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- Tasks: Analyse and optimise UAV airframes, focusing on lightweight structures and composites.
- Company: Innovative aerospace company with a dynamic engineering team.
- Benefits: Gain hands-on experience and work on real engineering challenges.
- Why this job: Take ownership of projects and influence early-stage aircraft development.
- Qualifications: Degree in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering and FEA tool experience.
- Other info: Join a small team and tackle exciting aerospace problems.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We’re looking for a Structural Analysis Engineer to work on advanced UAV airframes, focusing on lightweight structures, composites, and full-airframe structural integrity. This role is ideal for someone who wants real ownership, works comfortably across disciplines, and enjoys early-stage aircraft development.
What you’ll work on:
- Define and analyse airframe load cases (manoeuvre, gust, landing, propulsion, inertial)
- Perform global and local FEA on wings, centre bodies, booms, mounts, and joints
- Conduct stress, deflection, stiffness, and buckling analysis
- Carry out composite laminate and sandwich panel analysis
- Evaluate margins of safety and reserve factors
- Support fatigue, durability, and damage tolerance assessments (concept–preliminary level)
- Perform modal and vibration analysis to avoid resonance issues
- Support thermal–structural effects from motors, batteries, and environment
- Work closely with design, aero, performance, and systems teams to influence structure early
- Support structural optimisation for weight vs strength
- Contribute to test correlation and design iteration
- Produce clear, review-ready analysis documentation
What we’re looking for:
- Degree in Aerospace / Mechanical Engineering (or similar)
- Strong fundamentals in aircraft structures
- Hands-on experience with FEA tools (ANSYS, Abaqus, NASTRAN, etc.)
- Understanding of composite structures and lightweight design
- Comfortable working with CAD geometry and evolving designs
- Able to think beyond tools and apply engineering judgement
Nice to have:
- Experience with UAVs or small aircraft
- Exposure to composites manufacturing or testing
- Experience working on early-stage aerospace programmes
Why join us:
- High technical ownership
- Work across the full design lifecycle
- Small, sharp engineering team
- Real engineering problems, not siloed tasks
It is mandatory for the candidate to hold a valid UK visa for this role. We do not provide visa sponsorship for this position.
Structural Analysis Engineer - UAV (6-month Contract) in Northampton employer: Defy Aerospace
Contact Detail:
Defy Aerospace Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Structural Analysis Engineer - UAV (6-month Contract) in Northampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the aerospace field, especially those who work with UAVs. Attend industry events or webinars to make connections and learn about potential job openings.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your FEA projects and any relevant analysis you've done. This will give you an edge during interviews and demonstrate your hands-on experience.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of composite structures and lightweight design. Be ready to discuss how you've applied engineering judgement in past projects.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Structural Analysis Engineer - UAV (6-month Contract) in Northampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience with lightweight structures and composites. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t be shy about showcasing relevant projects or coursework!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about UAVs and structural analysis. We love seeing candidates who can express their enthusiasm for early-stage aircraft development.
Show Off Your Technical Skills: Don’t forget to mention your hands-on experience with FEA tools like ANSYS or Abaqus. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so make sure we know what you bring to the table!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Defy Aerospace
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of structural analysis, especially in relation to UAVs. Be ready to discuss specific load cases and FEA tools like ANSYS or Abaqus. Showing that you can talk confidently about your hands-on experience will impress the interviewers.
✨Show Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to share examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past. Think about times when you had to apply your engineering judgement beyond just using tools. This role is all about real ownership, so demonstrating your ability to think critically will set you apart.
✨Collaborate Like a Pro
Since this position involves working closely with various teams, be ready to discuss your experience in cross-disciplinary collaboration. Share instances where you influenced design decisions or contributed to team projects, highlighting your communication skills and teamwork.
✨Document Your Success
Be prepared to talk about how you produce clear, review-ready analysis documentation. Bring examples if possible! This shows that you not only understand the technical side but can also communicate your findings effectively, which is crucial for this role.
