We are expanding our engineering team and are looking for a Senior Aircraft Structural Engineer to lead and support structural analysis, structural substantiation, Finite Element Method modelling, and prototype validation activities for our unmanned cargo aircraft platform.
This role requires strong practical engineering judgement, ownership of structural work packages, and the ability to work in a fast-moving startup environment where project milestones, technical priorities, and limited resources must be managed carefully.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and perform structural analysis of aircraft structures, including static, dynamic, fatigue, and composite structural analysis.
- Develop, review, and validate finite element models for aircraft airframe structures.
- Review finite element modelling assumptions, boundary conditions, load paths, mesh quality, structural margin calculations, and key technical assumptions.
- Perform load analysis, structural checks, margin of safety calculations, and support structural sizing and optimization.
- Take ownership of defined structural work packages such as wing, fuselage, tail, landing gear attachments, internal structures, or structural interfaces.
- Support load case definition, structural validation activities, aircraft-level structural risk assessment, and failure analysis.
- Provide structural input to CAD development and support Finite Element Method, Computational Fluid Dynamics, manufacturing, and testing teams with structural requirements, interface loads, and design constraints.
- Lead design improvements to improve structural reliability, weight efficiency, manufacturability, and production feasibility.
- Support structural testing and validation of prototype components, including comparison of test results with analytical and Finite Element Method predictions.
- Prepare and review engineering documentation, calculation notes, technical reports, and structural substantiation documents.
- Mentor junior and mid-level engineers by reviewing calculations, finite element models, documentation, and technical assumptions.
- Support structural development in alignment with applicable airworthiness requirements such as CS-23 or equivalent standards.
Required Qualifications
- PhD or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aircraft Structures, Composite Structures, or a related field.
- Good English communication skills and ability to coordinate clearly with multidisciplinary engineering teams.
- 5+ years of experience in aircraft structural analysis, airframe structures, unmanned aerial vehicles, unmanned aircraft, or lightweight/composite aircraft structures.
- Strong understanding of aircraft structures, structural load paths, composite materials, manufacturability, structural sizing, and airframe design principles.
- Experience using finite element methods for structural analysis, load assessment, margin of safety calculations, structural validation, or prototype testing support.
- Ability to work independently in a fast-paced engineering environment, take ownership of structural tasks, and support technical decision-making.
- Ability to mentor junior engineers and coordinate with CAD engineers, Computational Fluid Dynamics engineers, manufacturing teams, and testing teams.
- Familiarity with airworthiness and aircraft structural certification requirements, such as CS-23 or equivalent standards, is preferred.
Engineering Tools
- CAD: Siemens NX / CATIA V5 / SolidWorks
- CAE: Simcenter 3D / Abaqus / MSC Nastran
- MATLAB
What We Offer
- Competitive salary.
- Opportunity to work on the development of a new aircraft platform.
- A mission-driven engineering environment focused on impactful aerospace technology.
- Opportunity to take responsibility in a fast-growing aerospace startup.
- Exposure to aircraft design, structural analysis, prototype development, testing, and validation activities.
Job Type: Full-time
Work Location: In person
