engineering. Expertise with FEA software such as ANSYS, Abaqus, or NASTRAN, along with proficiency in CAD tools and relevant industry certifications, is highly valued. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate complex findings to multidisciplinary teams are crucial soft skills. These abilities ensure accurate simulations, effective collaboration, and innovative solutions in product design and structural analysis projects.

What are some common daily responsibilities for a senior FEA engineer?

A Senior FEA Engineer typically spends their workdays creating and validating finite element models, analyzing simulation results, and preparing detailed technical reports for project teams and stakeholders. You may collaborate closely with design engineers, project managers, and manufacturing teams to propose optimization solutions or address engineering challenges. Reviewing and mentoring the work of junior engineers and staying current with advancements in simulation tools are also common responsibilities. This role is highly collaborative, with frequent opportunities to influence product design decisions and ensure the structural integrity and performance of engineering solutions.

What is a senior FEA engineer?

A Senior FEA (Finite Element Analysis) Engineer is responsible for performing advanced structural, thermal, and mechanical simulations to evaluate product designs. They use finite element methods to analyze stress, strain, fatigue, and other performance factors, ensuring products meet safety and performance standards. They also collaborate with design, manufacturing, and testing teams to optimize designs and troubleshoot engineering challenges. Strong knowledge of FEA software (such as ANSYS or Abaqus) and industry standards is essential. This role typically requires several years of experience in structural analysis, material behavior, and computational modeling.

What are popular job titles related to Senior Fea Engineer jobs in California?

For Senior Fea Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Senior Fea Engineer jobs in California look for?

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Senior Fea Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Fea Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $124,900 per year, or $60 per hour.

Sr. FEA Engineer (Thermal and Structural)

TRL11, Inc.

Irvine, CA • On-site

$120/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 22 days ago

Job description

TRL11 is a startup based in Irvine, CA developing novel video and imaging systems for spacecraft, enabling visual intelligence from the final frontier. TRL11 is looking for an engineer with experience in finite element analysis (FEA). This role will support primarily thermal but also structural and optical simulation, contribute to test plans and test execution, support systems engineering, and develop TRL11's end to end simulation capabilities. This role is an opportunity to have a large influence on TRL11's simulation practices, and is well suited to someone who is eager to dive in and contribute from day one.
Responsibilities
  • Develop and maintain high-fidelity finite element models for both iterative design analysis and final verification sign-off
  • Perform thermal analyses for on-orbit environments including solar loading, radiation, and internal heat dissipation
  • Perform structural analyses for launch environments including quasi-static loads, vibration, and shock
  • Execute coupled thermo-mechanical simulations to evaluate distortion and performance impacts, especially for optically sensitive systems
  • Model thermal behavior driven by solar illumination angles, radiative exchange, and conductive heat paths
  • Analyze thermal performance of electronic systems with a focus on heat rejection and maintaining operating temperature limits
  • Correlate simulation models with test data from vibration, shock, thermal, and thermal vacuum (TVAC) testing
  • Define simulation assumptions, boundary conditions, and methodologies consistent with aerospace and DoD program expectations
  • Generate clear, defensible analysis reports to support design reviews, technical decisions, and program milestones
  • Partner closely with mechanical, optical, and electrical engineers to drive design decisions through simulation insights
  • Support definition of test plans and instrumentation to enable model validation and correlation
  • Own and evolve simulation workflows, including meshing strategies, solver selection, and toolchain improvements

Requirements
Minimum:
  • 5-10 years of experience in simulation, mechanical, or aerospace engineering with strong hands-on FEA capabilities for thermal (steady-state and transient) and structural (stress, vibration, shock) analysis
  • Proven ability to perform both iterative design simulations and high-fidelity verification, including developing and validating correlated models using test data
  • Solid understanding of heat transfer (conduction, radiation) and structural mechanics, with the ability to define appropriate assumptions, boundary conditions, and model fidelity
  • Experience supporting analyses aligned with aerospace or defense program requirements and communicating results clearly to cross-functional teams
  • Proficiency with CAE tools such as ANSYS, Abaqus, COMSOL, Simscale, or similar
  • Bachelors degree in Engineering or a related field

Preferred:
  • 5-10 years of experience in simulation, mechanical, or aerospace engineering with strong hands-on FEA capabilities for thermal (steady-state and transient) and structural (stress, vibration, shock) analysis
  • Proven ability to perform both iterative design simulations and high-fidelity verification, including developing and validating correlated models using test data
  • Solid understanding of heat transfer (conduction, radiation) and structural mechanics, with the ability to define appropriate assumptions, boundary conditions, and model fidelity
  • Experience supporting analyses aligned with aerospace or defense program requirements and communicating results clearly to cross-functional teams
  • Proficiency with CAE tools such as ANSYS, Abaqus, COMSOL, Simscale, or similar
  • Bachelors degree in Engineering or a related field

Benefits
  • Fast paced, energetic startup culture, where you'll learn a lot, have great impact, and have fun doing it
  • 401k, Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
  • Unlimited Paid Time Off (with prior approval), for Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays, Parental Leave
  • Possible Stock Option Plan participation, based on performance and tenure.
  • Salary range $120-180k

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