We are looking for an experienced and passionate Head of Structures to lead and further develop our growing structures team.

In this role, you will take overall technicalresponsibility for the structural development of our VTOL aircrafts, fro initial concepts and structural architecture through detailed design, analysis, manufacturing support and structural testing.

You will define the structural strategy, make key technical decisions and ensure that lightweight, robust, manufacturable and certifiable structures are developed inline with the overall aircraft and programme objectives. You will lead a multidisciplinary team of structural design and analysis engineers while remaining closely involved in design reviews, prototype manufacturing, aircraft integration and structural testing.

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What you’ll do in your day-to-day:

• You lead and further develop the structures team and take overall technical responsibility for the aircraft structure, from preliminary design through detailed design, manufacturing, testing and flight operations.
• You define and maintain the structural architecture, load paths, design principles and material concepts and lead the development of primary and secondary structures, including fuselage, wings, empennage, propulsion-supporting structures, landing gear interfaces and system installations.
• You define structural requirements, verification methods, test strategies and acceptance criteria and coordinate analyses covering strength, stiffness, stability, fatigue, damage tolerance, vibration and dynamic behaviour.
• You plan, review and support coupon, component, subassembly and full-scale structural tests and ensure compliance with applicable airworthiness requirements, certification objectives and internal development processes.
• You coordinate closely with Loads, Flight Physics, Systems Engineering, Manufacturing, Testing, Certification and Quality to develop lightweight, robust, manufacturable and integrated structural solutions.
• You review and approve structural concepts, calculations, drawings, reports and test documentation and manage structural risks, deviations, design changes and corrective actions.
• You actively support prototype manufacturing, structural assembly, aircraft integration, ground and flight testing and the resolution of practical issues, structural findings, damage or failures directly on the hardware.
• You establish and continuously improve engineering processes, methods, tools and documentation standards and support the selection and coordination of external development and manufacturing partners.
• You translate the structural development roadmap into clear priorities and responsibilities and support the growth of the team through recruiting, onboarding, mentoring and technical development.

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This is what you’ll bring to the team:

• You hold an academic degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering or a comparable technical course of study.
• Several years of professional experience in aircraft structures, including responsibility for structural design, analysis or verification, form part of your background.
• Strong experience in the development of lightweight aircraft structures from initial concept through detailed design and testing is something you bring to the table.
• You have extensive knowledge of composite, metallic and sandwich structures, including relevant manufacturing and joining technologies.
• Structural mechanics, load paths, finite element analysis, strength, stability, fatigue and structural testing form part of your technical expertise.
• You bring strong hands-on experience in the manufacturing, assembly, modification, repair or testing of aircraft structures and prototypes.
• You are comfortable working directly with prototypes and hardware and enjoy resolving practical structural and integration challenges together with the workshop and test teams.
• Leading a multidisciplinary engineering team while remaining technically and practically involved is something you are capable of.
• You are able to make technical decisions and balance weight, performance, safety, manufacturability, cost and schedule.
• Target-oriented self-management comes naturally to you, along with a structured and pragmatic working style.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, leadership and technical writing skills complete your profile.
• Fluent English rounds out your qualifications.

The following would further strengthen your application:

• Experience with the structural development of VTOL aircraft, helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, UAVs or other lightweight aerospace systems is a plus.
• Knowledge of EASA regulations and guidance material for UAS and eVTOL development, such as SORA, SC Light-UAS or SC-VTOL, is a valuable asset.
• Experience with structural compliance demonstration, certification documentation and coordination with certification authorities adds to your profile.
• Familiarity with finite element and design tools such as ANSYS, Nastran, Abaqus, Siemens NX or comparable software strengthens your application.
• Experience with composite manufacturing processes, bonded joints and mechanically fastened joints is an advantage.
• Planning and conducting structural test campaigns, from test definition and readiness through execution and data evaluation, is something you have done before.
• Experience in building up or growing an engineering team, including hiring and mentoring, rounds out your qualifications.
• German language skills are an advantage.

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