What Altair does

Altair Engineering, Inc., founded in 1985 and headquartered in Troy, Michigan, was a publicly traded (NASDAQ: ALTR) enterprise software company specializing in computational science, engineering simulation, high-performance computing (HPC), data analytics, and AI for industrial applications. Its flagship platform, HyperWorks, brought together pre/post-processing, structural analysis, CFD, electromagnetics, multiphysics simulation, and design optimization under a unified Altair Units licensing system, complemented by specialized solvers (Radioss for crash/impact, SimSolid for meshless CAD analysis, MotionSolve for multi-body dynamics, Inspire for generative design) and acquired technologies such as FlightStream CFD, S-FRAME for AEC, Genesis optimization, MODELiiS EDA, and the RapidMiner data science platform. The firm served enterprise customers in aerospace, automotive, AEC, semiconductor, advanced manufacturing, and data science, with named engagements including JetZero (blended-wing aircraft), Jaguar Land Rover (EV design consortium), Formula 1 teams, and approximately 500 enterprise customers on the World Programming data analytics platform.

The company generated revenue primarily through enterprise software licenses (perpetual and subscription), SaaS offerings (Altair One, Metrics Design Automation cloud-based EDA), and HPC/cloud services (HPCWorks), with pricing conducted via quote-based enterprise agreements and an Altair Units licensing system. Distribution combined direct enterprise field sales, the Advanced Partner Alliance (formerly Altair Partner Alliance), the Altair One cloud gateway (now listed on the Google Cloud Marketplace), and post-acquisition integration into the Siemens Xcelerator platform. Following the March 2025 acquisition by Siemens AG for approximately $10.6 billion, Altair now operates as part of Siemens Digital Industries Software, with its products integrated into the Simcenter, HPCWorks, and RapidMiner portfolios, and continues to ship major releases such as HyperWorks 2026 featuring AI-powered design and simulation delivering results up to 1,000x faster than traditional solvers.

Name

Altair

Legal name

Altair Engineering, Inc.

Website

https://altair.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Altair is an enterprise software company (now part of Siemens following its 2025 acquisition) providing AI-powered simulation, HPC, and data analytics tools to engineering and manufacturing customers in aerospace, automotive, AEC, and semiconductor industries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Engineering Simulation Software

NAICS

Software Publishers (513210), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (5415)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

EDA Software Platforms (Digital Implementation, Verification & Signoff) (HDAHAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

EDA Cloud/SaaS, Design Data Management & Collaboration (HDAHAFAJ), AI/ML Engineering & Model Development Services (BPAEAHAF), AI Integration & Orchestration Platforms (Connectors, Workflow, iPaaS for AI) (HDAEANAI)

Keywords

• Engineering simulation software
• High-performance computing
• Computational fluid dynamics
• Electronic design automation
• Data analytics platform

Headquarters

HQ city

Troy

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Enterprise Software Licenses (Subscription and Perpetual): Altair generated revenue through perpetual and subscription software licenses for its simulation, HPC, and data analytics platforms sold to enterprise customers. Following Siemens acquisition, the licensing model is integrated into the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio with simplified licensing approaches.
2. Software-as-a-Service (SaaS): Cloud-based offerings including Altair One platform available on Google Cloud Marketplace, providing simulation, data analytics, and HPC tools as SaaS. Metrics Design Automation acquisition adds cloud-based design verification SaaS for semiconductor EDA.
3. Enterprise Data Analytics Platform: World Programming platform serving approximately 500 enterprise customers worldwide with multi-language support (SAS, Python, R) for data analytics and digital transformation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Altair provides enterprise-grade computer-aided engineering (CAE) software for simulation, design optimization, high-performance computing (HPC), electronic design automation (EDA), and data analytics/AI. Its flagship HyperWorks platform and related products (Radioss, SimSolid, FlightStream, Inspire, MotionSolve, Compose, PhysicsAI) are used by engineers in aerospace, automotive, AEC, semiconductor, and manufacturing to run structural, fluid, electromagnetic, and multiphysics simulations, supplemented by the RapidMiner data science platform and the Altair One cloud gateway.

Product overview

Altair (now part of Siemens following $10B acquisition in March 2025) offers a comprehensive AI-powered industrial software portfolio for simulation, high-performance computing, data science, and artificial intelligence. The product architecture follows a platform-plus-modules approach centered around Altair HyperWorks (now integrated into Siemens Simcenter portfolio), which serves as the core CAE platform providing AI-powered design, multiphysics simulation, pre/post processing, and optimization capabilities. The portfolio includes specialized solvers (Radioss for crash/impact, MotionSolve for multi-body dynamics, SimSolid for meshless structural analysis), design tools (Simcenter Inspire for generative design), HPC infrastructure (HPCWorks), data analytics/ML platforms (RapidMiner), and acquired technologies (FlightStream CFD, S-FRAME structural analysis, Genesis optimization, MODELiiS EDA). Altair One serves as the unified cloud gateway providing access to all tools, while Altair Units provides the flexible licensing system. The company also develops open-source tools like OpenRadioss. Recent launches include HyperWorks 2026 with AI-powered capabilities delivering 1,000x faster simulation results, and SimSolid for electronics enabling multi-physics analysis for electronic components.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HyperWorks: AI-powered simulation and design platform integrating structural, fluid, electromagnetic, and multiphysics simulation tools
• HPCWorks
• RapidMiner
• Altair One
• Altair Units

