JobsMercury Marine

Engineering Manager - FEA Lead

Mercury Marine · Fond du Lac, WI

Posted Sep 17, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 20, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

Behavioral

Describe how you've coordinated a work package split between an onsite team and an offshore team. What broke down and how did you fix it?

real experience managing distributed teams, not just claiming to have done it

Tell me about a time an analysis result contradicted what the design team wanted to hear. How did you handle presenting that?

whether they can hold technical ground under pressure while staying collaborative with design partners

Walk me through how you'd mentor a mid-level analyst who keeps getting inconsistent mesh quality or convergence issues. What's your coaching approach?

whether they actually teach modeling fundamentals versus just fixing the model themselves

Tell me about a new analysis method or tool you introduced to a team. What was the resistance and how did you get people to adopt it?

track record of driving process improvement rather than just executing established methods

Technical

Walk me through a time you had to validate a nonlinear FEA model against physical test data and the correlation didn't match at first. What did you do?

whether the candidate has real hands-on correlation experience and a disciplined debugging process, not just software familiarity

Tell me about the most complex fatigue analysis you've run on an engine or drive system component. What loading assumptions and failure criteria did you use?

depth of applied fatigue theory knowledge versus surface-level tool usage

How would you set up a model to capture both contact nonlinearity and large deflection in a structural component, and what would make you choose implicit versus explicit solvers?

practical judgment on solver selection, a common decision point for this role

What's your experience running jobs on an HPC cluster, and how have you handled a situation where a job queue or Slurm scheduling was holding up a critical deliverable?

hands-on infrastructure familiarity beyond desktop FEA work

Give me an example of feeding FEA results into a DFMEA. What did that process actually look like and who did you have to convince?

whether they understand how analysis output translates into formal design risk documentation used cross-functionally

Situational

You have 4 to 6 analysts and a program milestone coming up fast. Two of your best people are already overloaded and a third is mid-onboarding. How do you divide the work?

ability to balance workload realistically while protecting quality and junior development

How do you decide when a design trade-off study needs a full nonlinear FEA run versus a faster simplified analysis to hit a program deadline?

pragmatic judgment about balancing analysis rigor against schedule pressure

If you found out two weeks before a milestone that a component's modal analysis showed a resonance issue nobody had flagged, what would you do first?

crisis judgment and communication instincts when bad news surfaces late in a program

How do you typically split your own time between hands-on analysis work and managing your team, and what happens when both demand your attention at once?

realistic self-awareness about the 60/40 technical-to-management split this role requires

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The full job description

As published by Mercury Marine.

