Mechanical Engineer – Blast & Structural Response
Mechanical Engineer – Blast & Structural Response

Mechanical Engineer – Blast & Structural Response

Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
A

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Join a dynamic team to tackle complex engineering challenges in the Nuclear sector.
  • Company: ALTEN, a global leader in engineering and technology consultancy.
  • Benefits: Personalised career paths, private medical insurance, and flexible working options.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on innovative projects that shape the future of technology.
  • Qualifications: Degree in Engineering and experience in mechanical and structural analysis.
  • Other info: Collaborative environment with ongoing learning and career development opportunities.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

ALTEN is a global engineering and technology consultancy operating across over 35 countries worldwide. We partner with industry leaders across sectors including Aeronautics, Aerospace, Defence, Naval, Automotive, Energy, Rail, IT and many more to deliver innovative engineering solutions that drive technological advancement and support sustainable transformation. Our teams of passionate and agile engineers work on cutting-edge projects that shape the future of technology and sustainability. At ALTEN, we empower talented engineers to innovate, solve complex challenges, and deliver impactful solutions that build tomorrow’s world—today.

As a Mechanical Engineer, you will join the Derby/ Warrington/ Manchester team to support our activities within the Nuclear sector. You will contribute to high-integrity engineering assessments involving blast loading, fire response, and extreme structural events, working on complex systems where engineering judgement is required beyond standard design codes. The role combines analytical hand calculations with advanced numerical modelling to support design assurance in regulated environments. You will collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to evaluate equipment response, verify load paths, and develop robust engineering methodologies for challenging scenarios.

Location: Derby/ Warrington/ Manchester
On Site: 2 times per week
Clearance: BPSS
Experience Level: 3-10 YOE

Key Responsibilities:

  • Perform structural and dynamic analysis for blast, fire, and extreme loading scenarios
  • Conduct hand calculations and develop reusable engineering calculation templates
  • Carry out finite element analysis (FEA) to assess equipment and structural response
  • Evaluate seismic loading, load paths, and structural integrity
  • Apply engineering judgement in areas where formal standards are limited
  • Support CFD-related assessments such as flow-induced and acoustic-induced vibration
  • Produce high-quality technical reports and engineering justification documents
  • Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams on safety-critical design decisions

Qualifications Required Skills:

  • Strong background in mechanical engineering and structural analysis
  • Priority experience in fire and blast engineering
  • Experience with seismic assessment and equipment response
  • Advanced capability in Mathcad (essential)
  • Experience with LS-DYNA or equivalent nonlinear FEA tools (desirable)
  • Ability to develop calculation methods from first principles
  • Strong analytical judgement in non-standard engineering scenarios

Required Qualifications:

  • A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, or equivalent military experience.

Desirable Skills:

  • Experience in nuclear, power generation, or other safety-critical industries
  • Knowledge of ONR safety principles, INPO guidance, or similar regulatory frameworks
  • Experience in defence, nuclear, or other safety-critical industries
  • Exposure to CFD methods relevant to vibration and dynamic loading
  • Familiarity with export-controlled project environments

Additional Information:

We bring together entrepreneurial, tech-driven people to deliver innovative solutions for leading companies. At ALTEN, you’ll work on exciting projects, supported by ongoing learning, mentoring, and clear career development tailored to your goals. Join a passionate team and help build tomorrow, today.

What you get:

  • A personalised career path and a rewarding management style
  • A huge diversity of engineering projects and industries
  • Private Medical Insurance
  • Cycle & Tech Scheme
  • Employee assistance programme
  • Life insurance & Pension Scheme
  • Social atmosphere, regular gatherings & team buildings
  • Flexible way of working (role dependent)

We are proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant and actively encourage applications from members of the Armed Forces community, including veterans, reservists, service leavers, and military spouses/partners. We recognise the value of military skills and experience and are committed to ensuring that no applicant is unfairly disadvantaged during our recruitment and selection processes. This role may require you to have or be willing to go through Security Clearance. As part of the onboarding process candidates will be asked to complete a Baseline Personnel Security Standard; details of the evidence required to apply may be found on the government website Gov.UK. If you are unable to meet this and any associated criteria, then your employment may be delayed, or rejected. Details of this will be discussed with you at interview.

Mechanical Engineer – Blast & Structural Response employer: ALTEN

ALTEN is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and innovative work culture, empowering engineers to tackle complex challenges in the Nuclear sector. With a strong emphasis on personal development, employees benefit from tailored career paths, diverse engineering projects, and a supportive environment that encourages collaboration and continuous learning. Located in Derby, Warrington, and Manchester, ALTEN offers flexible working arrangements and a range of benefits including private medical insurance and a vibrant social atmosphere, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
A

Contact Detail:

ALTEN Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Mechanical Engineer – Blast & Structural Response

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at ALTEN on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical skills. Since this role involves complex engineering assessments, be ready to discuss your experience with blast loading and structural analysis in detail.

Tip Number 3

Show off your passion for innovation! During interviews, share examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges creatively. This will demonstrate that you're not just about following codes but also about pushing boundaries.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at ALTEN.

We think you need these skills to ace Mechanical Engineer – Blast & Structural Response

Mechanical Engineering
Structural Analysis
Fire Engineering
Blast Engineering
Seismic Assessment
Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
Mathcad
LS-DYNA
Analytical Judgement
Technical Report Writing
Collaboration with Cross-Disciplinary Teams
CFD Methods
Dynamic Loading Analysis
Engineering Method Development

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Mechanical Engineer role. Highlight your experience in blast and structural response, and don’t forget to mention any relevant projects or skills that align with what we’re looking for.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about engineering and how your background makes you a perfect fit for our team. Be sure to mention your experience with fire and blast engineering.

Showcase Your Technical Skills: We love seeing technical skills in action! If you’ve got experience with Mathcad, LS-DYNA, or any other relevant tools, make sure to highlight these in your application. It’ll help us see how you can contribute to our innovative projects.

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company there.

How to prepare for a job interview at ALTEN

Know Your Engineering Fundamentals

Brush up on your mechanical engineering principles, especially those related to blast and structural response. Be ready to discuss how you’ve applied these concepts in past projects, as this will show your depth of knowledge and practical experience.

Familiarise Yourself with Relevant Tools

Make sure you’re comfortable with Mathcad and any FEA tools like LS-DYNA. If you have experience with CFD methods, be prepared to talk about how you've used them in relation to vibration and dynamic loading scenarios.

Prepare for Technical Questions

Expect to face technical questions that assess your analytical judgement in non-standard engineering scenarios. Think of examples where you’ve had to apply engineering judgement beyond standard design codes, and be ready to explain your thought process.

Show Your Collaborative Spirit

Since the role involves working with multi-disciplinary teams, highlight your teamwork experiences. Share specific instances where you collaborated on safety-critical design decisions, showcasing your ability to communicate effectively and contribute to group success.

Mechanical Engineer – Blast & Structural Response
ALTEN

Land your dream job quicker with Premium

You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
Go Premium

Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

A
Similar positions in other companies
UK’s top job board for Gen Z
discover-jobs-cta
Discover now
>