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- Tasks: Analyse and optimise UAV airframes, focusing on lightweight structures and composites.
- Company: Defy Aerospace, a cutting-edge company in early-stage aircraft development.
- Benefits: Gain high technical ownership and work with a sharp engineering team.
- Why this job: Tackle real engineering challenges and influence design from the start.
- Qualifications: Degree in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering and experience with FEA tools.
- Other info: Must hold a valid UK visa; no sponsorship available.
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) - Defy Aerospace in Milton Keynes employer: Jobster
Contact Detail:
Jobster Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Structural Analysis Engineer - UAV (6-month Contract) - Defy Aerospace in Milton Keynes
✨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 when discussing your experience during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of structural integrity and lightweight design principles. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these concepts in past projects.
✨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 genuinely interested in joining our team at Defy Aerospace.
We think you need these skills to ace Structural Analysis Engineer - UAV (6-month Contract) - Defy Aerospace in Milton Keynes
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 with our small, sharp engineering team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Jobster
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of lightweight structures and composites. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've applied FEA tools like ANSYS or Abaqus. This shows you’re not just familiar with the theory but have practical experience too.
✨Show Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to talk about how you've tackled real engineering problems in the past. Think of examples where you had to analyse airframe load cases or conduct stress analysis. Highlight your thought process and how you arrived at solutions.
✨Collaborate Like a Pro
Since this role involves working closely with various teams, be ready to share experiences where you collaborated across disciplines. Discuss how you influenced design decisions and contributed to structural optimisation for weight versus strength.
✨Documentation is Key
Don’t forget to mention your ability to produce clear, review-ready analysis documentation. Bring examples if you can, as this will demonstrate your attention to detail and your understanding of the importance of communication in engineering.
