Lead Aircraft Structures Engineer — FEA & Composites

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary and bonuses

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Retirement savings plan

Generous PTO

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Lead Aircraft Structures Engineer to spearhead critical projects at their client’s Rustenburg facility. This leadership role covers design, analysis, and validation of aircraft structural components to meet safety, performance, and weight targets.

You will manage and mentor a team of engineers, guide design challenges, and collaborate with aero, systems, and manufacturing teams to deliver integrated aircraft designs.

Qualifications

• 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) 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.

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 software to assess stress, strain, and fatigue life.
• Develop and validate design concepts, ensuring manufacturability, maintainability, and weight efficiency.
• Manage and mentor a team of aircraft structures engineers, providing technical guidance and direction.
• Collaborate with aerodynamic, systems, and manufacturing teams for integrated designs.
• Review and approve technical documentation, including reports and specifications.
• Conduct trade studies to evaluate materials and concepts for performance and cost.
• Support prototype development, testing, and certification activities.
• Stay updated on advancements in aircraft structural design and materials.

Skills

Leadership

FEA

Stress analysis

Composite structures

Mentoring teams

Project management

CAD tools

Communication

Education

Master's or Ph.D. in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

NASTRAN

ANSYS

CATIA

SolidWorks

Job description

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Lead Aircraft Structures Engineer to spearhead critical projects at their client’s Rustenburg facility. This leadership role covers design, analysis, and validation of aircraft structural components to meet safety, performance, and weight targets.

You will manage and mentor a team of engineers, guide design challenges, and collaborate with aero, systems, and manufacturing teams to deliver integrated aircraft designs.