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The Nevada Automotive Test Center (NATC) is currently seeking talented candidates for a Modeling and Simulation Engineer I role at our Silver Springs, NV location. At NATC, our modeling and simulation engineers work directly with a team intent on designing, manufacturing, and testing innovative automotive mobility solutions.
Founded in 1957, the Nevada Automotive Test Center (NATC) is a privately owned, independent test, evaluation, design and engineering facility offering development and certification testing to customers worldwide. We have substantial international experience, which allows us to evaluate products intended for global markets knowledgeably and objectively. NATC has compiled an extensive database of worldwide operational and infrastructure conditions allowing accurate definition of user duty cycles and creation of test programs that are representative of service environments around the world. NATC is a leading innovator in translating real world conditions into validated virtual proving ground simulation and virtual prototyping.
NATC’s location in the great basin of Nevada allows our engineers to access terrain that can represent 85% of the world within a 150 mile radius, providing an excellent test bed for off-road mobility. NATC’s operational area includes 1200 sq. miles of natural terrain, that when coupled with 6,200 acres of privately owned test courses, create an unparalleled testing area available to our engineers to innovate and solve our customers problems. From motorcycles to M1 tanks to weapons systems to electrified autonomous vehicles, NATC has completed thousands of test programs as a one-stop shop for automotive development.
Position Summary:
NATC is currently searching for an entry level modeling and simulation engineer to work closely with a senior M&S engineer and physical test engineers to generate and modify vehicle models for the purpose of running simulated vehicle evaluations. The principal activity will be to conduct, under the supervision of senior personnel, vehicle dynamics modeling, simulation, and analysis of systems and sub systems for current and next generation commercial and military ground vehicles. Vehicle dynamics modeling tasks will consist of development of virtual models to represent vehicles still in the design phase or existing vehicles, simulation setup, simulation conduct, analysis of results, and to support adjustment and validation of the models through proving ground test. Vehicle systems requiring modeling and simulation include: chassis, suspension, steering, power train, and brakes. These individuals will be involved in the development and analysis of components, systems, and/or complete vehicles. Projects include modifications and improvements to existing vehicles, as well as development and evaluation (virtual and real world) of complete vehicle prototypes. In addition to typical dynamic automotive simulation events, NATC works with tracked and amphibious vehicles, and has performed many exploratory and irregular modeling and simulation events. Examples of exploratory modeling and simulation including novel cross-linked suspension systems, load handling equipment dynamics studies, soft soil and overall mobility model refinement studies, structural vibration and fatigue studies, and full vehicle optimization studies. NATC wishes to further expand their capabilities in modeling and simulation fields, including novel suspension systems, hybrid powertrains, and mobility modeling including the advancement of soft soil mobility models. Additionally, NATC intends to expand driver-in-the-loop simulation capabilities to better understand man-machine teaming. Furthermore, NATC would like to bring autonomous systems into the virtual world, not only for testing, but for training fuzzy-logic controllers. NATC is eager to hire a modeling and simulation engineer who would like to grow within the modeling and simulation field, and is able to adapt to and solve modeling and simulation challenges in the quickly changing automotive field. Furthermore, the ideal applicant would use their knowledge of modeling and simulation and their awareness of current challenges, whether perceived within industry or not, to find novel ways to employ modeling and simulation and advance vehicle technology.
Quality Statement:
It is the purpose of the Nevada Automotive Test Center (NATC) to pioneer value-added technical solutions with knowledge, excellence and integrity for our worldwide transportation partners, through personal commitment.
Safety Statement: 
It is the responsibility of all NATC employees to follow adopted safety policies and procedures and to take part in protecting themselves, their coworkers and the organization.
Essential Functions:
1.     Closely work with a senior modeling and simulation engineer to advance skillset and provide assistance with modeling and simulation tasks.
2.     Development of virtual vehicle, terrain, and subsystem models
  1. Physical measurements of existing vehicles and subsystems using scanners and other measurement devices.
  2. Create test plans for quantification of sub-components and conduct tests, i.e. measurement of bushing force-deflection curves. Process data to develop lookup table files.
  3. Conduct, or support, full system tests as necessary to generate simulation validation data as an adjunct to ongoing test and evaluation programs.
  4. Measurement of CAD hard points and other outputs (component mass, mass moments of inertia etc.) to support virtual vehicle modeling. Exporting CAD files, integration of geometry into the modeling and simulation environment.
