Principal Stress Engineer-FEM

Security Clearance: you will be subject to BPSS and Export Control checks (including a criminal record check).

Travel Required:

Occasional travel within the UK and internationally.

Location:

Belfast.

Grade: L2.

Type:
Full‑time, on site.

• Financial Reward:
  Competitive salary, annual profit share, contributory pension, share options.
• Work / Life Balance: 36‑hour week, flexible working around core hours and Friday afternoons off.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Principal Stress Engineer (FEM) to join Airbus Belfast. In this highly impactful role you will become a key leader within the Stress Team in the A220 Wing Engineering community, guiding a dynamic group responsible for finite‑element (FE) loads strategy and enablement. You will be empowered to make pivotal technical judgments affecting safety, certification, and performance, while spearheading the development of innovative digital solutions to solve complex challenges in a multifunctional aerospace environment.

• Lead FEM Strategy & Operations:
  Act as the technical focal point for all A220 FEM activities, leading the development of FE models and coordinating the Integrated Product Development Team (IPDT) to meet critical programme outputs.
• Optimize Design Solutions:
  Analyse and validate FE and stress data to propose highly optimised design solutions that balance weight, cost, performance, and manufacturing requirements.
• Ensure Certification & Compliance:
  Guarantee strict adherence to applicable airworthiness regulations (e.g. FAA/EASA) and Airbus A220 design principles, methods, and tooling philosophies.
• Drive Financial Performance:
  Manage the total Programme Estimate at Completion (EAC) during product development, tracking budgets and analysing performance metrics to ensure cost efficiency.
• Champion Digital Innovation:
  Deliver new digital modelling solutions and continuously improve processes by challenging the status‑quo to optimise wing structure enablement.

• A minimum of a BSc/BEng degree with at least 5 years of relevant management/professional experience, OR an engineering‑related HNC with a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience.
• You must hold delegated authority for FEM approval or possess a valid A220/C‑series signatory check.
• Extensive hands‑on experience in the development, analysis, and testing of aircraft aero‑structures, specifically the idealisation of wing components using FEM tools (Hyperworks, Hypermesh, and MSC Nastran/Patran).
• A minimum of 3 years of project‑management experience in a multi‑disciplined environment, demonstrating a proven ability to resolve cross‑functional conflicts and foster a strong, collaborative team spirit.

• Active membership of a recognised professional engineering institution.
• Proven experience in leading structural aero‑thermal design and designing for high‑temperature operations.
• Practical knowledge and working experience with UNIX‑based platforms.
• Previous experience deputising for senior management in technical, certification, and overarching management matters.

We employ people from all sections of the community and are committed to the appointment of the best candidate based upon the merit principle alone. In pursuit of our equal opportunities program, we would particularly welcome more applications from Catholics and females, as these groups are currently under‑represented in our workforce.

Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief.

Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process.