Senior/Principal Airframe Stress Engineer

Como Senior o Principal Airframe Stress Engineer, liderarás los esfuerzos de análisis estructural para el desarrollo, certificación y producción del avión híbrido-eléctrico eSTOL de Electra. Serás responsable de garantizar la integridad estructural de los componentes metálicos y compuestos mediante análisis detallados, pruebas y justificación de certificación. Colaborarás con equipos de diseño, cargas, materiales, fabricación, pruebas y certificación para desarrollar estructuras robustas que cumplan con los requisitos de la FAA.

Responsibilities

• Support development of major airframe structures from preliminary design through certification, production launch, and manufacturing ramp-up
• Perform static strength, fatigue, and durability analyses for metallic and composite aircraft structures
• Develop structural substantiation methods and analysis plans supporting FAA Part 23 type certification
• Create and validate finite element models using FEMAP/Nastran or equivalent analysis tools
• Perform detailed hand calculations using industry-standard methodologies and references including:
• Bruhn
• Niu
• Roark
• ESDU
• Classical mechanics of materials approaches
• Collaborate with loads, design, materials & processes, manufacturing, structural test, and certification teams throughout the entire development process
• Support trade studies and structural design optimization activities
• Define structural analysis requirements and certification substantiation plans
• Review and approve design dispositions and engineering analyses
• Support component, subassembly, and full-scale structural testing activities, including:
• Test planning
• Requirements definition
• Instrumentation support
• Data review
• Test reporting
• Prepare structural substantiation reports and certification documentation
• Present structural analyses and recommendations during internal and external design reviews
• Support supplier technical reviews and provide guidance on structural analysis methodologies
• Contribute to the establishment of structural analysis processes, best practices, and design standards

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related engineering discipline
• Experience in airframe structural analysis supporting aircraft development programs
• Strong knowledge of metallic and composite aircraft structures
• Experience supporting FAA Part 23 and/or Part 25 aircraft certification programs
• Advanced proficiency with FEMAP/Nastran or equivalent finite element analysis tools
• Experience with NX or similar CAD platforms
• Strong understanding of:
• Aircraft loads
• Free body diagrams
• Structural load paths
• Mechanics of materials
• Structural stability and failure modes
• Advanced proficiency performing both hand calculations and finite element analyses
• Experience developing structural substantiation reports and certification documentation
• Strong technical writing and communication skills
• Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary engineering teams
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities

Nice to have

• Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline
• Experience supporting aircraft programs from conceptual design through certification and production
• Experience with composite airframe design and certification
• Experience supporting structural testing and correlation of analytical models
• Familiarity with hybrid-electric, eSTOL, eVTOL, or advanced air mobility aircraft programs
• Experience working directly with regulatory authorities during certification efforts
• Experience mentoring engineers and reviewing structural analyses
• U.S. Person (U.S. Citizen or Green Card holder) preferred

Benefits

• Competitive salary and equity
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance; STD, LTD, and life insurance
• Generous PTO, sick leave, and company holidays
• Paid winter break
• 401(k) with immediate vesting
• Free catered lunches, coffee, snacks, and drinks at our Manassas headquarters
• Free on-site parking