STRUCTURAL ANALYST - JOB #1143

STRUCTURAL ANALYST - JOB #1143

Position: Structural Analyst

Reports To: Head of Structural Analysis

Status: Full-Time, On-Site, Salary, Exempt

Pay Range:

POSITION SUMMARY

The Structural Analyst supports the design, evaluation, substantiation, and continued airworthiness of helicopter structures and structural components. The position applies engineering principles and analytical methods to assess loads, stress, deformation, fatigue, damage tolerance, structural integrity, and compliance with applicable requirements.

Working within Engineering, the Structural Analyst collaborates with design engineers, manufacturing, quality, certification, flight test, and other technical teams to guide design decisions, resolve structural issues, and produce accurate analysis and substantiation in support of Enstrom aircraft and company objectives.

BASIC WORKER FUNCTION

Perform and document structural analyses of aircraft components, assemblies, repairs, and modifications to demonstrate adequate strength, stiffness, durability, and structural integrity under applicable operating and regulatory conditions.

Support structural analysis activities from requirements and load definition through design development, verification, certification, production, and in-service support. Coordinate with engineering and cross-functional stakeholders to define inputs, communicate findings, and support timely resolution of structural concerns.

Apply knowledge of statics, dynamics, mechanics of materials, structural mechanics, metallic and composite materials, fatigue, fracture mechanics, and finite element methods. Exercise sound engineering judgment when establishing assumptions, boundary conditions, load paths, margins of safety, and the need for additional analysis or testing.

Produce accurate, traceable, and timely structural substantiation that supports safe and reliable aircraft, effective design decisions, regulatory compliance, and productive collaboration across the company.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF TASKS

• Perform static strength, stiffness, stability, fatigue, durability, and damage-tolerance analyses of aircraft structures and structural components, as applicable.

• Develop and document free-body diagrams, load paths, analytical models, assumptions, boundary conditions, calculations, results, and margins of safety.

• Use classical hand-analysis methods, finite element analysis, and other appropriate analytical tools to evaluate structural behavior and integrity.

• Develop, review, or interpret structural loads and load cases for components, assemblies, installations, and aircraft conditions.

• Evaluate metallic, composite, bonded, fastened, welded, and other structural configurations using appropriate material properties and allowable data.

• Review engineering drawings, models, specifications, reports, and change documentation for structural adequacy, completeness, and consistency.

• Provide structural guidance to design engineers and recommend practical changes that improve strength, weight, durability, manufacturability, maintainability, or inspectability.

• Identify critical structural locations, failure modes, analytical limitations, and technical risks and recommend appropriate corrective actions.

• Support engineering change activities by evaluating the structural impact of proposed design changes, repairs, substitutions, and deviations.

• Prepare stress reports, structural substantiation reports, compliance documentation, presentations, and other engineering records for internal and regulatory review.

• Support structural test planning, test-article definition, instrumentation requirements, test monitoring, data review, and correlation of analytical and test results.

• Assist with the development of inspection requirements, life limits, maintenance criteria, or other continued-airworthiness provisions when supported by structural analysis.

• Support investigations of production, test, or in-service structural issues by reviewing available data, assessing structural significance, and helping develop solutions.

• Provide technical support to Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Certification, Flight Test, and Service personnel as needed.

• Review supplier analyses, material data, test results, and supporting technical documents for acceptability when assigned.

• Maintain organized analysis files, model configuration, revision control, source-data traceability, and clear records of engineering inputs and outputs.

• Participate in design and technical reviews and clearly communicate analysis status, findings, limitations, margins, and recommendations.

• Apply applicable company procedures, engineering standards, material allowables, and aviation regulatory requirements to assigned work.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline required.

• Relevant structural analysis, stress analysis, aircraft structures, or product-development experience preferred; equivalent internship, academic, or project experience may be considered.

• Experience performing classical stress calculations and evaluating structural load paths preferred.

• Experience with finite element modeling and analysis software preferred.

• Knowledge of metallic or composite aircraft structures, material behavior, fatigue, fracture mechanics, and damage-tolerance principles preferred.

• Experience reviewing engineering drawings, structural test data, and technical substantiation documents preferred.

• Experience in aviation, aerospace manufacturing, FAA-regulated product development, or certification support preferred.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of statics, dynamics, mechanics of materials, structural mechanics, and engineering mathematics.

• Ability to perform and document classical stress, deflection, buckling, joint, fastener, and stability calculations.

• Working knowledge of finite element modeling, model verification, boundary conditions, meshing, and interpretation of analysis results.

• Ability to understand structural load paths and evaluate the behavior of components, joints, assemblies, and airframe structures.

• Knowledge of fatigue, durability, fracture mechanics, and damage-tolerance concepts applicable to aircraft structures.

• Ability to select and apply appropriate material properties, structural allowables, factors of safety, and analytical methods.

• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, test plans, standards, and technical reports.

• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex structural findings clearly.

• Ability to collaborate across engineering and operational functions while managing multiple assignments, analytical models, priorities, and deadlines.

• Commitment to aircraft safety, structural integrity, quality, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Work is performed primarily in an office and engineering environment with frequent use of a computer and standard office equipment.

• Ability to remain seated and perform computer-based analysis, technical writing, drawing review, and data review for extended periods.

• Ability to occasionally stand, walk, bend, reach, and access office, engineering, production, hangar, test, and aircraft areas as required.

• Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull materials, equipment, or documents weighing up to 25 pounds.

• Ability to safely enter operational areas where noise, moving equipment, aircraft, and other manufacturing or hangar conditions may be present and to use required personal protective equipment.

This is a full-time, on-site, salaried exempt position located in Menominee, Michigan.