Lead Stress Engineer

Orbex Space; Forres; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Orbex Space is seeking a Lead Stress Engineer to join the flight structures team in Forres, Scotland. This technical leadership position involves performing structural analysis and supporting testing for the development of Orbex Prime, a cutting-edge launch vehicle. Candidates should have a degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, experience in high-performance applications, and proficiency with FEA packages. The role offers a competitive salary, generous holidays, and relocation support.

Benefits

34 days paid holiday

NEST workplace pension

Cycle to Work scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Group Life Insurance

Relocation support

Qualifications

• Degree or higher in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering or equivalent.
• Industry experience analyzing mass-efficient structural parts.
• Experience in static testing and failure mode analysis.

Responsibilities

• Perform structural analysis using hand calculations and FEA.
• Collaborate with the design team for optimization.
• Define analysis and test plans based on requirements.

Skills

Proficiency with FEA packages

Communication skills

Team player

Ability to work under pressure

Education

Degree in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

FEMAP

Nastran

Hypermesh

Optistruct

Job description

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Orbex is looking for a Lead Stress Engineer to join our flight structures team in the development of Orbex Prime. This is a technical leadership position responsible for structural analysis, failure mode analysis, and supporting testing.

Orbex

Orbex is a leading micro-launch company with our Prime and Proxima launch vehicles being prepared to launch from Scotland. We are well positioned to be one of the first operational micro-launch companies in Europe, with over £133m of project financing secured, a number of customers signed up, a launch license application submitted, and backing from organizations including UKSA and ESA.

We are a rapidly growing company with staff located between our production and test facilities in Forres, Scotland, and Copenhagen, Denmark. Working on cutting-edge advances in rocket fuel technology, Prime’s carbon footprint is up to 96% lower than comparable vehicles. We innovate in propulsion and tank structures, have a state-of-the-art re-flight system for recovery and reuse, and advanced separation mechanisms that leave no debris on orbit.

Having developed in-house production capabilities, we 3D print complex engines, produce full-scale carbon composite fuel tanks, and have avionics and software testing labs in both Scotland and Denmark.

Based in Forres, you will be at the heart of this fast-paced, innovative company, gaining unique insights into building a new launch vehicle for a growing commercial market.

Orbex is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering a diverse workforce in the aerospace industry.

The Position

Role and Responsibilities:

• Perform, validate, and document structural analysis using hand calculations and FEA for composite and metallic components and assemblies.
• Collaborate with the design team to iterate concepts using appropriate sizing and optimization methods to enable a ‘design by analysis’ approach.
• Define analysis and test plans based on high-level requirements.
• Provide practical support to hardware development and testing as needed.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

• Degree or higher in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering or equivalent.
• Industry experience analyzing mass-efficient structural parts for high-performance applications such as space, aerospace, defense, and motorsport.
• Proficiency with industry-standard FEA packages (preferably FEMAP, Nastran, Hypermesh, Optistruct).
• Experience with CAD systems, especially geometry preparation for analysis.
• Proactive team player with excellent communication skills.
• Experience in static testing and failure mode analysis.
• Ability to work under pressure across multiple projects.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience:

• Experience analyzing composite structures for space/aerospace, including highly loaded joints.
• Knowledge of analysis methods like linear/non-linear, thermo-elastic, buckling, modal, vibration analyses relevant to aerospace.
• Experience with COPVs or composite pressure structures design/analysis.
• Familiarity with structural design workflows and industry standards (e.g., MIL-HDBK-5/17, ECSS-E-HB-32, NASA-STD-5001, GSFC-STD-7000).
• Experience in materials testing, characterization, and allowable development.

Location – Forres

• This role requires on-site presence in Scotland due to export controls and security.
• Located at the foot of the Scottish Highlands near Inverness, with access to natural beauty and outdoor activities.

Security

You must be a UK or European citizen or from a country that is a signatory to the MTCR convention. A UK BPSS check may be required.

Benefits – UK

• Salary of £48-65k depending on experience.
• 34 days paid holiday including bank and public holidays.
• NEST workplace pension.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme, including mortgage advice and health/wellbeing apps.
• Group Life Insurance, x4 annual salary.
• Relocation support including visa assistance, 1 month accommodation, and a relocation allowance.