Structural Engineer UAV H/F

The role

This person will design and analyze primary and secondary composite structures for interceptor airframes. They will perform structural and stress analysis, optimize weight, and support testing and validation.

What you will do

• Design and analyze primary and secondary composite structures of interceptor airframes
• Perform structural and stress analysis using hand calculations and finite element analysis
• Define and document load paths, free-body diagrams, and failure modes
• Own composite laminate design, layup schedules, and bonding/joining strategies
• Optimize structural weight against speed and maneuverability requirements
• Work with Aerodynamics and Propulsion teams to balance mass, CG, and vibration constraints
• Evaluate design trade-offs between composite and metallic/CNC solutions
• Support structural, vibration, shock, and environmental qualification testing
• Analyze test and flight data to identify failure modes
• Work with manufacturing partners and internal teams to ensure manufacturability

Required qualifications

• 3+ years’ experience in aerospace or aircraft structural engineering
• Experience analysing and sizing airframe structures for aerodynamic, manoeuvre, propulsion, and inertial loads
• Proficiency in finite element analysis (FEA) for static strength, stiffness, buckling and vibration modelling
• Strong CAD capability (e.g. CATIA, SolidWorks, Autodesk or comparable tools)
• Experience designing lightweight carbon-fibre composite structures
• Knowledge of composite manufacturing methods and processes
• Experience designing parts for polymer 3D printed components
• Ability to perform hand calculations and correlate analytical results with FEA and structural test data
• Strong communication and multidisciplinary collaboration skills

Nice to have

• Experience including UAV/drone platforms
• Familiarity with UAV/drone specific integration challenges
• Experience with aeroelasticity analysis, including flutter, divergence, structural deflection, and vibration assessment

About the company

Alta Ares is an air defense Neoprime that builds AI-guided interceptors to counter drones and cruise missiles. Founded in 2024, the company has 90 people and has raised over $60M.