Senior Aircraft Structures Engineer—Remote & Lead in FEA

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement contributions

Generous annual leave

Advanced training opportunities

Conferences participation

Remote work flexibility

Job summary

Placements24 in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, seeks a seasoned Senior Aircraft Structures Engineer to lead structural design and analysis of aerospace components, ensuring safety, performance and regulatory compliance across programs.

You will perform FEA-based analysis, specify materials, oversee testing and certification activities, mentor junior engineers, and collaborate with manufacturing and systems engineering to ensure design for manufacturability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering with a structures specialization.
• Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in aircraft structural design and analysis.
• Proficiency with FEA tools (ANSYS, NASTRAN, ABAQUS).
• Strong knowledge of materials science, fatigue, fracture mechanics, and aeroelasticity.
• Experience with composite materials design and manufacturing processes.
• Familiarity with aircraft certification processes and regulatory requirements.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and ability to work remotely.

Responsibilities

• Perform structural analysis and design for aircraft components using FEA.
• Develop engineering drawings, specs, and stress reports.
• Select materials and run trade studies for performance.
• Oversee structural testing, validation, and certification.
• Ensure compliance with FAA/EASA and customer requirements.
• Collaborate with manufacturing and systems engineering for manufacturability.
• Investigate structural issues and propose design improvements.
• Mentor junior engineers and lead structural projects.
• Maintain expertise in advanced composites and metallic structures.
• Contribute to process improvements for Port Elizabeth operations.

Skills

FEA analysis

Aerospace structures

Aeroelasticity

Composite materials

Regulatory compliance

Mentoring

Remote collaboration

Education

BSc/MSc in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering (structures)

Tools

ANSYS

NASTRAN

ABAQUS

Job description

Placements24 in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, seeks a seasoned Senior Aircraft Structures Engineer to lead structural design and analysis of aerospace components, ensuring safety, performance and regulatory compliance across programs.

You will perform FEA-based analysis, specify materials, oversee testing and certification activities, mentor junior engineers, and collaborate with manufacturing and systems engineering to ensure design for manufacturability.