Aerospace Structural Engineer

Akkodis; California (MO); On-site; USD 165,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

401K plan

Paid leave

Job summary

Akkodis is seeking experienced Structural Engineers to join an aerospace team developing next-generation aircraft platforms. You will lead structural design, analysis, and validation of air vehicle structures from concept to prototype, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to balance performance, manufacturability, cost, and schedule.

This role emphasizes FEA, composite and metallic airframes, and hands-on support during prototype build and testing, with growth opportunities in a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years in structural, stress, or airframe analysis within aerospace.
• Experience analyzing both metallic and composite aircraft structures.
• Proficiency with FEA tools such as NASTRAN, ANSYS, FEMAP or equivalents.
• Experience performing stress, fatigue, buckling, loads, and damage tolerance analyses.
• Background in prototype-driven or rapid development environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead structural analysis activities for aircraft components and assemblies (composites and metals).
• Develop and mature structural designs from concepts through detailed engineering and prototype manufacturing.
• Perform finite element modeling and advanced structural assessments at multiple levels.
• Evaluate structural integrity through strength, fatigue, buckling, load transfer, and damage tolerance analyses.
• Use fundamentals and simulation tools to support design decisions and validate performance.
• Conduct trade studies to optimize weight, durability, manufacturability, cost, and system effectiveness.
• Collaborate with design, manufacturing, systems, aerodynamics, and test teams to resolve challenges.
• Incorporate design-for-manufacturing to improve production efficiency for scalable development.
• Provide hands-on engineering support during prototype fabrication, assembly, and testing.

Skills

Finite element analysis

Structural analysis

Composite / metallic structures

Prototype development support

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering

Tools

NASTRAN

ANSYS

FEMAP

Job description

Akkodis is looking for experienced Structural Engineers to join an innovative aerospace engineering team developing next-generation aircraft platforms. This role is focused on the structural design, analysis, and validation of advanced air vehicle systems, supporting programs from early concept development through prototype build and integration. You will work alongside multidisciplinary engineering teams to solve complex technical challenges while balancing performance, manufacturability, cost, and schedule objectives.

This position offers the chance to play a key role in the development of cutting-edge aerospace technology, working on advanced aircraft programs from concept through prototype realization. You will contribute directly to structural performance, airframe innovation, and next-generation flight solutions while collaborating with a highly skilled engineering team in a dynamic development environment.

Rate Range: $120.00/hour-160.00/hour; The rate may be negotiable based on experience, education, geographic location, and other factors.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead structural analysis activities for aircraft components and assemblies, including both composite and metallic airframe structures.
• Develop and mature structural designs from initial concepts through detailed engineering and prototype manufacturing.
• Perform finite element modeling and advanced structural assessments at the component, subsystem, and full-aircraft levels.
• Evaluate structural integrity through analyses involving strength, stiffness, fatigue, buckling, load transfer, damage tolerance, and related failure modes.
• Use engineering fundamentals, analytical methods, and simulation tools to support design decisions and validate structural performance.
• Conduct trade studies to optimize weight, durability, manufacturing feasibility, cost, and overall system effectiveness.
• Partner closely with design, manufacturing, systems, aerodynamics, integration, and project engineering teams to resolve technical challenges.
• Incorporate design-for-manufacturing principles to improve production efficiency and support scalable aircraft development.
• Provide hands‑on engineering support during prototype fabrication, assembly, integration, and testing activities.
• Contribute in a fast‑paced development environment where innovative problem‑solving and execution are critical to program success.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in structural, stress, or airframe analysis within the aerospace industry.
• Demonstrated experience analyzing both metallic and composite aircraft structures.
• Strong proficiency with finite element analysis (FEA) tools such as NASTRAN, ANSYS, FEMAP, or comparable platforms.
• Experience performing structural evaluations involving stress, fatigue, buckling, loads, and damage tolerance.
• Ability to perform engineering calculations and apply core structural mechanics principles to complex design challenges.
• Background supporting aircraft, UAV/UAS, eVTOL, defense, or other advanced aerospace development programs.
• Experience working within prototype-driven, rapid development, or clean-sheet aircraft environments.
• Understanding of composite materials, manufacturing processes, and structural design considerations.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively across engineering, manufacturing, integration, and test organizations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting the development of new aircraft configurations from the ground up.
• Working knowledge of Siemens NX.
• Advanced proficiency with FEMAP.
• Prior involvement in the design, analysis, or manufacturing of uncrewed aircraft systems.
• Familiarity with high-temperature materials and material selection processes.
• Experience across multiple aircraft platforms or aerospace programs.
• Hands‑on exposure to aircraft manufacturing, assembly, or production operations.
• Practical aviation experience, such as a pilot certificate, A&P certification, or similar technical aircraft background.

For other opportunities available at Akkodis go to www.akkodis.com.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

Benefit offerings available for our associates include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, additional voluntary benefits, an EAP program, commuter benefits, and a 401K plan. Our benefit offerings provide employees with the flexibility to choose the type of coverage that meets their individual needs. In addition, our associates may be eligible for paid leave including Paid Sick Leave or any other paid leave required by Federal, State, or local law, as well as Holiday pay where applicable.

To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please visit https://www.akkodis.com/en/privacy-policy.

The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

The California Fair Chance Act

Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance

Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers