Structural Analysis Lead

Cambridge Aerospace; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation and stock opt

Private Medical & Dental

Cycle to work scheme

Lunchtime catering on site

Job summary

Cambridge Aerospace is seeking a Structural Analysis Lead to define and govern the structural analysis approach from concept to detailed design. You will ensure sizing, load paths and integrity are understood early, using first-principles methods and hand calculations where appropriate.

Collaborating with Aerodynamics, Aircraft Architect and Cross-functional teams, you will develop stress analysis methodologies, guide GFEM modelling and address dynamic effects and CFRP structures as the program

Qualifications

• MSc in Aerospace Engineering or closely related field.
• Extensive experience in aircraft structural analysis and stress engineering.
• Strong background in hand calculations and analytical methods.
• Experience with finite element methods and CFRP/composite structures.

Responsibilities

• Lead and own structural analysis and stress engineering activities during aircraft development.
• Provide early-phase structural sizing and feasibility assessments using hand calculations and first-principles methods.
• Define and develop stress analysis methodology to be used throughout the program.
• Establish and guide the use of GFEM and other numerical modelling approaches.
• Collaborate with Aerodynamics Team and other cross-functional teams.

Skills

Hand calculations

Analytical methods

Aircraft structural sizing

Finite element methods

CFRP/composites

Aerospace engineering

Education

MSc in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Finite element software

GFEM

Job description

Overview

The Structural Analysis Lead is responsible for defining and governing the structural analysis approach of the aircraft from the earliest conceptual stages through detailed design. This role ensures that structural integrity, sizing logic, and load paths are understood and properly represented from the outset, forming a robust foundation for the aircraft’s development. In the conceptual phase, the role relies heavily on first-principles engineering and hand calculations to assess feasibility, guide sizing, and support configuration decisions. In parallel, the position defines the stress analysis methods, tools, and modelling strategies that will be used in later development phases.

Over time, the role can evolve into building and leading the Structural Analysis capability, including stress, loads, and dynamic behaviour, ensuring a consistent and high-quality engineering approach across the program.

Responsibilities

• Lead and own the structural analysis and stress engineering activities during aircraft development
• Provide early-phase structural sizing and feasibility assessments, primarily using:
  • Hand calculations
  • First-principles engineering methods
• Define and develop the stress analysis methodology to be used throughout the program
• Establish and guide the use of numerical methods, ensuring they are applied appropriately and not as a substitute for engineering judgement
• Support the definition and implementation of global finite element models (GFEM), including:
  • Overall modelling strategy
  • Load introduction and load paths
• Contribute to aircraft configuration trade-offs from a structural perspective
• Work closely with aerodynamics and flight physics to ensure consistency between loads, configuration, and structural sizing
• Support and guide analysis of advanced topics, such as:
  • Composite (CFRP) structural behaviour
  • Dynamic effects (e.g. flutter, authority reversal)

• You will be working closely with the Aerodynamics Team, Aircraft Architect, Structural Design Lead and Cross-functional engineering teams

Requirements

• MSc (or equivalent) in Aerospace Engineering or a closely related field
• Extensive experience in aircraft structural analysis and stress engineering
• Strong background in:
  • Hand calculations and analytical methods
  • Aircraft structural sizing
• Proven ability to apply engineering judgement beyond purely numerical tools
• Experience with finite element methods and relevant analysis tools
• Solid experience with CFRP/composite structures
• Experience working in aircraft development environments, ideally including early design phases

Preferred Qualifications/Experience

• Experience across a full aircraft development lifecycle, from conceptual design to certification (STANAG AEP-4671, CS-23, CS-27, SC-VTOL or equivalent)
• Experience with global FEM (GFEM) setup and structural modelling strategies
• Exposure to dynamic and aeroelastic topics, such as:
  • Flutter
  • Authority reversal
  • Structural dynamics

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation and stock options
• Private Medical & Dental
• Cycle to work scheme
• Lunchtime catering on site

About Us

The mission of Cambridge Aerospace is to eliminate the risk of existential war in Europe. That risk comes from the air: low-cost drones and cruise missiles now manufactured in colossal volumes by our adversaries, ballistic missiles capable of ending the world as we know it, and a new generation of hypersonic weapons that evade every existing defence.

We are building low-cost interceptors that defeat these threats, and the surveillance systems needed to detect and target them, at a cost taxpayers can afford, at the pace the threat demands and with sovereign supply chains that assure delivery.

We have immense backing from some of the world’s leading venture funds. We are one of the fastest-growing defence technology companies in history, and we are hiring talented people who want to develop their skills while contributing to an important mission.

If you are ambitious, eager to learn, willing to work hard and excited by the opportunity to build technology that addresses one of the defining challenges of our time, now is the time to join us.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. If you are excited about this role but do not meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply.

We are interested in your practical ability, potential and willingness to learn, not whether you have followed a traditional academic career path.