Engineer – Structural Analysis (FEA) – MTS-I

Job Context/Purpose

We are looking for a Structural Analysis (FEA) Engineer – Fresher to support UAV airframe structural design, finite element analysis, and structural qualification activities. The role provides hands-on exposure to FEA, composite and metallic structures, structural testing, and aircraft structural analysis using tools such as ANSYS, under the guidance of senior engineers.

Engineer – Structural Analysis (FEA) – MTS-I

 

1. Basic Details

Role: Engineer – Structural Analysis
Function: Structural Modeling
Sub-Function: FEA
Publishing Date: 23 September 2026
Location: Bengaluru, Karnataka

 

2. JOB CONTEXT / PURPOSE

Support the team responsible for airframe structural design, FEA, and structural qualification of UAVs primarily.

This is an entry-level role for a fresh graduate to build hands-on capability in aircraft structures, metallic/composite materials, structural analysis, and FEA using tools such as ANSYS, under the guidance of senior engineers.

 

3. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Functional / Team Responsibilities

• Assist in defining structural requirements, design constraints, and specifications based on project objectives and applicable airworthiness standards.
• Build and idealise finite element models of UAV airframe components and assemblies from CAD geometry, including geometry clean-up, element selection, meshing, joints, connections, contacts, and boundary conditions.
• Perform linear static, buckling, modal, fatigue, and thermal-structural analyses of primary and secondary airframe structures under senior guidance.
• Perform composite laminate definition and analysis, including ply lay-up, failure criteria, inter-laminar checks, and sandwich construction.
• Derive and apply load cases from flight, ground, landing, gust, and manoeuvre conditions; compute margins of safety for critical load cases.
• Validate FEA against classical hand calculations, analytical methods, and available test data; check mesh quality, convergence, and realistic load paths.
• