Senior Aerospace Structures Analyst

Placements24; Rustenburg; On-site; ZAR 950,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid and retirement fund

Relocation assistance

Access to advanced simulation software

Professional development opportunities

Generous leave

Career progression

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Aerospace Structures Analyst to join our team in Rustenburg, South Africa. You will perform advanced FEA analyses to ensure structural integrity of aerospace components, validate models with tests, and collaborate with design engineers to optimize weight and performance.

The ideal candidate has a Master’s or PhD in structural mechanics, 6+ years of aerospace experience, and proficiency in NASTRAN/ANSYS/PATRAN.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering with a specialization in structural mechanics.
• Minimum of 6 years hands-on experience in aerospace structural analysis.
• Proficiency in FEA software such as NASTRAN, PATRAN, ANSYS, or similar tools.
• Strong understanding of continuum mechanics, material science, fatigue, and fracture mechanics principles.

Responsibilities

• Perform detailed structural analysis using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software (e.g., NASTRAN, ANSYS) to assess stress, strain, and deflection under various load conditions.
• Conduct fatigue and fracture mechanics analysis to predict component life and ensure durability.
• Validate analytical models through correlation with test data and experimental results.
• Collaborate with design engineers to optimize structural designs for weight reduction, performance enhancement, and manufacturability.
• Interpret analysis results and generate comprehensive technical reports documenting findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Ensure compliance with aerospace industry standards, regulations, and customer-specific requirements.
• Participate in design reviews and provide critical feedback on structural integrity and performance.
• Develop and maintain analysis procedures and best practices.
• Mentor junior analysts and contribute to the technical growth of the structures team.
• Stay current with advancements in computational mechanics, materials science, and aerospace structures technology.

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leader in aerospace engineering and manufacturing, is seeking a highly motivated Senior Aerospace Structures Analyst to join their prestigious team in Rustenburg, North West . This role is crucial for ensuring the structural integrity and performance of advanced aerospace components and systems. You will be responsible for performing complex stress analysis, fatigue and fracture mechanics assessments, and contributing to the design verification and validation processes. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced structural analyst to work on challenging projects, utilize state-of-the-art simulation tools, and contribute to the development of next-generation aerospace technologies. The ideal candidate will possess a strong academic background in structural mechanics and extensive experience in finite element analysis (FEA) applied to aerospace applications. You will play a key role in ensuring our client's products meet the most stringent safety and performance requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform detailed structural analysis using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software (e.g., NASTRAN, ANSYS) to assess stress, strain, and deflection under various load conditions.
• Conduct fatigue and fracture mechanics analysis to predict component life and ensure durability.
• Validate analytical models through correlation with test data and experimental results.
• Collaborate with design engineers to optimize structural designs for weight reduction, performance enhancement, and manufacturability.
• Interpret analysis results and generate comprehensive technical reports documenting findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Ensure compliance with aerospace industry standards, regulations, and customer-specific requirements.
• Participate in design reviews and provide critical feedback on structural integrity and performance.
• Develop and maintain analysis procedures and best practices.
• Mentor junior analysts and contribute to the technical growth of the structures team.
• Stay current with advancements in computational mechanics, materials science, and aerospace structures technology.

Requirements

• Master's degree or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field with a specialization in structural mechanics.
• Minimum of 6 years of hands‑on experience in aerospace structural analysis.
• Proficiency in FEA software such as NASTRAN, PATRAN, ANSYS, or similar tools.
• Strong understanding of continuum mechanics, material science, fatigue, and fracture mechanics principles.
• Experience with composite materials analysis is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with aerospace certification processes and standards (e.g., FAA, EASA).
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong technical writing and communication skills for report generation and presentation.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• Must be a South African citizen or hold a valid work permit for South Africa .

Benefits

• A competitive annual salary package ranging from R to R , commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund benefits.
• Generous annual leave and sick leave policies.
• Opportunities for professional development, including advanced training courses and certifications.
• Relocation assistance may be provided for candidates relocating to Rustenburg, North West .
• Access to advanced simulation software and high-performance computing resources.
• Exposure to cutting-edge aerospace projects.
• A collaborative and innovative engineering culture.
• Potential for career progression within a growing organization.
• Employee assistance program for personal well-being.