Senior Aerospace Mechanical Engineer – Structures & FEA

Zutari; Durban; On-site; ZAR 1,300,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Highly competitive salary with bonus

Premium health, dental, and vision

Generous retirement savings with match

Job summary

Zutari in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, seeks an Advanced Mechanical Engineer for aerospace structures to lead design, analysis, and validation of airframes and propulsion components. You will drive FEA studies, material selection, and manufacturing oversight for prototype and flight-qualified hardware.

With 8+ years in aerospace design/analysis, you will collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams, prepare documentation, and mentor junior engineers while contributing to innovative aerospace projects and

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering.
• 8+ years of experience in mechanical design and analysis in aerospace.
• Knowledge of aerospace materials (composites, titanium, aluminum) and their behavior under stress.
• Proficiency in CATIA V5/V6 and CREO; FEA tools like NASTRAN and ABAQUS.
• Experience with AS9100 aerospace manufacturing standards.
• Strong understanding of fatigue, fracture mechanics, and buckling analysis.
• Excellent communication and teamwork across diverse groups.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop mechanical components and systems for aerospace applications (airframes, propulsion, control surfaces).
• Perform advanced structural analysis (FEA) to assess component integrity under extreme conditions.
• Select materials based on strength, weight, thermal properties, and cost considerations.
• Oversee manufacturing process for prototypes and flight-qualified hardware with production teams.
• Validate designs through testing (static load, fatigue, vibration).
• Collaborate with aerodynamicists, materials scientists, and systems engineers for optimal performance.
• Prepare design reports, test plans, and certification packages.
• Mentor junior engineers and share knowledge within the department.

Skills

CAD proficiency

FEA experience

Materials knowledge

Analytical/problem solving

Communication skills

Education

Master's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

CATIA V5/V6

CREO

NASTRAN

ABAQUS

AS9100

Job description

Zutari in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, seeks an Advanced Mechanical Engineer for aerospace structures to lead design, analysis, and validation of airframes and propulsion components. You will drive FEA studies, material selection, and manufacturing oversight for prototype and flight-qualified hardware.

With 8+ years in aerospace design/analysis, you will collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams, prepare documentation, and mentor junior engineers while contributing to innovative aerospace projects and