Lead Aircraft Structures Engineer - FEA & Composites Expert

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

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.