Senior Aircraft Stress Engineer (Remote)

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; Hybrid; ZAR 2,001,000 - 3,001,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement savings plan

Professional development opportunities

Access to advanced simulation tools

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Aircraft Stress Engineer to perform static and dynamic stress analyses using FEA tools (NASTRAN, ANSYS, Abaqus) for aerospace structures. You will develop analytical models, assess fatigue and fracture behavior, and collaborate with cross‑functional teams to optimize weight and performance.

Strong remote‑work capabilities and global collaboration are essential. The role requires a Master’s/PhD in aerospace or mechanical engineering with a structural mechanics

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering with structural mechanics specialization.
• A minimum of 8 years' hands-on aircraft structural analysis experience and FEA emphasis.
• Experience with NASTRAN, PATRAN, ANSYS, Abaqus is required.
• Knowledge of materials properties, fatigue and fracture mechanics in aerospace.
• Experience with composite materials analysis is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with FAA/EASA certification processes.

Responsibilities

• Perform static and dynamic stress analysis on aircraft structures using FEA.
• Develop analytical models for various flight and ground loads.
• Conduct fatigue/fracture mechanics analyses to predict service life and failure modes.
• Collaborate with design, aerodynamics, and materials engineers to optimize structure.
• Apply aerospace standards and company design requirements to analyses.
• Prepare technical reports detailing methods, results, and recommendations.
• Support testing and certification by analyzing data and correlating with predictions.
• Participate in design reviews and risk assessments; investigate failures.
• Stay current with computational mechanics and aerospace design practices.

Skills

NASTRAN

PATRAN

ANSYS

Abaqus

Fatigue analysis

Fracture mechanics

Composite materials

Regulatory knowledge (FAA/EASA)

Technical communication

Remote collaboration

Education

Master's in Aerospace or Mechanical Eng with structural focus

Ph.D. (optional)

Tools

MS Office

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a globally recognized leader in aircraft design and manufacturing, is seeking a highly experienced Senior Aircraft Stress Engineer to join their expanding engineering team. This is a fully remote position, allowing you to contribute your expertise from anywhere. You will be responsible for performing critical structural analysis and ensuring the integrity and safety of aircraft components and assemblies. This role demands a profound understanding of structural mechanics, materials science, and fatigue life prediction within the rigorous context of the aviation industry. As a remote-first member of our team, you will collaborate with highly skilled engineers and designers worldwide, utilizing advanced simulation tools and methodologies to drive innovation in aircraft structural design. This is an exceptional opportunity for a seasoned professional to make a significant impact from a remote setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive static and dynamic stress analysis on aircraft structures, components, and systems using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software (e.g., NASTRAN, ANSYS).
• Develop and validate analytical models to predict structural behavior under various load conditions, including flight loads, ground loads, and environmental factors.
• Perform fatigue and fracture mechanics analysis to determine the service life and predict potential failure modes of critical structural elements.
• Collaborate with design engineers, aerodynamics specialists, and materials engineers to optimize structural design for weight reduction, performance enhancement, and manufacturability.
• Interpret and apply aerospace standards (e.g., FAR Part 25, MIL-STD) and company design requirements to structural analysis.
• Prepare detailed technical reports documenting analysis methodologies, results, assumptions, and recommendations for design changes.
• Support the testing and certification of aircraft structures, analyzing test data and correlating it with analytical predictions.
• Participate in design reviews, risk assessments, and failure investigations related to aircraft structures.
• Stay current with advancements in computational mechanics, materials technology, and aerospace structural design practices.

Requirements

• A Master's or Ph.D. degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field with a specialization in structural mechanics.
• A minimum of 8 years of hands‑on experience in aircraft structural analysis and design, with a strong emphasis on FEA.
• Proven expertise in using industry-standard FEA software (e.g., NASTRAN, PATRAN, ANSYS, Abaqus).
• Solid understanding of material properties, failure theories, fatigue, and fracture mechanics relevant to aerospace applications.
• Experience with composite materials analysis is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with aerospace regulations and certification processes (e.g., FAA, EASA).
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and critical‑thinking abilities.
• Strong technical writing and communication skills, capable of conveying complex technical information clearly.
• Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively in a remote team environment.
• Eligibility to work remotely without geographical restrictions within approved jurisdictions.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, tailored for a remote workforce.
• This includes health, dental, and vision insurance, along with a generous retirement savings plan.
• We provide ample opportunities for professional development, continuous learning, and attendance at key industry conferences.
• Access to state‑of-the-art software and simulation tools is guaranteed.
• The flexibility of this fully remote role allows for excellent work-life integration.
• You will be part of an innovative and globally distributed engineering team, contributing to the forefront of aerospace technology.
• We foster a culture that values expertise, encourages independent problem‑solving, and recognizes outstanding contributions.
• Joining us means advancing your career in a dynamic and impactful field from the convenience of your home office.