Structural Dynamics Engineer

Destinus; Zürich; On-site; CHF 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Destinus is seeking an Aeroelastic/Structural Dynamics Engineer to lead simulations across vehicle programmes, from model setup through test correlation. The role bridges analysis and test to ensure dynamic behaviour is accurately predicted, verified, and substantiated against experimental data.

You will build Global Finite Element Models (GFEM) and support vibration campaigns, correlating predictions with test data and documenting results in technical reports and design justification packages.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering.
• 3–5 years of industry experience in structural dynamics, aeroelasticity, or vibration engineering.
• Proficiency with FE packages NASTRAN (Femap or equivalent), Abaqus, or Optistruct for modal, transient, frequency response, and/or random vibration analysis.
• Demonstrated experience defining and executing vibration and dynamic test plans.
• Strong ability to correlate experimental test data against simulation predictions.
• Solid grounding in structural dynamics fundamentals: SDOF/MDOF, modal analysis, damping, and forced response.

Responsibilities

• Set up, execute, and post-process structural dynamics and aeroelastic simulations.
• Create and maintain Global Finite Element Models (GFEM) representing vehicle-level dynamic behaviour, ensuring consistency and traceability with detailed local FE models.
• Support structural dynamic qualification and verification of components, subsystems, and full vehicle assemblies.
• Define, document, and oversee execution of vibration, modal survey, and ground vibration test (GVT) campaigns.
• Correlate simulation predictions against experimental test data; interpret and communicate results clearly.
• Prepare technical reports, analysis documentation, and design justification packages.

Skills

Structural dynamics

Aeroelasticity

Vibration engineering

Test data correlation

Modal analysis

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

NASTRAN

Abaqus

Optistruct

Femap

Job description

The Destinus engineering team is seeking an Aeroelastic/Structural Dynamics Engineer to lead structural dynamic and aeroelastic simulation activities across our vehicle programmes, from model setup through test correlation.

The ideal candidate bridges analysis and test – ensuring dynamic behaviour is accurately predicted, verified, and substantiated against experimental data.

What You’ll Do

• Set up, execute, and post-process structural dynamics and aeroelastic simulations
• Create and maintain Global Finite Element Models (GFEM) representing vehicle-level dynamic behaviour, ensuring consistency and traceability with detailed local FE models
• Support structural dynamic qualification and verification of components, subsystems, and full vehicle assemblies
• Define, document, and oversee execution of vibration, modal survey, and ground vibration test (GVT) campaigns
• Correlate simulation predictions against experimental test data; interpret and communicate results clearly
• Prepare technical reports, analysis documentation, and design justification packages

What You’ll Need

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field
• 3–5 years of industry experience in structural dynamics, aeroelasticity, or vibration engineering
• Proficiency with FEA packages: NASTRAN (Femap or equivalent), Abaqus, or Optistruct – for modal, transient, frequency response, and/or random vibration analysis
• Demonstrated experience defining and executing vibration and dynamic test plans
• Strong ability to correlate experimental test data against simulation predictions
• Solid grounding in structural dynamics fundamentals: SDOF/MDOF systems, modal analysis, damping, and forced response