Principal Cabin Stress Engineer

PDS Defense, Inc.; Mobile (AL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

PDS Defense, Inc. seeks a Principal Cabin Stress Engineer in Mobile, AL to drive structural analyses for cabin development and certification. You will lead complex stress analyses using hand methods and FEM tools, ensuring high strength-to-weight and occupant safety.

The role requires 13+ years in cabin/cargo or system installation design, with expertise in Nastran, LS-DYNA, Abaqus, Radioss, and HyperWorks; strong collaboration across design teams and suppliers is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering with emphasis on structural design.
• Minimum thirteen (13) years total experience in design with cabin and cargo and/or system installation projects.
• Strong capability with Finite Modeling of Structures using both Implicit and Explicit Linear and Non-Linear techniques (Nastran, LS-Dyna, Abaqus, Radioss, Altair Hyperworks etc)
• Position requires in-depth knowledge of technical principles of design, theories, and concepts.
• Applied knowledge of design documentation, techniques and procedures.
• Experience in using Google Suite is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Autonomously perform complex detailed stress analysis of cabin or cargo components, by classical hand analysis as well as Finite Element methods, to support the structural design efforts of new and modified components from the conceptual phase to development and certification.
• Perform review of supplier stress substantiation reports to ensure compliance to aircraft design requirements and sign-off data.
• Coordinate with design engineers, suppliers and technical leads to assure that the design meets the project deliverables timeline with an optimum design solution.
• Sets broad objectives with timelines and establishes the tasks required and how they should be completed.
• Mentor less experienced structural analysts and provide leadership and guidance of a highly complex range of problems.
• Demonstrates a high level of listening and speaking capabilities with all levels of management, internal and external.

Skills

Stress analysis

Leadership

Communication

Education

B.S. in Engineering (Aero/Civil/Mechanical/Electrical)

Tools

Nastran

LS-DYNA

Abaqus

Radioss

HyperWorks

Google Suite

Job description

Engineering

Principal Cabin Stress Engineer

Mobile, AL Posted: 8/31/2026

Job Description

Job ID#: 225253

Job Category: Engineering

Position Type: Associate - W2

Shift: 1

PDS Defense, Inc. is seeking a Principal Cabin Stress Engineer, in Mobile, AL.

Job Description:

As a Principal Engineer - Cabin Stress, you will support aircraft cabin development and certification as a stress analyst. Duties include performing static and dynamic analyses for metallic and composite structures to ensure compliance with regulatory and company standards, including dynamic seat certification, using classical hand calculations and computational techniques. The role ensures high strength-to-weight ratios while prioritizing structural integrity and occupant safety.

Your challenges:

• Autonomously perform complex detailed stress analysis of cabin or cargo components, by classical hand analysis as well as Finite Element methods, to support the structural design efforts of new and modified components from the conceptual phase to development and certification.
• Perform review of supplier stress substantiation reports to ensure compliance to aircraft design requirements and sign-off data.
• Coordinate with design engineers, suppliers and technical leads to assure that the design meets the project deliverables timeline with an optimum design solution.
• Sets broad objectives with timelines and establishes the tasks required and how they should be completed.
• Mentor less experienced structural analysts and provide leadership and guidance of a highly complex range of problems.
• Demonstrates a high level of listening and speaking capabilities with all levels of management, internal and external.

Your boarding pass:

• Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree in Engineering (Aero, Civil, Mechanical, Electrical) with a strong curriculum emphasis on structural and/or systems design and installation.
• Minimum thirteen (13) years total experience in design with cabin and cargo and/or system installation projects.
• Strong capability with Finite Modeling of Structures using both Implicit and Explicit Liner and Non-Linear techniques (Nastran, LS-Dyna, Abaqus, Radioss, Altair Hyperworks etc)
• Position requires in-depth knowledge of technical principles of design, theories, and concepts.
• Applied knowledge of design documentation, techniques and procedures.
• Experience in using Google Suite is an asset.

Physical Requirements:

• Vision: able to see and read computer screens and other electronic equipment with screens, able to read documents, reports and engineering drawings.
• Hearing: able to participate in conversations in person and via teleconference or phone and to hear sounds on the production floor including safety warnings or alarms.
• Speaking: able to speak in conversations and meetings, deliver information and participate in communications.
• Equipment Operation (personal computer, telephone, copies, fax machine, and related office equipment and using electronic identification card to enter building floors and internal doors): able to operate most office and personal electronic equipment and some tools including production tools such as hydraulic lifts.
• Carrying: able to carry documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 30lbs/14kgs.
• Lifting: able to lift documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 30lbs/14kgs.
• Pushing / Pulling: able to push and pull small office furniture and some equipment and tools.
• Sitting: able to sit for long periods of time in meetings, working on the computer.
• Squatting / Kneeling: able to squat or kneel to retrieve or replace items stored on low shelving.
• Standing: able to stand for discussions in offices or on the production floor.
• Travel: able to travel independently and at short notice.
• Walking (include routine walking such as to a shared printer to retrieve documents): able to walk through office and production areas including uneven surfaces.
• Personal Protective Equipment required: Required PPE includes, but is not limited to, Safety Shoes, Safety Glasses, Hearing Protection, Respirators/Masks, and/or Protective Gloves as required by site and/or customer site

Benefits offered to vary by the contract. Depending on your temporary assignment, benefits may include direct deposit, free career counseling services, 401(k), select paid holidays, short-term disability insurance, skills training, employee referral bonus, affordable medical coverage plan, and DailyPay (in some locations). For a full description of benefits available to you, be sure to talk with your recruiter.

Job Requirements

Minimum Security Clearance: No Clearance

Military connected talent encouraged to apply.

VEVRAA Federal Contractor / Request Priority Protected Veteran Referrals / Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled

To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please visit http://www.tadpgs.com/candidate-privacy/ or https://pdsdefense.com/candidate-privacy/

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
• San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

VEVRAA Federal Contractor / Request Priority Protected Veteran Referrals / Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled