Principal FEA Engineer

General Dynamics Land Systems is on the look-out for a full-time Mechanical Design Principal Engineer to join our Engineering Team. The successful and inclusive candidate will earn a favourable salary of £59,200 to £74,000 based on experience and potential. This is an ideal role for someone who has a proactive and positive mindset and a keen desire to grow professionally. Joining an established team based at our Merthyr Tydfil facility in South Wales, you will work across a range of stakeholders, requiring a holistic approach to mechanical engineering, taking into account factors such as safety, cost and ease of manufacture.

If you were already working in this position, this is what you would have been working on this week:

• Take mechanical design solutions from Design Engineers and discuss their designs with respect to their intended function.
• Consider the designs with respect to the required customer test load cases [DEF STAN] that would be simulated in FEA.
• Discuss any issues with the designs, initially with the Lead FEA Engineer, and then with the designer for modification if necessary.
• Ensure the design CAD is fit for FEA and adjust accordingly or return to design engineer with modification requirements.
• Set-up the designs in ANSYS FEA according to company and customer requirements.
• Run the FEA simulations and inspect as required and adjust any FEA settings or mesh issues to ensure a full run.
• Consider FEA results, check for accuracy and discuss the results initially with the Lead FEA Engineer, and then with the designer for design improvement if necessary.
• Preparation of FEA report for internal and external design reviews.
• You will have frequent interaction with test & trials engineers to work on any mechanical failures encountered.
• You will assess the failures and try & replicate, generally via FEA, the root failure modes and offer practical solutions.

To apply for this role, you will require the following:

• Degree level qualified in Mechanical Engineering or proven, high level FEA experience.
• Expert level user of ANSYS FEA Software [Mechanical].
• Strong mathematical skills – including knowledge of First Principle Calculations.
• Strong non-linear FEA knowledge.
• Proficient experience of undertaking Transient Dynamic FEA in ANSYS.
• Strong engineering materials knowledge.
• Proficient experience of using customer data i.e. PSD Curves in FEA.
• Proficient experience of using FMEA & RCA to identify failure modes and offer solutions.
• Proficient user of 3D CAD preferably PTC Creo.
• Proficient user of PDM systems (Windchill).
• Strong written and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work accurately and at pace.

Our Company Benefits:

• A compressed nine-day fortnight – which means every other Friday off!
• A flexible benefits scheme - allowing you to adapt your benefits to suit yours and your family’s needs.
• A personalised career development plan, alongside regular progress reviews - supporting and valuing your progression within the Company.
• Professional training and development courses, both internal and external - allowing you to reach your full potential.
• A flexible working environment where your contributions are recognised and rewarded, which includes compressed hours, reduced hours and job share.
• A Company sports and social club, offering events at discounted prices – giving you the opportunity to meet and socialise with your fellow colleagues outside the workplace.

About General Dynamics UK:

General Dynamics Land Systems is a global leader in providing products and support across the full spectrum of combat vehicles. Our global team has more than 6,000 employees working towards creating a diverse product portfolio delivering best-in-class capability to Armed Forces communities worldwide. In the UK, we employ more than 650 people and are leading the way in Armoured Fighting Vehicles and sustainment services. Our vision is documented and embedded into our culture, so all employees understand the Company’s direction and their role in achieving it.

We believe in maintaining a diverse workplace – inclusive of beliefs, cultural background, job experiences, thoughts and ideas. If who we are and what we do resonates with you, we invite you to join our high performance team. At General Dynamics Land Systems, we strive to be champions who drive diversity, equity and inclusion. We are committed to our values and beliefs to provide a healthy and secure working environment that empowers team members to build careers that reward. We are focused on supporting an inclusive company that recognizes the value in creating a dynamic team that is diverse.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, General Dynamics Land Systems (“GDLS”) provides all persons with equal opportunity and access to all aspects of the employment process, without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, age, disability, status as a protected veteran, or membership in any group protected by federal, state, or local anti-discrimination laws. GDLS also is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans.