Aircraft Modifications & Certification
An established aerospace engineering organisation is seeking a Principal Stress Engineer to join its engineering team, supporting the certification of large aircraft modifications. The role focuses on demonstrating compliance with applicable regulatory and customer requirements in line with a Design Organisation Handbook (DOH).
Locations: Frimley
The Role
Reporting to the Structures Engineering Manager, you will work closely with a global engineering team across multiple time zones. You will support active and upcoming aircraft modification programmes by identifying technical requirements, developing compliant solutions, and leading certification activities.
You will act as a technical focal point for structures, stress, and certification, contributing to high‑profile large aircraft modification projects from concept through embodiment.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead certification activities to ensure compliance with applicable design, regulatory, and customer requirements
- Identify technical requirements and develop compliant engineering solutions for active and future projects
- Compile, review, and approve structural substantiation documentation for:
- New seating installations
- Cabin monuments and furniture (galleys, lavatories, class dividers, first‑class suites, VVIP furnishings)
- Cabin interior changes (LOPAs, PSU layouts, LRU installations)
- Primary structure modifications, including antenna installations and fuselage changes
- Perform and review classic stress analysis hand calculations and finite element analysis
- Act as a technical representative during customer meetings such as ITCM, PDR, CDR, and FAI
- Provide on‑site engineering support to customers during the aircraft embodiment phase when required
- Promote a strong engineering and compliance culture across the organisation
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Aeronautical, or Mechanical Engineering
Skills & Experience
- Current or recent experience within the aerospace industry, ideally in an EASA Part 21J Design Organisation (or equivalent)
- Strong knowledge of aircraft interior and/or primary structure modification practices and interfaces
- Proficiency in:
- Classical stress analysis and hand calculations
- Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
- Technical report writing and compliance documentation
- Working knowledge of EASA regulatory and airworthiness requirements, including CS‑25, (E)TSO, JAR‑25, and FAR 25 (structures/stress related)
- Experience with aircraft interior reconfiguration and primary/secondary aircraft structures
- High attention to detail and strong professional integrity
- Ability to manage multiple programmes with varying priorities
- Flexible, organised, and able to adapt to changing project demands
About You
- A person of integrity who values trust, honesty, and respect
- Comfortable working in a collaborative, global engineering environment
- Willing to share knowledge and openly acknowledge limitations
- Adaptable, resilient, and motivated by high standards and ambitious goals
