What Advanced Engineering Solutions does

Advanced Engineering Solutions (AES) is a privately held, small engineering services firm headquartered in Castle Rock, Colorado, founded circa 1990 by Dr. Andreas Vlahinos. The company delivers R&D and Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) services spanning conceptual design optimization, structural and thermal analysis, crashworthiness simulation, computational fluid dynamics, multi-physics analysis, and probabilistic/risk assessment. Its core technology stack integrates commercial CAE tools (ANSYS, Pro/Engineer/Creo, LS-DYNA, Fluent, CFX) with proprietary methodologies including Design for Six Sigma (DFSS), Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) with topology and lattice optimization, behavioral modeling using BMX, and TRIZ-based conceptual design.

AES serves enterprise and government clients across four primary verticals: automotive (Ford, Think Mobility NEV), defense (Navistar Defense, General Dynamics OTS), energy (NREL, Plug Power, SAFT Batteries), and aerospace/manufacturing (NASA AMES, Ball Corporation, Coors). Beyond consulting, AES offers 2-5 day customized training courses on Pro/Engineer, ANSYS, BMX, and heat transfer at both client sites and AES offices, and resells the WATT Mechanism Suite software through a channel partnership with Heron Technologies, offered with 30-day free trials. The firm's go-to-market relies on thought leadership via 150+ publications, keynote speaking at international conferences (COFES, NAFEMS, PTC, ANSYS), and industry recognition (R&D 100 Award, COFES Leadership Award, multiple Best Paper awards).

The team comprises CTO Dr. Andreas Vlahinos, Project Manager/CIO Sandra Armentrout, Mechanical Engineer Maiki Vlahinos, and several special projects consultants with backgrounds at PTC, General Motors, and the Department of Energy. The firm holds five granted patents (three US, one European) and multiple pending applications in thermal management and heat exchanger design. There is no disclosed institutional investment, parent company, or M&A activity.

Name

Advanced Engineering Solutions

Legal name

Advanced Engineering Solutions

Website

https://aes.nu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Advanced Engineering Solutions is a privately held Colorado engineering consultancy providing R&D and Computer-Aided Engineering services — including structural, thermal, crashworthiness, and multi-physics simulation — alongside training and CAE software resale, serving enterprise and government clients in automotive, defense, energy, and aerospace.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Computer-Aided Engineering Services

NAICS

Engineering Services (54133), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (541690)

SIC

Services-Engineering Services (8711)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial & Process Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Systems Engineering & Technical Program Management (BPAHAIAI), Instrumentation, Controls & Automation Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAM)

Keywords

• Computer-aided engineering
• Structural analysis consulting
• Crashworthiness simulation
• Multi-physics simulation
• Engineering training services

Headquarters

HQ city

Castle Rock

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Engineering Consulting Services: Provides R&D and Computer Aided Engineering services including structural analysis, thermal analysis, crashworthiness simulation, and multi-physics analysis for industry, academia, and government clients. Revenue is project-based with customized engagements.
2. Education and Training Services: Offers specialized training courses in concurrent engineering tools like Pro/Engineer, ANSYS, LS-DYNA, and behavioral modeling. Training is provided both at AES location and client sites, customized to meet specific needs.
3. CAE Software Products: Sales of CAE software products including WATT Mechanism Suite (WATT Synthesis and Roberts Animator) through partnership with Heron Technologies. Products available with 30-day trial and demo versions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Advanced Engineering Solutions (AES) is a small Colorado-based engineering services firm that delivers R&D and Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) consulting, customized professional training on industry tools such as ANSYS, Pro/Engineer, LS-DYNA, and Creo Parametric, and resale of the WATT Mechanism Suite software. Engagements span structural, thermal, crashworthiness, multi-physics, computational fluid dynamics, and design optimization work for OEMs, defense contractors, government labs, and academic clients.

Product overview

Advanced Engineering Solutions is a small engineering services firm offering a focused portfolio of three interconnected service lines: (1) R&D and Computer Aided Engineering consulting services spanning conceptual design optimization, finite element analysis, crashworthiness simulation, and computational fluid dynamics; (2) professional education and training services on commercial tools including ANSYS Workbench, Creo Parametric, and Behavioral Modeling (BMX); and (3) resale and support of the WATT Mechanism Suite by Heron Technologies, comprising WATT Mechanism Synthesis and Roberts Animator. The engineering services and training offerings are complementary, with training designed to develop customer competence in the same tools used in consulting engagements.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WATT Mechanism Suite: A software product combining synthesis, analysis and animation of linkages, consisting of WATT Synthesis and Roberts Animator software.