  5. Definition of hard points, connections, kinematics, mass properties, and vehicle components (engine, struts, tires, track systems etc.).
  6. Development of FEM or modal neutral models to better represent component compliance and conduct structural studies.
  7. Development of soft soil modeling methodology, measurement of soil coefficients, and implementation of soft soil code.
  8. Optimization of simulation events to reduce simulation run time to the point where human-in-the-loop simulation is practical.
  9. Development of autonomous driver emulators and environments to allowing both autonomous testing and training.
3.     Setup virtual vehicle test simulations
  1. Setup of vehicle model parameterized values-weight, CG, tire pressure, driveline locks, track tension etc.
  2. Course definition-topography, path, soil conditions.
  3. Modification of driver controller to maintain selected path.
  4. Implementation of autonomous driver initial conditions and modes of operation.
4.     Simulation conduct
  1. Selection of solver settings.
  2. Debugging of failed runs.
  3. Creation of batch files to allow overnight runs.
  4. Human-in-the-loop test event conduct, including both manually controlling driver models, and evaluation of other driver’s virtual performance.
5.     Analysis and presentation of results
  1. Utilization of data processing tools within the modeling and simulation software suite, and scripts developed by NATC for data processing.
  2. Exporting of data for further analysis, or transfer to data processing personnel.
  3. Processing of data using excel, or other commercial data processing tools.
  4. Creation of graphs, video clips, and photos for reports.
  5. Analysis of vibrational modes, component strengths, and fatigue. Often using statistical methods to define confidence intervals.
  6. Correlation of soft soil model results with real-world test results.
  7. Statistical analysis of autonomous and human driver behavior and problem solving.
6.     Report development and review.
7.     Task management and status briefings.
8.     Other duties as assigned.
Marginal Functions:
1.     Use software to process data acquired during physical test to produce time histories, review data for anomalies, and measure results based on instruction from test engineers or senior data processing engineers.
2.     Perform or observe tests in the field in extreme temperature and/or environmental conditions to support modeling and simulation efforts.
3.     Operate Company vehicles in support of test operations.
4.     Support prototype equipment build.
Minimum Qualifications:
1.     Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Automotive Engineering, related field, or equivalent work experience combined with college degree in associated field. 
2.     Practical vehicle experience (Repair, maintenance, racing, off-road operations, military, etc.)
3.     Strong interpersonal skills.
4.     Experience with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
5.     Strong organizational and time management skills.
6.     Strong verbal and written communication skills to support field reports/briefings.
7.     Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects.
8.     Must possess or be able to obtain a current Nevada Driver’s License and maintain a good driving record.
Preferred Qualifications:
1.     Master's degree in Mechanical or Automotive Engineering.
2.     Knowledge of automotive fundamentals and vehicle systems.
3.     Experience with Pro/ENGINEER or similar modeling software packages.
4.     Experience with 3D scanning tools and software for generating point clouds, surface models, and parametric CAD geometry.
5.     Experience with ADAMS, DADS, or similar dynamic analysis software packages.
6.     Experience with Nastran or similar general purpose FEA software packages.
7.     Familiar with Dytran, LS-DYNA, or similar software packages for analyzing complex nonlinear behavior.
8.     Experience with Matlab and Simulink.
AAP/EEO Statement:
Nevada Automotive Test Center (NATC) values a diverse workforce and as an Equal Opportunity Employer, NATC does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other status legally protected by Federal, State, or Local law. NATC assures you that your opportunity with this Company depends solely on your qualifications and other job-related factors
Important Notice:
This position is not limited to those duties in the job description. Duties and responsibilities can be changed, expanded, reduced, or deleted to meet the business needs of Hodges Transportation, Inc./NATC. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Notify the Human Resources manager if you require any accommodation (s) to perform any of the essential functions of this position.
All employees of this Company are employees at will and, as such, are free to resign at any time without reason. The Company, likewise, retains the right to terminate an employee's employment at any time with or without reason or notice. Nothing contained in this document or any other document provided to the employee is intended to be, nor should it be, construed as a guarantee that employment or any benefit will be continued for any period of time. Any salary figures provided to an employee in annual or monthly terms are stated for the sake of convenience or to facilitate comparisons and are not intended and do not create an employment contract for any specific period of time.