Are you ready for what’s next?   Come explore opportunities within Brunswick, a global marine leader committed to challenging conventions and innovating next-generation technologies that transform experiences on the water and beyond.  Brunswick believes “Next Never Rests™,” and we offer a variety of exciting careers and growth opportunities within united teams defining the future of marine recreation.  Innovation is the heart of Brunswick.  See how your contributions will help transform vision into reality: Position Overview :  As an Engineering Manager - Finite Element Analysis ( FEA Lead) you will lead a high-performing team of analysis engineers supporting the design and development of conventional marine internal combustion engines, drive systems, electrified propulsion and vessels. The ideal candidate must bring a blend of deep FEA expertise, strong people‑leadership skills, and a passion for elevating engineering analysis capabilities across the organization. You'll coach engineers through challenging analysis problems, guide long‑term technical vision, and partner closely with cross‑functional design, test, and manufacturing teams to influence product architecture and ensure robust engineering decisions.                                           At Brunswick, we have passion for our work and a distinct ability to deliver. Essential Functions: • Provide both technical leadership and team leadership with active execution, requiring ~60% of their time performing hands-on analysis and ~40% on team leadership/management. • Serve as primary technical expert in FEA and CAE, guiding complex simulations involving non-linear material behavior, fatigue, dynamics, impact and multi-physics interactions. Develop and validate advanced analysis methodologies that support engine, drive system, and structural component development. • Mentor junior, mid‑level and senior analysts, providing coaching/guidance on modeling approaches, simulation setup, scripting, correlation techniques, and interpretation of results. • Manage and balance the workload for a group of 4–6 analysts, ensuring high‑quality deliverables and on‑time execution. • Coordinate work packages between onsite and offshore teams, inclusive of managing project timelines, ensuring clear communication between teams, and maintaining high standards of quality and consistency in deliverables. • Collaborate with design, test, and manufacturing teams to support design decisions, DFMEA inputs, and program milestones. • Work closely with design and development engineers to help provide design input and perform trade-off studies that will improve the product, inclusive of evaluating different design options and assessing their impact on performance, weight, cost, and recommending the best solutions. • Document analysis findings and share the results with stakeholders, engineering partners, and leaders. This includes preparing detailed reports, presenting findings in meetings, and providing actionable recommendations based on analysis results. • Identify potential areas for new method development and work with experts to test and deploy. • Continuously seeking opportunities for improving analysis processes, tools, and methodologies. Diversity of thought and experiences is fundamental when imagining the unimaginable. Certain skillsets/experiences are necessary; however, others can be developed along the way. Required Qualifications: • Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field. • 10+ years of experience in Computer Aided Engineering (CAE). • 3+ years of experience in leading/managing a group of engineers performing Finite Element Analysis (FEA) using Abaqus, Ansys, or similar commercial software. • Strong fundamental understanding of statics, dynamics, engineering mechanics and materials. • Exposure to numerical methods and engineering analysis. Preferred Qualifications: • MS or PhD in Mechanical Engineering with emphasis in solid mechanics, vibrations, dynamics, finite element method, mechanics of materials, fatigue theory, IC engines and e-Machines. • Experience in the following areas: FEA using Abaqus, Dynamic FEA (modal analysis & forced response), Explicit Dynamic FEA (impact), Multi Body Dynamics Analysis using MSC Adams, Non-linear stress analysis (material, contact, large deflection), FEA based fatigue analysis (feSafe/CAE Fatige experience preferred), Mesh generation and model set-up (Altair SimLab/HyperMesh and/or Abaqus/CAE). • Usage of High-Performance Computing (HPC) cluster with Linux OS and Slurm scheduler. • Working knowledge of conventional engines and marine propulsion systems. • Knowledge of test instrumentation (strain gauges, accelerometers, thermocouples, pressure transducers, flow meters, etc.,.). The anticipated pay range for this position is $103,200 - $164,500 annually.  The actual base pay offered will vary depending on multiple factors including job-related knowledge/skills, relevant experience, business needs, and geographic location.  In addition to base pay, this position is eligible for an annual discretionary bonus program. At Brunswick, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top end of the salary range for their role. Compensation decisions are dependent upon the specifics of the candidate’s qualifications and the business context. This position is eligible to participate in Brunswick's comprehensive and high-quality benefits offerings, including medical, dental, vision, paid vacation, 401k (up to 4% match), Health Savings Account (with company contribution), wellbeing program, product purchase discounts and much more.  Details about our benefits can be found here . Next is Now!   We value growth and development, recognizing that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. If your experience is close to what you see listed here, please still consider applying. Brunswick is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.  Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is key to innovation and inspiration and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.  If you require accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact hrsharedservices@brunswick.com  for support.  Brunswick and Workday Privacy Policies Brunswick does not accept applications, inquiries or solicitations from unapproved staffing agencies or vendors. For help, please contact our support team at: hrsharedservices@brunswick.com or 866-278-6942. All job offers will come to you via the candidate portal you create when applying through a posted position through https:///www.brunswick.com/careers .  If you are ever unsure about what is being required of you during the application process or its source, please contact HR Shared Services at 866-278-6942 or HRSharedServices@brunswick.com . #Brunswick Corporation - Mercury Marine For more information about EEO laws, - click here Brunswick Corporation participates in E-Verify as part of our commitment to a lawful and transparent hiring process. For additional information click here: https://www.brunswick.com/e-verify .

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