Products and services

• Engineering Services R&D and Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) consulting services covering conceptual design optimization, parametric solid modeling, structural analysis, thermal analysis, dynamic analysis, crashworthiness simulation, computational fluid dynamics, multi-physics analysis, and probabilistic and risk assessment, delivered to OEMs, defense contractors, government agencies, and academic clients.
• Education and Training Services Instructor-led, customized training courses delivered at AES offices or client sites covering ANSYS Workbench, Creo Parametric 8.0 introduction, BMX Behavioral Modeling applications, heat transfer simulation, Design for Six Sigma, and Design for Additive Manufacturing, with courses ranging from 2 to 5 days.
• WATT Mechanism Suite Mechanism design and analysis software suite combining synthesis, analysis, and animation of linkages, comprising WATT Synthesis and Roberts Animator, originally developed by Heron Technologies and resold by AES with 30-day free trials and demo versions for universities and engineering design departments worldwide.

Quantifiable outcome

• Achieved significant performance improvements for clients through technology transfer and collaborative engineering
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term research collaboration partner on battery thermal management, fuel cell analysis, electro-thermal modeling, and renewable energy applications. Multiple joint publications on battery design, fuel cells, and thermal management for hybrid electric vehicles.
• Ford Motor CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative projects on battery thermal management for electric vehicles, design optimization for Six-Sigma quality, and vehicle durability analysis. Multiple joint publications on fuel cell and HEV battery thermal management.
• Plug Power Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExtensive collaboration on fuel cell technology including stack modeling, durability analysis, thermal management, flow analysis of fuel cell channels, auto-thermal reformer analysis, and MEA pressure distribution studies.
• SAFT Batteries Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on thermal management of lithium ion batteries and battery design improvement for electric vehicles.
• General Dynamics OTScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMilitary vehicle development support including MV-22, CH-53, C-130 transportability analyses, load master tiedown analyses, and tactical defense truck robustness assessment.
• NASA AMEScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on thermal structural response analysis for space vehicle reentry environments, CAD modeling, and grid generation techniques in partnership with MCAT Inc.
• Heron TechnologiescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for WATT Mechanism Suite software products (WATT Synthesis and Roberts Animator). AES serves as reseller offering the software with 30-day trials and demo downloads to engineering design departments worldwide.
• Navistar DefensecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMilitary vehicle product development support including tactical truck development for Afghanistan deployment with successful transportability and readiness outcomes.
• ANSYS Inc.coreTechnology or IntegrationExtensive use of ANSYS tools for structural, thermal, multi-physics analysis, and optimization. AES provides ANSYS training and has received multiple Best Paper awards at ANSYS conferences.
• PTC (Parametric Technology Corporation)coreTechnology or IntegrationCertified Engineering Provider (CEP) for Pro/ENGINEER. Extensive training and consulting using Pro/Engineer, Pro/Mechanica, Pro/Mesh, and behavioral modeling (BMX) tools.
• Ball CorporationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuckling finite element analysis of aluminum cans (60lb, 65lb, 50lb, 55lb) for manufacturing optimization.
• Coors Brewing CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple engineering projects including plastic strength analysis of beer storage tanks, metal forming process modeling, snap-through buckling analysis, and catalytic converter assembly evaluation.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Stress Engineering Services: A mid-sized engineering services firm specializing in structural analysis, testing, and failure analysis for industrial clients. Comparable in service-line mix and engineering depth.
• Applied CAx: A US-based engineering consulting firm providing CAE, FEA, and CFD services to automotive and industrial clients. Directly comparable in service scope and customer profile.
• Predictive Engineering: A small US-based CAE consulting firm specializing in finite element analysis and structural simulation for industrial clients. Highly comparable to AES in size, service-led model, and FEA focus.
• CAE Associates: An ANSYS-focused engineering consulting firm providing simulation services, training, and software support. Closely comparable to AES in CAE service delivery and tool-centric training offerings.
• Engineering Mechanics Corporation of Columbus (Emc²): A US CAE engineering services firm specializing in structural, crash, and durability analysis for automotive and defense clients. Comparable customer profile and analysis offerings.
• Engineering Software Associates (ESA): A specialized CAE consulting and software firm focused on FEA and CFD applications. Comparable as a small, expertise-driven engineering consultancy with tool-resale components.
• EnginSoft: A European CAE consulting firm providing engineering simulation, optimization, and training across multiple industries. Comparable business model of consulting + training + tool-channel partnerships.

Broad incumbents

• Altair Engineering: A global provider of CAE software and engineering services with strong topology optimization and simulation capabilities. Comparable technology overlap (optistruct, topology opt) but vastly larger scale.
• Comet Technologies (formerly ESI Group): A global CAE software and services company specializing in manufacturing and crash simulation. Comparable on crashworthiness and multi-physics but operates at much larger scale and owns its own platform.
• Dassault Systèmes SIMULIA: The simulation arm of Dassault Systèmes offering Abaqus-based FEA and multi-physics solutions. Comparable on structural/crash simulation but as part of a much broader PLM platform.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Advanced Engineering Solutions