Aircraft Structures Stress Engineer

Qualdoc; Newport News (VA); On-site; USD 76,000 - 103,000; Part time

Job summary

Qualdoc seeks an Aircraft Structures Stress Engineer to support modification, repair, integration, and certification projects. You will evaluate structural integrity and produce substantiation for aircraft structures and mechanical systems, coordinating with design, certification, and production teams.

The role focuses on static strength, fatigue, damage tolerance, vibration, and airworthiness compliance, with hands-on work in an office and hangar environment.

Qualifications

• Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering from an accredited college or university.
• Experience with structural analysis and substantiation for aircraft or aerospace systems.
• Knowledge of structural mechanics, fatigue, damage tolerance, vibration, and FEA methods.

Responsibilities

• Perform structural evaluations for modifications, repairs, installations, and certifications.
• Develop load paths, diagrams, models, and supporting calculations.
• Prepare stress reports, margin of safety calculations, and substantiation packages.
• Review designs for structural integrity, manufacturability, and airworthiness.
• Support certification documents, test plans, and regulatory submissions.
• Collaborate with design, certification, production, and quality teams.

Skills

Structural analysis

Fatigue analysis

Vibration analysis

FEA

Stress reports

Mathematical modeling

Analytical thinking

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

ANSYS

FEMAP

NASTRAN

Abaqus

Mathcad

Job description

Aircraft Structures Stress Engineer

Location: Newport News, VA
Job Type: Contract-to-Hire
Starting Pay: $55/hour; higher pay may be available depending on experience

Position Overview

We are seeking an Aircraft Structures Stress Engineer to support aircraft modification, repair, integration, and certification projects. This position focuses on evaluating structural integrity and producing engineering substantiation for aircraft structures and mechanical systems.

The engineer will work with design, electrical, certification, production, quality, and other engineering teams to ensure modifications are structurally sound, manufacturable, maintainable, and compliant with applicable airworthiness requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform structural evaluations for aircraft modifications, repairs, installations, and certification activities.
• Analyze static strength, fatigue, damage tolerance, vibration, thermal effects, and other structural conditions as required.
• Develop load paths, free-body diagrams, analytical models, assumptions, and supporting calculations.
• Prepare stress reports, engineering analyses, margin of safety calculations, compliance documentation, and substantiation packages.
• Review drawings, designs, and proposed modifications for structural integrity, manufacturability, maintainability, safety, and compliance.
• Support certification documentation, test plans, regulatory submissions, and customer approval activities.
• Work with Mechanical, Electrical, Design, Certification, Production, and Quality teams to identify and resolve structural issues.
• Provide engineering support during fabrication, assembly, installation, troubleshooting, ground testing, and flight-test activities.
• Participate in design reviews and provide recommendations related to structural performance, reliability, safety, and airworthiness.
• Maintain engineering documentation under configuration control and follow applicable company quality and engineering procedures.
• Contribute to improved analysis methods, engineering standards, and lessons learned.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Engineering Manager.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline from an accredited college or university.
• Experience performing structural analysis and engineering substantiation for aircraft, aerospace products, or mechanical systems.
• Knowledge of structural mechanics, materials, fatigue, damage tolerance, vibration, FEA, classical hand calculations, and engineering evaluation methods.
• Experience creating engineering analyses, stress reports, margin of safety calculations, and compliance documentation.
• Familiarity with aerospace materials, manufacturing processes, fastener systems, composite structures, and aircraft structural repair practices.
• Experience with engineering analysis tools such as ANSYS, FEMAP, NASTRAN, Abaqus, Mathcad, or equivalent software.
• Strong analytical, organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to work in both an office and aircraft hangar environment.
• U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Resident status required.
• Familiarity with configuration management, engineering release procedures, and aerospace quality systems such as AS9100.
• Experience working with customers, DERs, FAA representatives, OEMs, suppliers, or certification authorities.

Preferred Experience

• 5+ years supporting aircraft modification, repair, integration, or aerospace product development programs.
• Experience with FAA certification, STC programs, military airworthiness, or other regulated aerospace projects.
• Knowledge of MIL-HDBK-516C and military aircraft modification programs.
• Experience with static strength, fatigue, damage tolerance, vibration, thermal, or FEA analysis.
• Experience preparing certification packages, engineering reports, compliance documentation, test plans, and substantiation materials.
• Background supporting aircraft production, modification, installation, ground testing, or flight testing.