Lead Aircraft Structures Engineer

Placements24; Randfontein; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Performance bonuses

Executive benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement plan with company matching

Significant paid time off

Professional development and globalcon

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Lead Aircraft Structures Engineer to head design, analysis, and validation of structural components for aircraft at their Rustenburg facility. You will guide a team through complex design challenges, ensuring safety, performance and weight efficiency.

The role requires a strong background in FEA (NASTRAN/ANSYS), CAD (CATIA/SolidWorks), and materials science, with leadership experience and familiarity with FAR Part 25.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or closely related field.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in aircraft structures design and analysis, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
• Extensive experience with FEA software (NASTRAN, ANSYS) and CAD tools (CATIA, SolidWorks).
• Deep knowledge of aerospace materials (metals, composites) and their applications in aircraft structures.
• Proven experience in static/dynamic stress, fatigue, fracture mechanics, and buckling analysis.
• Familiarity with aerospace certification processes (e.g., FAR Part 25).
• Strong leadership, project management, and team collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the structural design and analysis of aircraft components and assemblies, ensuring compliance with aerospace standards.
• Oversee and perform complex structural analysis using FEA to assess stress, strain, and fatigue life.
• Develop and validate design concepts for manufacturability, maintainability, and weight optimization.
• Manage and mentor a team of aircraft structures engineers, providing direction and feedback.
• Collaborate with aerodynamic, systems, and manufacturing teams to optimize designs.
• Review and approve design reports, stress analyses, and specifications.
• Conduct trade studies to evaluate materials and structural concepts for cost-effectiveness.
• Support prototype development, testing, and certification activities related to aircraft structures.
• Stay updated on advancements in aircraft structural design, materials, and manufacturing technologies.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Mentorship

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Masters/PhD in Aerospace or Mechanical Eng

Tools

NASTRAN

ANSYS

CATIA

SolidWorks

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an experienced and visionary Lead Aircraft Structures Engineer to spearhead critical projects at their state-of-the-art facility in Rustenburg, North West. This leadership role is responsible for the design, analysis, and validation of aircraft structural components and systems, ensuring they meet the highest standards of safety, performance, and efficiency. You will manage a team of talented engineers, guide them through complex design challenges, and collaborate with other departments to bring innovative aircraft designs to fruition. This position requires a profound understanding of material science, stress analysis, finite element analysis (FEA), and composite structures. The ideal candidate is a proactive leader with a passion for aviation engineering and a proven ability to deliver under demanding project timelines within the North West region.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the structural design and analysis of aircraft components and assemblies, ensuring compliance with all relevant aerospace standards and regulations.
• Oversee and perform complex structural analysis using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software to assess stress, strain, and fatigue life.
• Develop and validate design concepts, ensuring manufacturability, maintainability, and optimal weight efficiency.
• Manage and mentor a team of aircraft structures engineers, providing technical guidance, performance feedback, and project direction.
• Collaborate with aerodynamic, systems, and manufacturing engineering teams to ensure integrated and optimized aircraft designs.
• Review and approve technical documentation, including design reports, stress analysis reports, and specifications.
• Conduct trade studies to evaluate alternative materials and structural concepts for improved performance and cost-effectiveness.
• Support prototype development, testing, and certification activities related to aircraft structures.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in aircraft structural design, materials, and manufacturing technologies.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in aircraft structures design and analysis, with at least 3 years in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Extensive experience with FEA software (e.g., NASTRAN, ANSYS) and CAD tools (e.g., CATIA, SolidWorks).
• Deep knowledge of aerospace materials (metals, composites), their properties, and applications in aircraft structures.
• Proven experience in static and dynamic stress analysis, fatigue, fracture mechanics, and buckling analysis.
• Familiarity with aerospace certification processes (e.g., FAR Part 25).
• Strong leadership, project management, and team collaboration skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex technical information effectively.
• Experience with composite structures design and manufacturing processes is highly desirable.

Benefits

Our client offers an exceptional compensation package, including a highly competitive base salary, performance bonuses, and comprehensive executive benefits. This includes top-tier medical, dental, and vision insurance, a generous retirement savings plan with company matching, and significant paid time off. Opportunities for continuous professional development, attendance at international conferences, and career advancement within a globally recognized aviation firm are readily available.

The role is based in Rustenburg and offers a challenging yet rewarding career path.