Stress Engineer

Job Title: Stress Engineer

Job Description

This role focuses on performing advanced structural stress analysis and supporting the design, certification, and sustainment of aircraft structures. The stress engineer applies fatigue and damage tolerance methodologies, supports both new product development and in-service fleets, and collaborates closely with multidisciplinary teams to ensure aircraft meet stringent safety, reliability, and performance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Perform advanced structural analysis using mathematical models, physical testing, and computational methods, including finite element stress analysis.
• Develop and apply basic structural analysis techniques for both static and dynamic loads, ensuring structures meet strength, stability, and fatigue requirements.
• Assist with material selection, configuration, and sizing for new airframe structures, ensuring designs align with aircraft design and production methods.
• Provide production and field support for existing aircraft, including design evaluations to ensure compliance with fatigue, strength, and stability criteria.
• Conduct fatigue and damage tolerance analysis to support aircraft structural integrity throughout the lifecycle.
• Work closely with engineering, customer service, integrated supply chain, flight test, and airworthiness organizations to support a broad range of projects with technical expertise.
• Collaborate with internal groups to develop structural test procedures and define clear pass/fail criteria.
• Support discussions with FAA, U.S. Government, and foreign authorities on structural certification issues and compliance matters.
• Participate in root cause analysis of complex structural failures and support accident investigations to improve aircraft reliability and safety.
• Maintain detailed documentation of design changes and production non-conformances, ensuring traceability and configuration control.
• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of team processes, tools, and analysis methodologies.
• Manage projects of varying size and scope, balancing multiple concurrent assignments and meeting schedule commitments.
• Communicate technical findings and recommendations clearly through reports, presentations, and cross-functional interactions.

Essential Skills

• At least 5 years of relevant technical and engineering experience in structural or stress analysis.
• Experience in basic structural analysis techniques and finite element stress analysis.
• Proficiency in developing and evaluating static and dynamic loads for aircraft structures.
• Hands-on experience with stress analysis, fatigue analysis, and damage tolerance analysis for aircraft.
• Strong working knowledge of aircraft design and production methods.
• Proficiency with Nastran for structural analysis.
• Experience using Femap or similar pre/post-processing tools for finite element models.
• Ability to perform structural analysis using mathematical, testing, and computational methods.
• Proficiency in MS Office for documentation, reporting, and data analysis.
• Strong time management skills with the ability to support multiple concurrent projects.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects of various size and scope.
• Professional and diplomatic demeanor when working with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong sense of accountability and integrity in all aspects of work.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Experience supporting aircraft certification efforts with FAA, U.S. Government, or foreign aviation authorities.
• Experience developing structural test procedures and pass/fail criteria.
• Experience in production and field support for aircraft structures, including handling non-conformances.
• Experience participating in root cause analysis of structural failures and supporting accident investigations.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams, including engineering, customer service, supply chain, flight test, and airworthiness.
• Strong attention to detail and thorough documentation practices.
• Interest in contributing to continuous improvement of tools, processes, and best practices in structural analysis.

Work Environment

The role operates in an engineering office setting with a standard Monday through Friday schedule, typically from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Work is primarily computer-based, involving structural analysis tools such as Nastran and Femap, along with standard productivity software like MS Office. The environment emphasizes collaboration with cross-functional teams, structured documentation practices, and adherence to aerospace industry standards for safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance.

This is a Contract position based out of Wichita, KS.

The pay range for this position is $80.00 - $109.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Wichita,KS.

This position is anticipated to close on May 15, 2026.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:

• Hiring diverse talent
• Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
• Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
• Ensuring growth opportunities for our people

Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we’ve helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000 extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.

Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.

Salary : $80 - $109