Structural Design & Analysis Engineer

We're Hiring: Structural Design & Analysis Engineer

Full-Time | Core Team

LAT Aerospace | Aircraft

LAT Aerospace is developing next-generation hybrid-electric aircraft that combine advanced aerodynamics, distributed propulsion, and lightweight airframe design. We are looking for a Structural Design & Analysis Engineer to help design, analyze, build, and validate aircraft structures from first principles.

This role sits at the intersection of structural engineering, aerodynamics, manufacturing, and testing. You will be responsible for taking aircraft structures from initial concepts and sizing to flight-ready hardware through rapid design, analysis, prototyping, and validation.

What you'll do

  • Design primary and secondary aircraft structures including wings, fuselage, empennage, landing gear attachments, and propulsion integration.

  • Perform structural sizing using analytical methods and finite element analysis (FEA).

  • Evaluate static strength, stiffness, buckling, fatigue, and structural stability of aircraft components.

  • Optimize structures for weight, manufacturability, cost, and structural efficiency.

  • Develop detailed CAD models, manufacturing drawings, and engineering documentation.

  • Work closely with aerodynamics, propulsion, flight controls, and manufacturing teams to develop integrated structural solutions.

  • Design composite and metallic structures including joints, bonded interfaces, and mechanical fasteners.

  • Develop structural test articles and define validation plans for coupon, subcomponent, and full-scale structural testing.

  • Correlate finite element models with experimental data and continuously improve structural models.

  • Support aircraft assembly, structural integration, ground testing, and flight test campaigns.

  • Perform failure investigations and implement design improvements based on test and flight data.

What we're looking for

  • Strong fundamentals in solid mechanics, aircraft structures, and finite element analysis.

  • Experience working with industry-standard CAD software.

  • Experience with structural analysis tools such as ANSYS, Abaqus, Nastran, OptiStruct, or equivalent.

  • Hands-on experience designing lightweight aerospace structures using metallic and/or composite materials.

  • Experience performing structural sizing, stress analysis, buckling analysis, and fatigue assessments.

  • Familiarity with aerospace manufacturing processes including composite layups, machining, sheet metal fabrication, and bonded or bolted assemblies.

  • Strong understanding of load paths, structural efficiency, and design for manufacturability.

  • Comfortable working with prototype hardware, structural testing, and rapid design iterations.

  • Strong troubleshooting and engineering problem-solving skills.

  • Programming experience in Python or MATLAB for analysis automation is highly preferred.

  • Experience with aircraft, UAV, automotive motorsport, or other lightweight structures is highly preferred.

Why LAT?

  • No hierarchy beyond strength of ideas.

  • Rapid hardware iteration culture.

  • Clean-sheet programs.

  • Own aircraft structures from concept through flight testing.

  • Opportunity to build next-generation aerospace technology from the ground up.