Applied Research Engineer - AI & Physics Simulation

Location: Quebec, Canada - Hybrid

Position Summary

We are seeking an Applied Research Engineer to lead technology scouting and technical evaluation activities in the areas of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and physics & engineering simulation, with a strong emphasis on engineering accuracy and physical fidelity.

This role focuses on identifying emerging technologies, assessing their maturity and relevance, performing targeted experiments and prototypes, and evaluating their potential impact on Bentley’s products, users, and markets.

The position sits at the intersection of research, engineering, and strategy, and requires strong analytical skills, hands-on technical capabilities, and the ability to communicate complex findings clearly to diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Conduct continuous technology monitoring and literature review in the domains of:
  • Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
  • Physics-based simulation and computational mechanics
• Identify and prioritize technologies of interest for Bentley based on technical potential, maturity, and strategic relevance.
• Perform technical investigations and proof-of-concept experiments, including:
  • Prototyping
  • Benchmarking
  • Feasibility studies
• Engage with internal stakeholders (R&D, product teams, domain experts) to:
  • Assess the potential impact of emerging technologies on Bentley products and markets
  • Identify opportunities for experimentation within Bentley’s technical and user contexts
• Critically evaluate strengths, limitations, risks, and readiness of candidate technologies.
• Produce clear, structured written reports, including:
  • Preliminary technology assessments
  • In-depth technical evaluations
  • Recommendations for further exploration or adoption
• Contribute to internal discussions and presentations on technology trends and strategic directions.

Skills

• Background in engineering or applied sciences
• Good conceptual understanding of AI models and their typical use cases
• Experience with simulation of physical processes
• Programming skills sufficient to develop lightweight proof‑of‑concepts
• Ability to identify, analyze, and synthesize emerging technologies
• Ability to communicate technical topics clearly to diverse stakeholders
• Curiosity and perseverance in exploring complex technical topics
• PhD or MSc Engineering, experience in Computational fluid dynamics
• Phd or MSc AI / Computing, some experience in numerical modeling
• B.Sc. Engineering with years of experience in CAD company in performance / reliability, numerical methods or simulation
• PhD in Computational fluid dynamics
• B.Sc., M.Sc. or Ph.D. in high performance computing, GPU, solvers