Senior Structural Analysis Engineer - Nonlinear FEA | Aluminium Bridge Structures | Onsite Manc

Location: Stockport (South Manchester, UK)

Start: ASAP

Workload: 3 days per week

We are supporting a specialist manufacturer of modular aluminium bridge systems seeking an experienced Structural Analysis Engineer with a strong background in nonlinear finite element analysis.

Target span capability: 52 metres

The objective is to optimise existing aluminium structures to achieve increased span length while simultaneously improving strength and reducing overall weight.

This role is heavily analysis-focused and not a pure CAD design position.

• Perform extensive FEA on welded aluminium bridge structures
• Conduct nonlinear analyses (geometric and material nonlinearity)
• Perform stability and buckling assessments
• Evaluate complex load cases relevant to bridge applications
• Validate simulation results through independent engineering judgement and hand calculations
• Assess manufacturing deviations (e.g. weld defects, dimensional variations) and determine structural acceptability
• Collaborate closely with design, manufacturing and quality teams

• Strong experience in nonlinear FEA
• Solid background in structural mechanics and stability analysis
• Experience with metallic load-bearing structures (aluminium preferred)
• Experience assessing welded structures
• Proficiency in ANSYS, Abaqus, NX Nastran or similar tools
• Ability to independently evaluate structural integrity and make technical decisions

• Pure CAD designers without advanced FEA expertise
• Engineers with only linear FEA experience
• Product development engineers without structural responsibility
• Candidates unwilling to work onsite in Manchester 3 days per week

• 3 days per week onsite in Stockport (UK) is mandatory