Products and services

• Altair HyperWorks Altair's flagship comprehensive computer-aided engineering (CAE) platform offering simulation, optimization, and data analytics tools, providing AI-powered design and simulation, GPU-accelerated reduced order modeling, enterprise-scale pre-processing, and integrated multiphysics simulation. Now integrated into Siemens' Simcenter portfolio following acquisition. Used by engineers in aerospace, automotive, AEC, semiconductor, and manufacturing enterprises.
• Radioss Leading explicit finite element solver for crash, impact, and dynamic event simulation, used extensively in automotive crash safety, aerospace, and defense applications. Supports user subroutines and custom material laws. Now part of Simcenter Radioss within Siemens portfolio and available as OpenRadioss open-source variant.
• SimSolid Structural simulation software allowing full-fidelity CAD assemblies to be analyzed without geometry simplification or meshing, based on novel unpublished mathematics using external approximations theory. Now part of Simcenter SimSolid within Siemens portfolio.
• FlightStream CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) software developed by Research in Flight, widely used in aerospace, defense, marine, energy, turbomachinery, and automotive sectors. JetZero is using it for blended wing aircraft development targeting 50% fuel efficiency improvement.
• Altair One Cloud gateway platform providing access to tools, data, and computing resources while unleashing AI power. Available on Google Cloud Marketplace, enabling customers to deploy, manage, and scale simulation, data analytics, and HPC tools on cloud infrastructure.
• Altair RapidMiner Data analytics, AI, and machine learning platform enabling data preparation, machine learning model development, and deployment. Supports multi-language analytics including SAS, Python, and R, serving approximately 500 enterprise customers worldwide. Now part of RapidMiner brand within Siemens portfolio.
• Altair HPCWorks High-performance computing and cloud products providing HPC infrastructure and cluster management, enabling scalable simulation workloads across distributed computing environments. Now integrated into HPCWorks as part of Siemens Digital Industries Software.
• Altair HyperMesh Robust FEA preprocessor and postprocessor enabling comprehensive model creation and visualization. Part of the Simcenter HyperMesh product within Siemens portfolio, featuring AI-extended workflows and next-generation design optimization.
• Altair HyperStudy Interdisciplinary design research solution enabling engineers to investigate, understand, and optimize design performance in an intuitive environment. Part of the Simcenter HyperStudy product within Siemens.
• Simcenter Inspire CAE tool built specifically for designers, bringing simulation and computational physics to a CAD-like environment. Integrates geometry modeling, generative design, and manufacturing simulation for concept exploration, performance verification, and manufacturability assessment.
• Simcenter MotionSolve Multi-body dynamics simulation software enabling engineers to predict complex mechanical system dynamic behavior accurately. Supports flexible body modeling, advanced contact/friction modeling, and interdisciplinary co-simulation with controls, hydraulics, and CFD tools.
• Simcenter Compose Mathematical modeling software enabling engineers to perform various mathematical operations including linear algebra, matrix operations, statistics, differential equations, signal processing, control systems, polynomial approximation, and optimization. Supports OML, Octave, and Python.
• Simcenter PhysicsAI Geometric deep learning technology delivering physics predictions 1,000 times faster than traditional solvers. Integrates machine learning for simulation across the CAE workflow, trained from CFD simulation data to explore thousands of design variants in minutes.
• S-FRAME Software Structural analysis platform used by engineers to evaluate structures against design code requirements globally, used in the AEC sector for sustainable building design, especially timber structures. Now integrated into Simcenter portfolio.
• OmniQuest Genesis Optimization software product used notably in automotive and Formula 1 applications for advanced structural analysis and optimization.
• MODELiiS France-based supplier of electronic design automation software specializing in circuit modeling, system design, and simulation tools. Includes high-performance SPICE circuit simulator and C code behavior simulation for chips. Used in EDA, system modeling, electromagnetics, and IoT sensor modeling.
• Metrics Design Automation Cloud-based design verification SaaS for semiconductor design verification, enhancing Altair's EDA capabilities for the semiconductor industry.
• World Programming UK-based data analytics software platform supporting multiple languages including SAS, Python, and R, serving approximately 500 enterprise customers worldwide for digital transformation initiatives.
• Gen3D UK-based technology specializing in implicit geometry methods for additive manufacturing, enabling rapid generation and filtering of complex geometries used in aerospace and automotive industries.
• Cambridge Semantics Enterprise data management and analytics offering with graph-powered data fabric technology, integrating knowledge graph capabilities for enterprise data management.
• Altair Units All-in, always-on licensing system providing full access to the suite of Altair software tools. Part of the unified licensing approach within the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio.

