Stress Engineer

1w1 week ago

Stirling Dynamics

Bristol, GB · Contract · £70,000 – £110,000

About this role

Stirling Dynamics is recruiting a Stress Engineer to join the Mechanical team as a contractor. The role supports the design and development of structural components for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) and other aerospace applications. Responsibilities include performing structural substantiation through analytical methods and finite element analysis (FEA).

The Stress Engineer develops load cases, assesses static and fatigue performance, and produces stress reports for design review and customer compliance. Daily tasks involve structural analysis of mechanical and electro-mechanical assemblies using classical hand calculations and FEA tools. Design trade studies recommend improvements for weight reduction, stiffness, manufacturability, and reliability.

Work closely with multidisciplinary project teams across the business to deliver projects meeting technical requirements, timescales, and budget. The role is predominantly based in the Bristol office with occasional travel to clients’ sites. Collaboration with design engineers ensures stress considerations are incorporated early in the design cycle.

Participate in technical design reviews providing stress sign-off support for PDR/CDR type reviews. Ensure compliance with applicable standards, best practices, and the Company’s Quality Management System. A competitive rate is agreed based on the contractor's experience in this fast-paced environment.

Requirements

Strong understanding of static and fatigue strength analysis principles, including familiarity with various typical aerospace metallic materials
Proficiency with FEA tools such as ANSYS, Nastran/Patran or similar, including the validation and verification process
Ability to collaborate with design engineers to optimise geometry for structural performance and manufacturability
Strong technical writing skills: able to create clear stress reports with traceable assumptions and results
Ability to communicate analysis outcomes to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
Comfortable working in fast-paced development environments
Strong experience in structural/stress analysis for mechanical systems, ideally within a regulated environment
Understanding of certification-oriented development of aerospace structures (desired)

Responsibilities

Perform structural analysis of mechanical and electro-mechanical assemblies to satisfy project requirements
Prepare design support documentation and maintain concise engineering records
Conduct static and fatigue assessment of metallic components using classical hand calculation and FEA
Support design trade studies by recommending structural improvements for weight reduction, stiffness, manufacturability, and reliability
Generate and maintain stress substantiation documentation such as stress reports or certification/compliance evidence packs
Work closely with design engineers to ensure stress considerations are incorporated early in the design cycle
Participate in technical design reviews and provide stress sign-off support (PDR/CDR type reviews)
Ensure compliance with applicable standards and best practices relevant to the work, including those issued via the Company’s Quality Management System