Remote Senior Aerospace Structural Engineer

Placements24; Durban; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private health insurance

Retirement savings plan

Home office setup allowance

Continuous learning stipend

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Aerospace Structural Engineer to join a global team on advanced aircraft structures, with full remote flexibility. You will perform FEA-driven analysis, design structural components, and drive fatigue and damage tolerance assessments while validating models against test data.

The role demands a Master’s/PhD in structures, 7+ years of aerospace experience, proficiency in MSC NASTRAN/ANSYS, and strong communication skills for effective remote collaboration.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering with structures specialization.
• Minimum 7 years in aerospace structural design and analysis.
• Proficiency in NASTRAN, Patran, CATIA Analysis, and ANSYS.
• Strong knowledge of composites, metallic structures and failure mechanisms.
• Familiarity with CFR Title 14 and MIL-STD standards.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage remote timelines.
• CAD experience is a plus.
• Eligible to work in South Africa; willing to join occasional virtual meetings outside hours.

Responsibilities

• Perform advanced structural analysis using FEA to assess stress, strain, vibration and buckling.
• Design and optimise aircraft structural components and assemblies for strength and durability.
• Conduct fatigue, fracture and damage tolerance analyses to predict life and safety.
• Select and evaluate aerospace materials considering performance, weight and cost.
• Develop and validate analytical models with test data.
• Create technical reports and design documentation for reviews.
• Collaborate with global teams across time zones remotely.
• Contribute to development of new design methodologies and tools.
• Mentor junior engineers within the remote team.
• Stay updated on advancements in aerospace structures and analysis techniques.

Skills

Problem-solving

Analytical thinking

Independent work

Remote collaboration

Communication skills

Education

Master's or PhD in Aerospace Engineering (structures)

Tools

MSC NASTRAN

Patran

CATIA Analysis

ANSYS

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a global leader in aerospace innovation, is seeking a highly accomplished Senior Aerospace Structural Engineer to join their pioneering team. This is a fully remote position, offering the flexibility to work from anywhere, with a focus on contributing to the design and analysis of advanced aircraft structures. You will be an integral part of a forward-thinking company, responsible for ensuring the structural integrity, safety, and performance of next‑generation aerospace vehicles. This role requires deep expertise in structural analysis, materials science, and fatigue/fracture mechanics. The ideal candidate will thrive in a remote, collaborative environment, leveraging cutting‑edge tools and methodologies to solve complex engineering challenges. We are looking for individuals who are passionate about pushing the boundaries of aerospace engineering and are committed to delivering exceptional results from their remote workspace. This position is critical to the ongoing development of innovative aerospace projects, requiring a high degree of autonomy and technical proficiency.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform advanced structural analysis using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software (e.g., NASTRAN, ANSYS) to assess stress, strain, vibration, and buckling.
• Design and optimize aircraft structural components and assemblies, ensuring they meet strength, stiffness, and durability requirements.
• Conduct fatigue, fracture, and damage tolerance analyses to predict component life and ensure structural safety.
• Select and evaluate aerospace materials (composites, alloys) for structural applications, considering performance, weight, and cost.
• Develop and validate analytical models, ensuring correlation with test data and experimental results.
• Generate detailed technical reports, design documentation, and presentations for internal reviews and client meetings.
• Collaborate virtually with design teams, manufacturing engineers, and certification authorities across different time zones.
• Contribute to the development of new design methodologies, tools, and processes to enhance structural engineering capabilities.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers within the remote team.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in aerospace structures and analysis techniques.

Requirements

• A Master's or Ph.D. degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline with a specialization in structures.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in aerospace structural design and analysis.
• Proficiency in industry‑standard FEA software (e.g., MSC NASTRAN, Patran, CATIA Analysis, ANSYS).
• Strong understanding of composite materials, metallic structures, and failure mechanisms.
• Experience with aerospace industry standards and regulations (e.g., CFR Title 14, MIL‑STD).
• Excellent problem‑solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills for effective remote collaboration.
• Proven ability to work independently and manage project timelines effectively in a remote setting.
• Experience with CAD software is a plus.
• Must be legally eligible to work in **South Africa** and willing to attend occasional virtual meetings outside of standard working hours.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive remote salary package, a flexible work schedule, and the opportunity to work on groundbreaking aerospace projects without the need for daily office commute. Benefits include comprehensive private health insurance, a retirement savings plan, and allowances for home office setup and continuous learning. This fully remote role provides significant autonomy and professional growth opportunities, allowing you to shape the future of aerospace structures from the comfort of your chosen location.