Aerospace Structures Mechanical Engineer — FEA & Design

Placements24; Durban; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary with bonuses

Health, dental & vision insurance

Retirement plan with company match

Generous PTO and holidays

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an Advanced Mechanical Engineer in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal to lead design and analysis of aerospace structures. The role covers components, assemblies, and flight hardware with emphasis on lightweight, high-strength materials.

The candidate will perform FEA, material selection, testing validation, and collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to meet stringent aerospace standards and certification requirements.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in aerospace mechanical design and analysis.
• Master's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• Experience with aerospace materials and their behavior under stress.
• Proficiency in CAD/FEA tools CATIA, CREO, NASTRAN and ABAQUS.
• Familiarity with AS9100 quality standards.
• Strong knowledge of fatigue, fracture mechanics and buckling.
• Analytical mindset with attention to detail and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop mechanical components and systems for aerospace applications.
• Perform advanced structural analysis, including FEA, for performance and safety.
• Conduct material selection for aerospace-grade materials based on weight and cost.
• Develop and oversee manufacturing processes for prototypes and flight hardware.
• Validate designs via static load, fatigue and vibration testing.
• Collaborate with aerospace engineers to optimize performance and integration.
• Prepare design reports, test plans and certification documentation.
• Mentor junior engineers and share knowledge within the department.

Skills

Fatigue analysis

Buckling analysis

Fracture mechanics

Structural analysis

Mathematical modeling

Effective communicator

Team collaboration

Education

Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

CATIA V5/V6

CREO

NASTRAN

ABAQUS

AS9100 knowledge

Job description

Placements24 is seeking an Advanced Mechanical Engineer in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal to lead design and analysis of aerospace structures. The role covers components, assemblies, and flight hardware with emphasis on lightweight, high-strength materials.

The candidate will perform FEA, material selection, testing validation, and collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to meet stringent aerospace standards and certification requirements.