Lead Structural Engineer

Lockheed Martin; Ampthill; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site role

Job summary

Lockheed Martin in Ampthill, UK, is seeking a Lead Structural Engineer for a 12-month contract based on-site. You will lead structural analysis across metallic, composite, and hybrid structures, delivering high-fidelity FE models and comprehensive strength assessments for design reviews, manufacturing instructions, and external audits.

The role requires a BEng (Hons) in Mechanical/Aerospace with 5+ years in industrial structural analysis, proficiency in MSC Nastran and pre-processors, and

Qualifications

• BEng (Hons) in Mechanical/Aerospace or equivalent.
• Minimum 5 years of industrial structural-analysis experience on metallic and composite parts.
• Proficient in MSC Nastran and pre-processors (Patran, Apex, Simcenter, or ANSA).
• Experience in static, dynamic, linear and non-linear analyses.
• Skilled in stress calculations and fatigue life prediction.

Responsibilities

• Develop high-fidelity finite-element models for metallic, composite and hybrid structures.
• Execute static, dynamic, vibrational, thermal and FSI analyses.
• Perform damage-tolerance and fatigue assessments.
• Author concise strength-summary reports and risk assessments to MoD and customer standards.
• Translate analysis outcomes into manufacturing instructions and inspection plans.
• Lead knowledge-transfer workshops and maintain model libraries.
• Champion process improvements through new software and automation scripts.
• Represent the Company at design reviews, client briefings and audits.

Skills

Finite element analysis

MSC Nastran

Python scripting

Fatigue life prediction

Education

BEng (Hons) Mechanical/Aerospace

Tools

Patran

Apex

Simcenter

ANSA

Job description

About The Role

We are urgently seeking to recruit a Lead Structural Engineer, initially on a 12 month contract basis to be based predominantly on-site at our Ampthill, Bedfordshire offices. The Structural Integrity Engineer (SIE) is a senior technical specialist who analyses, develops, and validates the mechanical integrity of complex structural systems across light‑weight and heavy‑weight platforms. The role encompasses metallic, non‑metallic, and composite materials, covering design, production, testing, and maintenance phases. Core responsibilities include damage‑tolerance, durability, and structural modelling across dynamics, loads, stability, stress fatigue and thermal analyses. The duty cycle uses a broad array of engineering tools, notably MSCNastran, MSCMarc, SiemensSimcenter, BetaCAE, ANSA, and PTCCreo.

Responsibilities

The Structural Integrity Engineer will be a Subject Matter Expert in structural analysis and integrity decision‑making, operating within the Structural Integrity Group, a sub‑function of the Engineering Department. Core responsibilities include:

• Developing and validating high‑fidelity finite‑element models for metallic, composite and hybrid structures.
• Executing static, dynamic, vibrational, thermal and fluid‑structure interaction analyses.
• Performing damage‑tolerance and fatigue assessments.
• Authoring concise strength‑summary reports and risk assessments that satisfy MoD and customer standards.
• Translating analysis outcomes into manufacturing instructions and inspection plans.
• Leading knowledge‑transfer workshops and maintaining model libraries.
• Championing process improvement through new software, material databases and automation scripts.
• Representing the Company at design reviews, client briefings and external audits.

Required Skills, Qualifications & Experience

• BEng (Hons) in Mechanical/Aerospace or equivalent.
• Minimum 5years of industrial structural‑analysis experience on metallic and composite parts.
• Proficient in MSCNastran and pre‑processors such as Patran, Apex, Simcenter, or ANSA.
• Experienced in static, dynamic, linear and non‑linear analyses.
• Skilled in hand‑based stress calculations and fatigue life prediction.
• Extensive experience modelling aluminium, titanium, steel and high‑strength alloys for both light‑and heavy‑weight systems.
• Basic knowledge of composite lay‑up, ply‑by‑ply modelling and defect effects.
• Capable of drafting clear, concise strength‑summary reports and risk assessments.
• Comfortable working collaboratively with design, manufacturing, testing and quality teams.
• Skilled in scripting (Python, batch) and use of high‑performance computing to streamline analyses.
• Candidates must be able to undergo the process to achieve a Secret Clearance and be willing to go through the process to achieve a Developed Vetting Clearance.