Structural Analysis Engineer - UAV (6-month Contract)

Defy Aerospace; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

High technical ownership

Work across the full design lifecycle

Small, sharp engineering team

Job summary

An innovative aerospace company in Milton Keynes seeks a Structural Analysis Engineer to focus on advanced UAV airframes. Responsibilities include defining load cases, conducting FEA, and supporting structural integrity assessments. The role requires a degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering and strong knowledge of aircraft structures, as well as hands-on experience with FEA tools like ANSYS and Abaqus. Ideal candidates will have exposure to UAVs and early-stage aerospace programmes, as well as an understanding of composite structures.

Qualifications

• Degree in Aerospace / Mechanical Engineering or similar.
• Strong fundamentals in aircraft structures.
• Hands‑on experience with FEA tools (ANSYS, Abaqus, NASTRAN, etc.).
• Understanding of composite structures and lightweight design.
• Comfortable working with CAD geometry and evolving designs.
• Able to think beyond tools and apply engineering judgement.

Responsibilities

• Define and analyse airframe load cases.
• Perform global and local FEA on wings and joints.
• Conduct stress, deflection, and buckling analysis.
• Carry out composite laminate and sandwich panel analysis.
• Evaluate margins of safety and reserve factors.
• Support fatigue, durability, and damage tolerance assessments (concept–preliminary level).
• Perform modal and vibration analysis to avoid resonance issues.
• Support thermal–structural effects from motors, batteries, and environment.
• Work closely with design, aero, performance, and systems teams to influence structure early.
• Support structural optimisation for weight vs strength.
• Contribute to test correlation and design iteration.
• Produce clear, review-ready analysis documentation.

Skills

Strong fundamentals in aircraft structures

Hands‑on experience with FEA tools

Understanding of composite structures

Comfortable working with CAD geometry

Able to think beyond tools

CAD geometry

Education

Degree in Aerospace / Mechanical Engineering

Tools

ANSYS

Abaqus

NASTRAN

Job description

We’re looking for a Structural Analysis Engineer to work on advanced UAV airframes, focusing on lightweight structures, composites, and full airframe structural integrity.

This role is ideal for someone who wants real ownership, works comfortably across disciplines, and enjoys early-stage aircraft development.

What you’ll work on

• Define and analyse airframe load cases (maneuvre, gust, landing, propulsion, inertial)
• Perform global and local FEA on wings, centre bodies, booms, mounts, and joints
• Conduct stress, deflection, stiffness, and buckling analysis
• Carry out composite laminate and sandwich panel analysis
• Evaluate margins of safety and reserve factors
• Support fatigue, durability, and damage tolerance assessments (concept–preliminary level)
• Perform modal and vibration analysis to avoid resonance issues
• Support thermal–structural effects from motors, batteries, and environment
• Work closely with design, aero, performance, and systems teams to influence structure early
• Support structural optimisation for weight vs strength
• Contribute to test correlation and design iteration
• Produce clear, review-ready analysis documentation

What we’re looking for

• Degree in Aerospace / Mechanical Engineering (or similar)
• Strong fundamentals in aircraft structures
• Hands‑on experience with FEA tools (ANSYS, Abaqus, NASTRAN, etc.)
• Understanding of composite structures and lightweight design
• Comfortable working with CAD geometry and evolving designs
• Able to think beyond tools and apply engineering judgement

Nice to have

• Experience with UAVs or small aircraft
• Exposure to composites manufacturing or testing
• Experience working on early‑stage aerospace programmes

Why join us

• High technical ownership
• Work across the full design lifecycle
• Small, sharp engineering team
• Real engineering problems, not siloed tasks

It is mandatory for the candidate to hold a valid UK visa for this role.

We do not provide visa sponsorship for this position.