Structures Design and Certification Engineer

Swscertification; Port Talbot; On-site; GBP 80,000 - GBP 100,000; Full time

Job description

Structures Design and Certification Engineer - Panel 3 (Design & Technical Check Led)

Working Pattern: Office-based preferred (5 days per week), with flexibility for hybrid and/or remote arrangements by agreement.

Regulatory Context: Part 21 Design Organisation (UK CAA / EASA aligned).

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Structures Engineer aligned to UK CAA / EASA Panel 3 (Structures Panel)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 position also requires a solid understanding of the Compliance Verification Engineer (CVE) function and its regulatory purpose.

While existing CVE authorisation is highly desirable, it is not an immediate requirement. However, the successful candidate will be expected to progress to CVE status in the near term, supported by the organisation, in order to meet the evolving needs of the business.

This role is not intended for compliance-only or verification-focused profiles. CVE responsibilities are expected to be built upon a strong foundation of hands‑on aircraft structural design experience, rather than forming the primary focus of the position.

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, compliant with the applicable certification basis (e.g. CS-23 / CS-25 / CS-27 / CS-29, as applicable).
• 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 suitable for CVE findings.
• Work towards formal CVE authorisation (Structures) in the near term, in line with business needs and regulatory expectations.
• Engage effectively with internal airworthiness functions and, where required, with the regulators.
• 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.
• Previous experience within an approved Design Organisation (Part 21 DOA or equivalent i.e. ADOA, TC-H, Regulator etc).
• 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,
  • Design assurance and compliance processes.
• Awareness of the CVE function, with the capability and willingness to assume CVE responsibilities following a short familiarisation and authorisation period.
• Existing CVE authorisation (Structures) within a Part 21 Design Organisation, supported by demonstrable prior aircraft structural design ownership.
• Experience engaging with regulators 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.

Competitive Salary and Benefits Package

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.