Structures Engineer - Airworthiness Certification

Structures Engineer – Airworthiness CertificationPosition Summary:The Structures Engineer – Airworthiness Certification is responsible for the structural substantiation and certification evidence supporting airworthiness of an unmanned aircraft system (UAS). This includes loads analysis, strength and fatigue/damage tolerance substantiation, structural dynamics, and coordination of static and fatigue test programs to satisfy the structures criteria.Core Responsibilities:Develop and execute the structural certification plan, defining methods of compliance for each applicable structures criterion in the airworthiness compliance matrixPerform and/or oversee loads analysis (flight loads, ground loads, landing gear loads, gust/turbulence) to establish the structural design envelopeDevelop strength substantiation (static strength margins of safety) using analysis, test, or a combination, per the certification basisDevelop fatigue and damage tolerance substantiation, including safe-life or damage-tolerant design approaches, to establish airframe service life and inspection intervalsPlan, coordinate, and witness structural test programs (static test, fatigue test, ground vibration test/GVT) and correlate test results against analytical predictionsAddress structural dynamics requirements, including flutter/aeroelastic stability, vibration, and landing gear shimmy as applicableCoordinate with materials/processes, manufacturing, and quality engineering to substantiate critical material properties, key characteristics, and NDI accept/reject criteriaSupport weight and balance substantiation and its interaction with structural marginsMaintain structural certification evidence packages and traceability (e.g., DOORS or similar RM tool) linking requirements, analysis, test evidence, and closureInterface with the certifying authority's structures technical area expert and support airworthiness board reviews for structures-related findingsSupport failure investigations and corrective action for structural anomalies discovered during test or fielded operationRequired Qualifications:B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field (M.S. preferred)US Citizenship5+ years structural engineering experience in aircraft or aerospace structures, ideally with 2+ years directly supporting airworthiness/structural certificationWorking knowledge of aircraft structural substantiation methods: static strength, fatigue and damage tolerance, structural dynamics/flutterFamiliarity with MIL-HDBK-516B (or equivalent airworthiness criteria framework) and applicable structures specifications (e.g., MIL-A-8860 series, MIL-STD-1530 damage tolerance/durability requirements)Experience with structural analysis tools (e.g., NASTRAN, ANSYS, or equivalent FEA software)Experience supporting or interpreting static/fatigue structural test programsRequirements management tool experience (DOORS, Cameo, or similar)Preferred / DesirableDirect UAS program experience (Group II–V), particularly composite or hybrid metallic/composite airframe structuresExperience with damage tolerance/durability analysis per MIL-STD-1530 or FAA-equivalent methodsExperience with ground vibration testing (GVT) and flutter/aeroelastic analysisExperience supporting a formal airworthiness board or Flight Release processProfessional Engineer (P.E.) licensePay Range: $150K - $200KCorsair Technical Services is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.