Aerostructure Designer

Aerostructure (Airframe) Designer - Missionized Aircraft
The Aerostructure Designer focuses on the design, integration, and modification of aircraft primary and secondary structures to support the conversion of green (baseline) aircraft into missionized configurations. The successful candidate will develop detailed design solutions, interface with multidisciplinary teams, and ensure that all airframe modifications meet structural integrity, manufacturability, and certification requirements.
Key Responsibilities:
Design and develop structural modifications and installations for mission equipment, antennas, sensors, and payload systems
Create and update 3D models, assemblies, and detailed drawings using CATIA V5/V6, ensuring adherence to aerospace standards and best practices
Integrate mission systems or structural modifications into the aircraft primary structure while maintaining load paths, weight balance, and structural efficiency
Perform preliminary structural analyses and coordinate with stress and loads teams to validate design integrity
Develop conceptual and detailed design layouts for fuselage, wing, empennage, and internal structure modifications
Ensure all designs comply with airworthiness, certification, and customer-specific requirements
Collaborate with manufacturing, methods, and installation teams to ensure designs are producible, maintainable, and cost-effective
Support design reviews, configuration control, and engineering change management activities
Interface with suppliers and partners for the development and validation of mission-specific structural components
Provide on-site engineering support during aircraft modification and installation phases


Requirements

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Structural Engineering
8-10+ years of experience in airframe design for commercial or military aircraft
15,000-20,000 hours of CATIA (V5 or V6) experience in part, product, and assembly design
Strong understanding of aircraft primary structures, load paths, joints, and material behaviors (metallic and composite)
Proven ability to design and integrate missionized systems into existing aircraft configurations
Familiarity with aircraft certification standards (FAR/CS 23, 25, or military equivalents)
Excellent knowledge of GD&T, configuration management, and PLM environments (e.g., ENOVIA, SmarTeam)
Strong teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience with special mission or ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) aircraft modifications
Familiarity with composite structure design and integration
Previous involvement in supplemental type certificate (STC) programs or modification centers
Experience working in close collaboration with OEMs and mission system integrators
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