Structures Design and Certification Engineer

Structures and Mechanical Design EngineerLocation: Port Talbot, South Wales.Working Pattern: Office-based preferred (5 days per week), with flexibility for hybrid and/or remote arrangements by agreement.Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Structures Engineer to support aircraft-level design activities within a Part 21 Design Organisation.

This is a design-led role, with primary responsibility for aircraft structural design and independent technical checking.

The successful candidate will be expected to progress to Compliance Verification Engineer (CVE) status, supported by the organisation, in order to meet the evolving needs of the business.

Key Responsibilities'

Structural Design:

• Act as a design owner for aircraft structural solutions, taking accountability from initial concept through detailed design, substantiation, and delivery.

• Produce aircraft-level structural design solutions and subsequent reports.

• Develop and support structural substantiation inputs, including:

• Strength, stiffness, fatigue, and damage tolerance considerations,
• Durability and continued airworthiness aspects,
• Installation and interface design for primary and secondary structures.

• Support new design, modification, and repair activities across metallic and/or composite structures.

• Interface effectively with other engineering disciplines (loads, stress, systems, interiors, manufacturing, and airworthiness) to deliver integrated and certifiable design solutions.

• Apply sound engineering judgement derived from first-hand design experience, rather than solely from compliance or review activity.

Technical Checking

• Perform independent technical checking of structural design data, including:

• Drawings and models
• Substantiation and stress reports
• Installation instructions and supporting engineering data

• Ensure design outputs are technically robust, internally consistent, and compliant with applicable requirements, assumptions, and approved methods.

• Provide clear, proportionate, and constructive technical challenge in line with Design Assurance System principles.

Compliance & CVE Development

• Demonstrate a clear understanding of the CVE role, grounded in prior experience producing and owning structural design data within a Design Organisation.

• Support compliance activities by delivering technically sound design and substantiation data.

• Work towards formal CVE authorisation (Structures) in line with business needs and regulatory expectations.

• CVE responsibilities are expected to develop as an extension of demonstrated design and technical checking capability, not as a standalone compliance function.

Essential Experience & Qualifications

• Degree (or equivalent experience) in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.

• Demonstrable aircraft-level structural design experience, beyond isolated component or academic work.

• Strong background in aircraft level structural design and independent technical checking.

• Evidence of hands-on design responsibility, including production of drawings, models, and/or substantiation data used to support certification or approval.

• Working knowledge of:

• Certification specifications and airworthiness principles,
• Structural substantiation methodologies,
• Design assurance and compliance processes.

• Awareness of the CVE function, with the capability and willingness to assume CVE responsibilities following a familiarisation and authorisation period.

Desirable Experience

• Existing CVE authorisation (Structures) within a Part 21 Design Organisation, supported by demonstrable prior aircraft structural design ownership.

• Experience engaging with the UK CAA and/or EASA on compliance or approval activities.

• Experience across multiple aircraft types or certification bases.

• Knowledge of fatigue, damage tolerance, composite structures, and in-service modification activity.

• Experience mentoring or technically supporting developing engineers.

Working Location & Flexibility

The preferred working arrangement is office-based in Port Talbot, South Wales, five days per week, to support collaboration, integration, and effective design oversight.

We recognise that hybrid and remote working are established industry norms, and pragmatic flexibility may be considered for the right candidate, subject to regulatory, security, and business requirements.