Stress Analysis Engineer

The People Pod; Derby; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The People Pod is recruiting an experienced Stress Analysis Engineer in the UK. The role focuses on structural integrity substantiation using FEA (ABAQUS) and code-based assessments for safety-critical programmes.

Senior or Principal level, with exposure to nuclear/defence contexts and national impact. You will work within a multidisciplinary team, produce formal calculations, write detailed reports, and present findings to stakeholders while ensuring quality, time and cost targets are met.

Qualifications

• Strong finite element analysis capability (ABAQUS implicit/explicit).
• Understanding of structural integrity and defect tolerance methodologies.
• Ability to produce scoping and formal calculations to recognised codes.
• Strong report writing, documentation and presentation skills.
• Organised, accountable and able to manage your own workload.
• Client-focused mindset and strong team collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Perform structural integrity substantiation using FEA and/or code-based assessment.
• Conduct scoping calculations, formal calculations and substantiation to recognised codes (ASME, R5, R6, RCC-M, BS/EN standards).
• Deliver component and assembly-level stress assessments against transient requirements.
• Identify and apply Defect Tolerance Assessment (DTA) criteria.
• Produce high-quality technical reports, analysis plans and gated review presentations.
• Managing requirements and stakeholder expectations across the S&A lifecycle.
• Peer-check calculations and ensuring all work meets quality, time and cost targets.
• Compile structured work files, source documentation.

Skills

Finite element analysis

ABAQUS

Structural integrity

Defect tolerance

Report writing

Tools

ABAQUS/CAE

CAESAR II

Job description

Stress Analysis Engineer

The Opportunity

Are you and experienced mechanical design engineer, looking for your next long-term opportunity?

We're delighted to be supporting a major engineering consultancy, delivering high‑integrity stress analysis and structural substantiation across complex, safety‑critical programmes.

Due to continued growth within Simulation & Assessment, we're looking for an experienced Senior or Principal Engineer with strong finite element analysis capability and a background in structural integrity, fracture, fatigue or defect tolerance assessments.

Here, you will be joining a powerhouse of the engineering world, working with a talented, multi-disciplinary engineering team, and the chance to collaborate on cutting‑edge, meaningful UK programmes with long‑term career potential.

Key Responsibilities

• Performing structural integrity substantiation using FEA and/or code‑based assessment
• Conducting scoping calculations, formal calculations and substantiation to recognised engineering codes (ASME, R5, R6, RCC‑M, BS/EN standards)
• Delivering component and assembly‑level stress assessments against transient requirements
• Identifying and applying appropriate Defect Tolerance Assessment (DTA) criteria
• Producing high‑quality technical reports, analysis plans and gated review presentations
• Managing requirements and stakeholder expectations across the S&A lifecycle
• Peer‑checking calculations and ensuring all work meets quality, time and cost targets
• Compiling structured work files, source

What You’ll Bring

Essential:

• Strong finite element analysis capability (ABAQUS implicit/explicit)
• Understanding of structural integrity and defect tolerance methodologies
• Ability to produce scoping and formal calculations to recognised codes
• Strong report writing, documentation and presentation skills
• Organised, accountable and able to manage your own workload
• Client‑focused mindset and strong team collaboration

Desirable:

• ABAQUS/CAE or equivalent pre/post‑processing experience
• R5/R6 fracture and creep‑fatigue assessment experience
• Python scripting within ABAQUS
CRACKEN or equivalent fracture assessment tools
• CFD or dynamic modelling exposure (LS‑Dyna, Radioss)
• Nuclear Safety Case support experience
• Structural design to Eurocodes / British Standards
• Pipe stress analysis (CAESAR II)

Why Join?

• Long‑term, high‑value defence and nuclear programmes
• Expanding team with strong investment and future progression
• Complex, meaningful engineering challenges with national impact
• Opportunity to work with leading experts in structural integrity and S&A
• Major sector investment ensuring programme longevity

Security Requirements

Due to project restrictions, applicants must be British Citizens (sole nationality) and eligible for UK Security Clearance (SC).