Senior Aircraft Structures Engineer

Placements24; George; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical aid

Retirement fund

Performance-based incentives

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 in George, Western Cape is seeking a Senior Aircraft Structures Engineer to lead the design, analysis and modification of aircraft structural components, ensuring airworthiness and compliance with industry standards.

You will apply FEA (NASTRAN/ANSYS), perform stress and fatigue analyses, produce drawings and reports, and mentor junior engineers while collaborating with manufacturing and certification teams to deliver safe, compliant structures in a dynamic aerospace environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering.
• 7+ years in aircraft structural design/analysis.
• Experience with regulatory certification processes (EASA/FAA).

Responsibilities

• Lead structural design and analysis of new components and modifications using FEA software.
• Perform stress, fatigue, and damage tolerance analyses for aircraft structures.
• Create and maintain detailed drawings, specifications and reports.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, flight test and certification teams to implement designs.
• Ensure designs comply with aviation regulations and industry standards.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers.
• Conduct root-cause analysis for structural issues and propose corrective actions.
• Stay updated on materials, fabrication advances and analysis techniques.

Skills

FEA analysis

Lead/mentorship

Regulatory compliance

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering

Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

NASTRAN

ANSYS

CATIA

SolidWorks

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent player in the aerospace manufacturing and MRO sector, is seeking an experienced Senior Aircraft Structures Engineer to join their esteemed engineering division in George, Western Cape. This pivotal role will involve the design, analysis, and modification of aircraft structural components, ensuring compliance with rigorous airworthiness standards and client specifications. You will be instrumental in contributing to the structural integrity and safety of aircraft, working on a variety of projects within a collaborative engineering environment. The position is based in the beautiful coastal city of George, offering a unique blend of professional challenge and lifestyle appeal.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the structural design and analysis of new aircraft components and modifications using advanced FEA (Finite Element Analysis) software.
• Conduct stress analysis, fatigue analysis, and damage tolerance assessments for aircraft structures.
• Develop and maintain detailed engineering drawings, specifications, and reports.
• Collaborate closely with manufacturing, flight test, and certification teams to ensure successful implementation of structural designs.
• Ensure all structural designs and analyses comply with relevant aviation regulations (e.g., EASA, FAA) and industry standards.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers.
• Perform root cause analysis for structural failures or issues and propose corrective actions.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in materials, manufacturing processes, and structural analysis techniques in the aerospace industry.
• Liaise with clients and regulatory authorities regarding structural design and certification matters.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in aircraft structural design and analysis.
• Proficiency in FEA software such as NASTRAN, ANSYS, or similar.
• Strong understanding of aircraft materials, manufacturing processes, and structural mechanics.
• Demonstrated experience with regulatory compliance and certification processes for aircraft structures.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong project management and leadership capabilities.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills for cross-functional team collaboration.
• Experience with CAD software (e.g., CATIA, SolidWorks) is a plus.
• Must be authorized to work in South Africa and ideally reside in or be willing to relocate to George, Western Cape.

Benefits

• Our client provides a highly competitive salary package, commensurate with the seniority of the role and the candidate's expertise.
• In addition to the base salary, a comprehensive benefits package includes private medical aid, a generous retirement fund, and performance-based incentives.
• Professional development opportunities, including advanced training and conference attendance, are actively encouraged.
• This role offers a significant opportunity for career growth within a respected organization in the aviation sector, situated in the picturesque Western Cape region of George.