Structures Analyst

Metrea•Tampa, FL

About The Position

The Structures Analyst analyzes and substantiates aircraft structural modifications that support special mission equipment integration across general aviation, business, transport, and military derivative aircraft. The role evaluates structural strength and durability, develops analysis models and calculations, and prepares substantiation reports that support design decisions and certification. The analyst supports major alterations and Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) projects involving the FAA and the Peregrine Organization Designation Authorization (ODA). Working with design engineers, certification personnel, and installation teams, the analyst establishes analysis requirements, resolves structural issues, and demonstrates compliance with the applicable project certification basis. This is a full-time exempt position with typical working hours of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Hours and shifts may change according to department and business needs. Exempt employees must be available on-call as business needs require. The work is performed in an office setting, with travel requirements below 20%. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States and must be U.S. citizens. No security clearance is required.

Requirements

At least two years of relevant aircraft structural stress analysis experience, including substantiation of aircraft components, equipment installations, or modifications.
Working proficiency with an engineering finite element solver and pre/post-processing tools, with the ability to explain modeling choices and independently check results.
Working knowledge of statics, strength of materials, structural mechanics, aircraft load paths, metallic material behavior, joint analysis, and structural stability.
Ability to perform classical stress calculations, select appropriate material allowables, and calculate and interpret margins of safety for relevant failure modes.
Ability to interpret aircraft drawings and 3D models and document analysis assumptions, methods, results, and limitations in clear technical reports.
Experience with special mission aircraft modifications, equipment racks, mounting provisions, and structural integration of mission systems.
Experience supporting major alterations or STC projects in coordination with FAA or ODA certification personnel.
Familiarity with structural substantiation documentation, aircraft certification requirements, and configuration-controlled technical data packages.
Working knowledge of aircraft structural design fundamentals, sheet metal and machined-part fabrication, materials, fasteners, and corrosion protection.
Ability to interpret aircraft drawings and technical data and translate survey information into accurate, buildable designs.
Ability to prepare clear engineering documentation and communicate effectively with engineers, technicians, project managers, and customers.
Ability to work with design engineers and certification personnel, manage concurrent assignments, identify technical risks, and seek clarification or escalate issues when needed.
Proficiency with engineering calculation tools, such as Mathcad or controlled Excel worksheets, and Microsoft Office applications.
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States and be a U.S. citizen.

Nice To Haves

Experience substantiating special mission aircraft modifications, equipment racks, mounting provisions, and changes to existing airframe structure.
Experience preparing structural compliance reports for major alterations or STC projects involving FAA, ODA, or delegated engineering review.
Experience with fatigue and damage-tolerance methods, vibration or modal analysis, or structural test planning and correlation.
Experience analyzing honeycomb sandwich panels, bonded joints, or composite structures, and applying recognized aircraft structural analysis methods and material allowables.
Familiarity with SolidWorks or similar CAD tools, configuration management, and scripting or automation of repeatable analysis tasks.

Responsibilities

Review customer requirements, aircraft drawings, installation concepts, and certification requirements to define structural analysis scope, assumptions, and required substantiation.
Establish applicable load cases and load paths with design and certification teams, including relevant inertial, aerodynamic, pressurization, and ground loads.
Perform classical hand calculations and finite element analysis (FEA) of equipment supports, joints, fasteners, sheet metal and machined parts, sandwich panels, and affected aircraft structure.
Evaluate stresses, deflections, joint loads, yielding, ultimate strength, and buckling; select and document material allowables, factors, failure criteria, and margins of safety.
Develop and verify finite element models, documenting idealization, mesh convergence, boundary conditions, and load application; check results against independent calculations and available test data.
Assess fatigue and damage-tolerance implications where applicable, and coordinate specialist support for work outside demonstrated competence.
Prepare configuration-controlled structural substantiation reports documenting methods, inputs, assumptions, results, limitations, and compliance conclusions for technical review and approval.
Recommend design changes, assess installation deviations and engineering changes, and support structural test plans, test-data evaluation, and resolution of analysis-to-test discrepancies.
Participate in aircraft surveys and design reviews; coordinate with FAA and ODA personnel through established project channels; resolve technical review comments and maintain analysis traceability.