Senior Airframe Structures Engineer

Placements24; Durban; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement annuity

Life insurance

Professional development

Career advancement

Job summary

Placements24 in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, is seeking a Senior Airframe Structures Engineer to lead the analysis, design and validation of aircraft structures using FEA and materials expertise.

You will model with ANSYS and NASTRAN, apply aerospace materials and design allowables, ensure FAR Part 25 and MIL-SPEC compliance, and mentor junior engineers while collaborating with production teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering.
• 8+ years in airframe structures design and analysis.
• Expertise in FEA and CFD where applicable.
• Proficient in CATIA/SolidWorks and FEA pre/post processors.
• Strong knowledge of aerospace materials and failure mechanisms.
• Familiarity with fatigue and fracture mechanics.
• Experience with aerospace certification processes.
• Excellent analytical, communication and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform structural analysis and design of airframe components.
• Use FEA software (e.g., ANSYS, NASTRAN) to model structures.
• Develop and validate structural test plans.
• Collaborate with manufacturing engineers for producibility and quality.
• Apply aerospace material properties and design allowables.
• Ensure compliance with FAR Part 25, MIL-SPEC and customer requirements.
• Create and maintain drawings, reports, and specifications.
• Provide mentorship to junior engineers.
• Investigate structural failures and recommend corrective actions.
• Participate in design reviews and risk management.

Skills

FEA

CFD

CATIA

SolidWorks

Materials science

Fatigue & fracture

Certification processes

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CATIA

SolidWorks

ANSYS

NASTRAN

Job description

About the Role Our client, a prominent force in the aerospace manufacturing sector, is actively seeking a highly skilled Senior Airframe Structures Engineer to join their esteemed team in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal . This pivotal role involves the analysis, design, and validation of aircraft structural components and assemblies. The successful candidate will apply advanced engineering principles and finite element analysis (FEA) to ensure the integrity, safety, and performance of aircraft structures under extreme operational conditions. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking projects and work alongside industry-leading professionals in the dynamic field of aerospace engineering. Our client is dedicated to innovation and excellence in aircraft design and manufacturing, making Durban a key hub for their operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform structural analysis and design of airframe components, including fuselage sections, wings, and control surfaces.
• Utilize Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software (e.g., ANSYS, NASTRAN) to model and simulate structural behavior under various load conditions.
• Develop and validate structural test plans to verify design integrity and performance.
• Collaborate with manufacturing engineers to ensure designs are feasible for production and meet quality standards.
• Interpret and apply aerospace material properties and design allowables in structural calculations.
• Ensure designs comply with all relevant aerospace regulations, standards (e.g., FAR Part 25, MIL-SPEC), and customer requirements.
• Create and maintain detailed engineering documentation, including drawings, reports, and specifications.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and design staff.
• Investigate structural failures or anomalies and recommend corrective actions.
• Participate in design reviews and contribute to program planning and risk management.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of 8 years of experience in airframe structures design and analysis within the aerospace industry.
• Proven expertise in Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) where applicable.
• Proficiency with CAD software (e.g., CATIA, SolidWorks) and FEA pre/post-processors.
• Thorough understanding of aerospace materials (composites, aluminum alloys, titanium) and their failure mechanisms.
• Knowledge of fatigue and fracture mechanics principles as applied to aerospace structures.
• Experience with aerospace certification processes and requirements.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with meticulous attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts.
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment and manage multiple priorities.
• Commitment to upholding the highest standards of engineering ethics and quality.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary package and comprehensive benefits, including medical aid, a retirement annuity, and life insurance. Opportunities for professional development, specialized training, and career advancement are readily available. Employees also benefit from a conducive work environment and access to cutting-edge technologies. This permanent position is based in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal , providing a stable and rewarding career path in a vital industrial sector.