Quantifiable outcome

• AI-powered design and simulation delivers results up to 1,000x faster than traditional solver simulations
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability10 records

Feature14 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Google CloudcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 May 2026Altair One platform is now available on Google Cloud Marketplace, providing access to simulation, data analytics, and high-performance computing tools. The integration enables customers to deploy, manage, and scale Altair One on Google Cloud's infrastructure.
• JetZeroflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025JetZero, an aerospace startup developing a blended wing aircraft targeting 50% fuel efficiency improvement and zero carbon emissions, is collaborating with Siemens/Altair using FlightStream from the HyperWorks suite to accelerate development and aerodynamic insights for the innovative aircraft design.
• Maya HTTcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 December 2025Maya HTT, a leading engineering software developer and Siemens partner, signed an agreement to add the Altair suite of products to its portfolio, enhancing its digital transformation capabilities in electromagnetic simulation, HPC, data science, and AI.
• Siemens AGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2025Siemens acquired Altair Engineering for approximately $10.6 billion in March 2025 (with earlier announcement in November 2024), integrating its simulation, HPC, data science, and AI capabilities into the Siemens Xcelerator platform. This creates the world's most complete AI-powered portfolio of industrial software for simulation and data analytics.
• Jaguar Land Rover (JLR)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2023Altair, JLR, and Danecca formed a consortium receiving UK government funding through the Faraday Battery Challenge to develop a new electric vehicle design process. The project utilizes Altair's simulation tools to create lighter, more energy-efficient vehicles, scheduled from February 2023 to January 2025.
• DaneccacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2023Danecca partnered with Altair and Jaguar Land Rover in a UK government-funded consortium to advance EV design using Altair's simulation tools for improved vehicle energy efficiency and battery integration.
• Advanced Partner Alliance (formerly Altair Partner Alliance)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2021The Altair Partner Alliance has been renamed the Advanced Partner Alliance. It provides a partner ecosystem through which various software solutions from partners such as Elysium and Power Smart Control are distributed alongside Altair's core offerings.
• UK Government (Faraday Battery Challenge)flagshipOthersThe UK government, through the Faraday Battery Challenge initiative, provided funding to the Altair-JLR-Danecca consortium for developing EV design processes using Altair's simulation tools to create lighter, more energy-efficient vehicles.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Ansys: Direct CAE/engineering simulation peer offering structural, CFD, electromagnetics, and multiphysics solvers widely used in aerospace, automotive, and electronics. Recently acquired by Synopsys, it is Altair's most direct rival across nearly every Altair product line, now consolidated under a much larger EDA+CAE owner.
• ESI Group: Virtual manufacturing and prototyping specialist with strong positions in crash, welding, casting, and composites simulation. Directly comparable to Altair in automotive structural and crash workflows and competes for many of the same OEM seats.
• Cadence Design Systems: EDA market leader alongside Synopsys, with growing presence in multiphysics simulation (through Celsius, Clarity, and Fidelity). Competes directly with Altair's MODELiiS and Metrics Design Automation in circuit simulation and semiconductor verification.
• MathWorks: MATLAB/Simulink provider for model-based design, control systems, and simulation. Widely used in aerospace, automotive, and robotics workflows that overlap Altair's simulation customer base, particularly in controls and embedded systems co-simulation.
• Hexagon AB (MSC Software): Hexagon's MSC Software unit (Nastran, Marc, Adams, Digimat) competes directly with Altair Radioss, HyperWorks, and MotionSolve in structural, crash, and multi-body dynamics simulation across aerospace, automotive, and defense.

Broad incumbents

• Synopsys: EDA market leader and now owner of Ansys following completion of the acquisition. Competes with Altair's EDA push (Metrics, MODELiiS) in chip design verification and simulation, and with Ansys in CAE—creating a significantly larger combined competitor.
• Siemens Digital Industries Software (Simcenter): Now Altair's parent, Siemens DIS historically competed head-on with Altair via Simcenter (formerly LMS, CD-adapco, Mentor Mechanical). Now merged under Xcelerator, Siemens is the anchor's acquirer and largest platform peer in structural, CFD, motion, and 1D simulation.
• Dassault Systèmes: Diversified PLM and 3DEXPERIENCE platform that includes SIMULIA for structural/CFD simulation alongside CAD and product data management. Competes with Altair across multiphysics simulation, especially in automotive and aerospace, and bundles a much broader product portfolio.

Emerging players

• PTC: PLM and CAD/CAE player (Creo, Windchill, Onshape, including the Arena and recently-divested servo dealing). Competes for engineering design budgets adjacent to Altair's simulation focus, particularly in automotive and industrial.
• COMSOL: Multiphysics simulation platform used in R&D and academic settings, with comparable breadth across electromagnetics, fluid, thermal, and structural simulations. Competes with Altair for CAE seats in research-led organizations and increasingly in industrial R&D.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• GitHubgithub.com/OpenRadioss
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/altair
• Xx.com/Altair_US
• Facebookfacebook.com/altairengineering

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors4 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A33 records

Investments6 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Altair