Lead Structural Engineer

First Marine Solutions; Aberdeen City; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

First Marine Solutions is seeking a Lead Structural Engineer to join our growing product division in Aberdeen. You will lead structural analysis, model development and verification for our mooring product range, reporting to the Engineering Manager.

The role requires a minimum of five years in offshore structural engineering, with strong FE analysis and reporting skills, and the ability to work both independently and within a small multidisciplinary team.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of offshore structural engineering experience.
• Experience with finite element analysis software.
• Strong technical report writing and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while contributing within project teams.

Responsibilities

• Perform structural analysis and design of mooring products, mooring equipment and components.
• Develop and execute advanced finite element models using nonlinear materials and geometric analysis.
• Conduct plastic-strain assessments for ultimate strength, fatigue and life-extension studies.
• Evaluate structural performance under extreme environmental and operational loading conditions.
• Support fitness-for-service, structural integrity and defect assessments.
• Prepare design calculations, technical reports and engineering documentation.
• Participate in design reviews, hazard studies and client meetings.
• Collaborate with naval architects, geotechnical engineers, fabrication and installation engineers.

Skills

Finite element analysis

Technical report writing

Communication skills

Independent working

Team collaboration

Education

Degree in Civil/Structural/Mechanical/Offshore Engineering

Tools

ANSYS

ABAQUS

Job description

First Marine Solutions (FMS) are a service provider to the local and international renewables and oil & gas sectors specialising in the engineering, design, procurement, installation, and maintenance of mooring systems for floating platforms.

The Role

We are looking to recruit a Lead Structural Engineer with a minimum of 5 years’ experience to join our growing team. This role provides an opportunity to enter the newly established FMS product division, tasked with bringing innovative mooring product developments from initial concepts right through to product launch.

Working within a small, dynamic team and reporting directly to the Engineering Manager in the product division, the Lead Structural Engineer will be responsible for performing structural design, analysis, prototype testing and verification of our growing in-house mooring product range. The role will involve a range of structural engineering activities, including undertaking non-linear, plastic-strain finite element analysis. The Lead Structural Engineer will also support the wider company's project and engineering teams as and when structural analysis requirements arise.

Key Responsibilities

This list does not represent an exhaustive list but indicates the main responsibilities the post holder will be required to undertake:

• Perform structural analysis and design of mooring products, mooring equipment and associated components.
• Develop and execute advanced finite element models using nonlinear material and geometric analysis techniques.
• Conduct plastic-strain assessments for ultimate strength, accidental load cases, fatigue-critical details, and life-extension studies.
• Evaluate structural performance under extreme environmental and operational loading conditions.
• Support fitness-for-service assessments, structural integrity management, and defect assessments.
• Prepare design calculations, technical reports, and engineering documentation.
• Participate in design reviews, hazard studies, and client technical meetings.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including naval architects, geotechnical engineers, fabrication specialists, and installation engineers.
• Ensure compliance with applicable industry codes, standards, and client specifications.

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree in Civil, Structural, Mechanical, Offshore Engineering, or Equivalent.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in offshore structural engineering.
• Experience using industry-standard finite element analysis software.
• Strong technical report writing and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within project teams.

Preferred

• Demonstrable experience in plastic-strain analysis and assessment of offshore structures.
• Experience using ANSYS or ABAQUS.
• Understanding of nonlinear finite element analysis, including: Material plasticity modelling, Geometric nonlinearity, Large deformation behaviour & Collapse and post-yield response.
• Experience using 3D CAD software, preferably with SolidWorks or Inventor.
• Knowledge of offshore design and assessment standards, including: API RP 2A / API RP 2SIM, ISO 19902 & DNV offshore standards and recommended practices
• Experience of working in a research and/or product development environment, ideally including physical testing of prototype equipment.
• Knowledge of steel fabrication processes.