Mechanical Engineer - Structural Simulation

Door Dash Labs is the hardware and autonomy innovation engine  design, build, and deploy custom robotics and autonomous delivery systems designed to operate safely, efficiently, and reliably in urban environments. We are currently kicking off development on our clean-sheet, next-generation robot platform-rethinking the mobility foundation from first principles to dramatically improve efficiency, payload dynamics, and service lifetime.

As a Senior Structural Simulation Engineer (Level IC5), you will be the foundational structural analysis authority for Door Dash Labs. You will own structural finite element analysis (FEA) across our next-generation robotic platform, working directly on core vehicle architecture—including chassis systems, suspension, closures, and sensor enclosures. This role will be heavily focused on future-forward designs starting from the early concept phase.

In your first 90 days, you will drive our architectural exploration, define early vehicle load cases, and make strategic software ecosystem decisions (including standardizing and driving our commercial commitments around simulation tools). As development advances, you will shift from rapid concept modeling to production-intent structural refinement and physical test-to-simulation correlation.

• Build From Day Zero:
  Lead structural concept validation for a ground-up robotic platform, running high-velocity trade studies alongside chassis, suspension, and closures engineers.
• Define Our Tooling & Workflows:
  Evaluate, select, and operationalize our primary CAE/FEA software tech stack (with an emphasis on ANSYS-based suites), negotiating capabilities and technical fit directly with vendors.
• Establish Load Cases & Criteria:
  Formulate first-principles structural load cases, fatigue histories, stiffness benchmarks, and failure criteria for dynamic ground vehicle environments where little historical data exists.
• Simulate Critical Vehicle Subsystems:
  Execute complex static, dynamic, modal, durability, and fatigue analyses on structural enclosures, cast and sheet-metal subframes, linkages, and moving mechanisms.
• Drive Test-Simulation Correlation:
  Partner with physical test teams to correlate strain gauge, modal shaker, and dynamic field testing data back into simulation models to maximize predictive accuracy.
• Influence Primary Architecture:
  Act as the math-first checkpoint for mechanical design decisions, steering CAD geometry toward optimized strength-to-weight ratios before parts hit prototype tooling.

• Prior experience establishing or transitioning a company’s CAE software stack from scratch.
• Background in topology optimization, light weighting cast/extruded aluminum structures, or composite material modeling.
• Direct experience running durability and fatigue analysis on systems subject to rough-road, curb-strike, or cyclic vibrational abuse.
• Working familiarity with CAD tools (e.g., NX, Solid Works, or Creo) for rapid geometry defeature and design iteration.

The successful candidate’s starting pay will fall within the pay range listed below and is determined based on job-related factors including, but not limited to, skills, experience, qualifications, work location, and market conditions. Base salary is localized according to an employee’s work location. Ranges are market-dependent and may be modified in the future. In addition to base salary, the compensation for this role includes opportunities for equity grants.

Door Dash cares about you and your overall well-being. That’s why we offer a comprehensive benefits package to all regular employees, which includes a 401(k) plan with employer matching, 16 weeks of paid parental leave, wellness benefits,…