Lead Structural Engineer - Composites & Processing Equipment

Roadrunner Studios; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Perseus Materials seeks a structural engineering lead for composite structures and processing equipment. You will take concepts from napkin sketches to validated designs, running hand calculations, building FEA models, selecting materials, and defining layup schedules, while coordinating with fabricators to ensure builds match designs.

You will create and defend engineering analyses, develop test plans, and document assumptions and load cases.

Qualifications

• 2+ years experience in a commercial composites manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on experience with laminate schedules, layup, and material systems.
• Strong foundation in lamination theory, anisotropic behavior, and failure criteria.
• Proficiency with FEA software for linear, nonlinear, and buckling analyses.
• Ability to perform and defend hand calculations without over-reliance on simulation.
• Experience interpreting engineering drawings with GD&T and composite callouts.
• Familiarity with ASTM, MIL-HDBK-17 / CMH-17, DNV or similar standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead structural design and analysis of composite structures and processing equipment from concept through qualification.
• Perform first-principles hand calculations for stress, deflection, buckling, fatigue, and joint analysis.
• Develop and execute FEA models to validate designs and guide optimization.
• Define laminate schedules, fiber orientations, and material systems based on requirements.
• Collaborate with fabrication teams to ensure manufacturability and proper layup, cure, and tooling.
• Select and justify materials based on mechanical, thermal, and environmental needs.
• Develop and support structural test plans; correlate test results to predictions and close gaps.
• Maintain design documentation: assumptions, load cases, analysis reports, and drawings.

Skills

Composite structures

Hand calculations

Stress analysis

Fabrication collaboration

Analytical thinking

Education

Degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Civil, or Structural Engineering

Tools

Abaqus

Ansys

Nastran

Job description

Perseus Materials seeks a structural engineering lead for composite structures and processing equipment. You will take concepts from napkin sketches to validated designs, running hand calculations, building FEA models, selecting materials, and defining layup schedules, while coordinating with fabricators to ensure builds match designs.

You will create and defend engineering analyses, develop test plans, and document assumptions and load cases.