Aircraft Structural Stress Analyst - Fatigue & Durability

Placements24; Willows (CA); On-site; USD 54,000 - 84,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Medical and retirement benefits

Professional development

Conference attendance

Job summary

Placements24 seeks an Aircraft Structural Stress Analyst specializing in fatigue and durability to join our engineering team in Welkom, Free State. You will perform in-depth analysis of aircraft structures to predict lifespan under cyclic loading and ensure airworthiness compliance.

You will use MSC Nastran, Abaqus, and ANSYS, validating models against test data and collaborating with design and test teams to enhance fatigue life. Strong scripting skills in Python or MATLAB are a plus.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering with structural mechanics specialization.
• Minimum 6 years of aircraft structural analysis focusing on fatigue and durability.
• Proficiency with FEA software (MSC Nastran, Abaqus, ANSYS).
• Strong understanding of cyclic loading and fatigue damage accumulation.
• Experience with structural testing methodologies.
• Knowledge of airworthiness regulations related to fatigue life.
• Proficient scripting in Python or MATLAB.
• Excellent analytical and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct finite element analysis (FEA) to evaluate stress, strain, and deformation under loading.
• Perform fatigue and fracture mechanics analysis to predict service life.
• Develop and validate analytical models against test data.
• Analyze test data to correlate with predictions.
• Identify critical areas and propose design modifications to improve fatigue life.
• Prepare detailed technical reports of methodologies and results.
• Collaborate with design, manufacturing, and test teams to ensure integrity.
• Ensure compliance with airworthiness standards (e.g., FAR Part 25).
• Stay updated on stress analysis techniques and software tools.
• Mentor junior analysts and grow team knowledge.

Skills

Fatigue analysis

Fracture mechanics

Durability assessment

Stress analysis

Python programming

MATLAB programming

Finite element methods

Education

Master's or Ph.D. in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

MSC Nastran

Abaqus

ANSYS

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a distinguished entity in the aerospace manufacturing sector, is seeking a highly qualified Aircraft Structural Stress Analyst specializing in fatigue and durability to join their engineering division in Welkom, Free State . This critical role involves performing in-depth analysis of aircraft structures to predict their lifespan, identify potential failure points under cyclic loading, and ensure compliance with stringent airworthiness standards. You will utilize advanced computational tools and methodologies to assess the long-term integrity of aircraft components and assemblies, contributing to the safety and reliability of aircraft operated globally. This position offers the chance to work on challenging projects within a specialized field of aerospace engineering.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct finite element analysis (FEA) to evaluate stress, strain, and deformation in aircraft structures under various loading conditions, including static and dynamic loads.
• Perform fatigue and fracture mechanics analysis to predict the service life of aircraft components and structures, considering crack initiation and propagation.
• Develop and validate analytical models against test data and experimental results.
• Analyze test data from structural testing (static, fatigue, dynamic) to correlate with analytical predictions.
• Identify critical structural areas and propose design modifications to enhance fatigue life and durability.
• Prepare detailed technical reports documenting analysis methodologies, results, assumptions, and recommendations.
• Collaborate with design engineers, manufacturing engineers, and test teams to ensure structural integrity throughout the product lifecycle.
• Ensure compliance with relevant industry standards and airworthiness requirements (e.g., FAR Part 25, CS-25).
• Stay updated on the latest advancements in stress analysis techniques, software tools, and fatigue/durability methodologies.
• Mentor junior analysts and contribute to the knowledge base of the structural analysis team.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field with a specialization in structural mechanics, stress analysis, or materials science.
• A minimum of 6 years of professional experience in aircraft structural analysis, specifically focusing on fatigue, fracture mechanics, and durability assessment.
• Proficiency in using commercial FEA software packages such as MSC Nastran, Abaqus, ANSYS, or similar tools.
• Strong understanding of structural mechanics principles, material behavior under cyclic loading, and fatigue damage accumulation theories.
• Experience with structural testing methodologies and data interpretation.
• Knowledge of airworthiness regulations pertaining to structural design and fatigue life.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and computational skills.
• Proficiency in programming languages (e.g., Python, MATLAB) for scripting and data analysis is a plus.
• Strong technical writing and communication skills, with the ability to present complex technical information effectively.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary engineering team in Welkom, Free State .

Benefits

Our client offers an attractive salary package, comprehensive medical and retirement benefits, and significant opportunities for professional development, including advanced training courses and conference attendance.

Employees are part of an innovative and respected organization with a strong commitment to engineering excellence and safety.

This role provides a challenging and rewarding career path within the specialized field of aircraft structural analysis in the heart of the Free State .