MSC Software
MSC Software develops CAE simulation software — including MSC Nastran for structural analysis and MSC Adams for multibody dynamics — used by aerospace and automotive OEMs such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, BMW, Toyota, and Volkswagen to validate designs before physical prototyping.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1963
- HeadquartersNewport Beach, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What MSC Software does
MSC Software is a Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) software company founded in 1963 and headquartered in Newport Beach, California. The company builds structural mechanics and virtual manufacturing simulation tools — most notably MSC Nastran (structural analysis), MSC Adams (multibody dynamics), Marc (nonlinear FEA), and Mentat (solver GUI) — supplemented by acquired capabilities in topology optimization (AMendate), drivetrain simulation (Romax), AI-driven simulation (CADLM), and fatigue analysis (CAEfatigue).
MSC Software serves mission-critical engineering workflows at aerospace and automotive OEMs including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, BMW, Toyota, and Volkswagen. Its products are used for stress, vibration, acoustics, crash, NVH, and structural analysis in safety-critical applications, where solver accuracy and validation heritage are decisive purchasing criteria.
The company generates revenue primarily through subscription software licenses for engineering simulation, sold via a direct enterprise sales motion to major OEMs. MSC was acquired by Hexagon AB in 2017, transitioned to a subscription model, and contributed approximately €265 million to Hexagon's Manufacturing division in 2024 at above-group-average profitability. In September 2025, Hexagon agreed to sell its Design & Engineering business (including MSC Software) to Cadence Design Systems for approximately €2.7 billion (70% cash, 30% stock), with the transaction closing in February 2026.
MSC Software firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MSC Software
- Legal name
- MSC Software
- Website
- https://mscsoftware.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1963
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- MSC Software develops CAE simulation software — including MSC Nastran for structural analysis and MSC Adams for multibody dynamics — used by aerospace and automotive OEMs such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, BMW, Toyota, and Volkswagen to validate designs before physical prototyping.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
MSC Software industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Engineering Simulation Software (CAE)
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (513210), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Digital Engineering & Simulation (CFD/FEA, Digital Twins, Model-Based Engineering) (IMAJAGAL)
Keywords
Where MSC Software is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Newport Beach
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
MSC Software business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- CAE Software Licenses and Subscriptions: The company transitioned to a subscription model under Hexagon ownership. Provides CAE software solutions for structural mechanics and virtual manufacturing with recurring subscription revenue.
- Engineering Simulation Software: Revenue from software licenses, subscriptions, and related services for engineering simulation applications
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels1 record
MSC Software product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MSC Software develops and licenses Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) simulation software that enables engineers to validate and optimize product and process designs using virtual prototypes. The portfolio centers on flagship solvers MSC Nastran (structural analysis for stress, vibration, and durability) and MSC Adams (multibody dynamics for mechanical system motion), augmented by nonlinear FEA (Marc), topology optimization (AMendate), drivetrain simulation (Romax), AI-driven simulation (CADLM), and fatigue analysis (CAEfatigue). The offering is delivered primarily as subscriptions to enterprise aerospace, automotive, and industrial manufacturers.
Product overview
MSC Software operates as a comprehensive CAE (Computer Aided Engineering) software portfolio providing structural mechanics and virtual manufacturing solutions. The portfolio includes flagship products MSC Nastran (structural analysis solver) and MSC Adams (multibody dynamics simulation), complemented by acquired technologies including AMendate (topology optimization), Romax (drivetrain simulation), CADLM (AI-driven simulation), and CAEfatigue (fatigue analysis). The company transitioned to a subscription model and was acquired by Hexagon in 2017, then subsequently sold to Cadence Design Systems in 2025. The products serve aerospace and automotive OEMs including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, BMW, Toyota, and Volkswagen.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- MSC Nastran: Industry-standard finite element analysis (FEA) solver for structural analysis used in aerospace and automotive sectors
- Adams
- Marc
- Mentat
Products and services
- MSC Nastran
Companies that use MSC Software
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
MSC Software technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
MSC Software partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Cadence Design SystemscoreHexagon entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Design & Engineering business (including MSC Software) to Cadence Design Systems for approximately €2.7 billion. The transaction positions MSC Software within Cadence's System Design & Analysis portfolio, combining MSC Nastran and Adams with Cadence's multiphysics and CFD technologies to create a unified simulation platform. A long-term collaboration between Hexagon and Cadence was established.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
MSC Software competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- ANSYS: ANSYS is the leading direct competitor to MSC in structural, thermal, and multiphysics CAE simulation, with overlapping flagship solvers (ANSYS Mechanical, Fluent) and the same Boeing/Lockheed/automotive OEM customer base.
- Siemens Digital Industries Software: Siemens Simcenter competes head-to-head with MSC Nastran and Adams in structural and multibody dynamics, with the additional advantage of tight NX CAD/CAE integration and a large enterprise install base in automotive and aerospace.
- Dassault Systèmes (SIMULIA): Dassault's SIMULIA Abaqus suite directly competes with MSC Nastran in nonlinear structural analysis, and benefits from integration with CATIA, targeting the same aerospace and automotive design engineers as MSC.
- Altair Engineering: Altair offers overlapping structural and multiphysics simulation (HyperWorks, OptiStruct) directly competing with MSC Nastran and Adams, and serves similar aerospace, automotive, and manufacturing customers.
- ESI Group: ESI Group focuses on virtual prototyping and manufacturing simulation, directly competing with MSC's virtual manufacturing and Simufact portfolio in sheet metal forming, crash, and welding simulations for automotive and aerospace OEMs.
Broad incumbents
- Hexagon AB: Hexagon was MSC's parent from 2017 until its September 2025 divestiture; Hexagon's broader Manufacturing Intelligence portfolio (metrology, CAD/CAM, CAE) overlaps with MSC's virtual manufacturing simulation offerings.
- Cadence Design Systems: Cadence acquired MSC Software's D&E business in February 2026 and now owns the MSC portfolio; Cadence's existing multiphysics, CFD, and EDA tools are being combined with MSC's structural solvers to create a unified simulation platform.
- Autodesk: Autodesk's Fusion 360 and Inventor Nastran-equivalent (formerly Autodesk Nastran) offer overlapping CAE functionality to the same manufacturing and product design customer base, competing as part of a much broader design suite.
Others
- Synopsys: Synopsys is adjacent through EDA and Ansys's recent acquisition interest; it represents a peer in the broader electronic/physical design tools space and a potential cross-domain simulation consolidator.
Emerging players
- BETA CAE Systems: BETA CAE (Ansa, META) is a direct competitor in CAE pre/post-processing for structural and crash analysis, with growing penetration among automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers overlapping with MSC's Adams customer base.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
MSC Software social profiles
Digital presenceMSC Software financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MSC Software leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
MSC Software subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
MSC Software funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MSC Software M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A7 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about MSC Software
What does MSC Software do?
MSC Software develops and licenses Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) simulation software that enables engineers to validate and optimize product and process designs using virtual prototypes. The portfolio centers on flagship solvers MSC Nastran (structural analysis for stress, vibration, and durability) and MSC Adams (multibody dynamics for mechanical system motion), augmented by nonlinear FEA (Marc), topology optimization (AMendate), drivetrain simulation (Romax), AI-driven simulation (CADLM), and fatigue analysis (CAEfatigue). The offering is delivered primarily as subscriptions to enterprise aerospace, automotive, and industrial manufacturers.
Is MSC Software a public or private company?
MSC Software is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently acquired.
When was MSC Software founded?
MSC Software was founded in 1963. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is MSC Software based?
MSC Software is headquartered in Newport Beach, United States, in the North America region.
How does MSC Software make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. CAE Software Licenses and Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are engineering Simulation Software.
Who are MSC Software's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are ANSYS, Siemens Digital Industries Software, Dassault Systèmes (SIMULIA), Altair Engineering and ESI Group. Broad incumbents are Hexagon AB, Cadence Design Systems and Autodesk. Synopsys is listed as an others. BETA CAE Systems is listed as an emerging player.
Does MSC Software have an API?
No public API is recorded for MSC Software.
What industry is MSC Software in?
MSC Software's product category is Engineering Simulation Software (CAE). Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAJAGAL, Digital Engineering & Simulation (CFD/FEA, Digital Twins, Model-Based Engineering). Its NAICS code is 513210 and its SIC code is 7372.