Vicente Heck

Redesigned structural component assembly for the Range Rover GT program, achieving a £5 unit cost reduction and projected £200,000 in savings. Acted as technical focal point bridging CAE, CAD, and engineering teams, and automated data extraction with Python GUI tools, reducing manual post-processing time by over 60%.

Managed and executed complex linear, non-linear, and explicit structural simulations for suspension arms and front subframe architectures. Applied topological and topographical optimization methods to balance cost efficiency with fatigue life requirements, and investigated critical failure mechanisms in joint assemblies.

Led technical benchmarking for heavy-duty suspension axles and directed structural localization of North American truck axles for South American conditions. Mitigated NVH risks on engine heatshields by correlating FEA models with physical lab data, and established standardized simulation workflows as the sole CAE authority at the Gravataí plant.

Delivered technical benchmarking reports on competitor vehicle components and supported early-stage product development with 3D modeling, mesh generation, and fatigue life predictions using Altair HyperWorks.

Authored user guidelines and provided operational support for academic researchers using HPC clusters. Designed and facilitated introductory finite element analysis workshops using HyperWorks.

Completed GD&T Module I and II certification.

Completed Altair HyperWorks and SimLab Advanced Attributes certification.

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul.