Senior Structural Engineer – Shock & Dynamics

BAE Systems; Millom; Hybrid; GBP 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent defense contractor in the United Kingdom is seeking a Senior Structural Engineer – Shock & Dynamics to support compliance with Naval Shock requirements. This role involves managing verification evidence, conducting stress assessments, and supporting shock testing activities. A degree in Mechanical Engineering and knowledge of structural dynamics are essential. The position offers hybrid working, a competitive salary around £45,000, and a range of employee benefits, including a pension scheme and health plans.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share plans

Discounted health and lifestyle benefits

Relocation support

Qualifications

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related STEM discipline.
• Solid understanding of structural mechanics and dynamics applied to engineering.
• Knowledge of material strength behaviour influencing structural performance.

Responsibilities

• Support the development and maintenance of Naval Shock Requirements.
• Manage verification evidence for compliance with Naval Shock Requirements.
• Review shock qualification evidence from suppliers and internal teams.
• Conduct detailed stress assessments of structural components.
• Support shock testing activities and monitor outcomes.
• Produce evidence of compliance through technical reports.

Skills

Structural mechanics

Dynamics principles

Material strength behaviour

Finite Element Analysis (FEA)

Education

Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline

Job description

Job Title

Senior Structural Engineer – Shock & Dynamics

Location

Barrow-in-Furness. We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this role

Salary

Circa £45,000

What you’ll be doing

• Support the development, interpretation, and maintenance of Naval Shock Requirements, ensuring they are clearly defined and appropriately flowed down to systems, equipment, and suppliers
• Manage and maintain Verification and Validation evidence to demonstrate that systems and equipment achieve compliance with Naval Shock Requirements throughout the product lifecycle
• Review and assess shock qualification evidence provided by suppliers and internal teams, including analytical calculations, Finite Element Analysis (FEA), and physical shock test results, ensuring robustness and technical credibility
• Conduct detailed stress assessments of equipment and structural components subjected to pseudo-static shock loading, identifying risks and recommending mitigations where required
• Support the planning and execution of shock testing activities, including defining required loading conditions, monitoring test outcomes, and reviewing and approving test results
• Apply internal processes and standards rigorously, producing clear, auditable evidence of compliance through formal calculations, technical reports, and supporting documentation
• Contribute to the early identification, investigation, and timely resolution of technical issues arising at any stage of the product lifecycle, supporting continuous improvement and risk reduction

Your skills and experiences

Essential

• A degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related STEM discipline
• A solid understanding of structural mechanics and dynamics principles, with the ability to apply them to real-world engineering problems
• Knowledge of material strength behaviour, including elastic and plastic properties, and how these influence structural performance

Desirable

• Familiarity with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) tools and techniques for structural assessment and validation
• Exposure to, or an understanding of, Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) concepts
• A clear ambition to work towards professional chartership, with commitment to ongoing technical and professional development

Benefits

As well as a competitive pension scheme, BAE Systems also offers employee share plans, an extensive range of flexible discounted health, wellbeing and lifestyle benefits, including a green car scheme, private health plans and shopping discounts – you may also be eligible for an annual incentive.

The Shock Transversal team

The Shock Transversal team plays a critical role in demonstrating a vessel’s continued functionality after experiencing shock loading caused by Naval Underwater Explosion Events (UNDEX). As a Senior Structural Engineer – Shock & Dynamics, you’ll be at the heart of this mission, supporting systems throughout the project lifecycle to demonstrate compliance with demanding Naval Shock requirements. Your work will span hands‑on engineering analysis, including structural calculations, Finite Element Analysis, assessment of historical and empirical evidence, and involvement in specialist Naval Shock Testing, alongside the technical review of supplier deliverables. You’ll collaborate closely with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, providing expert shock design guidance through design reviews and supplier engagements, while benefiting from strong mentorship and development opportunities to grow your expertise in this highly specialised and impactful engineering field. We offer relocation support across all Submarine roles, subject to meeting eligibility criteria.

Why BAE Systems?

This is a place where you’ll be able to make a real difference. You’ll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity of thought, rewards integrity, and merit, and where you’ll be empowered to fulfil your potential. We welcome people from all backgrounds and want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date

23rd January 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.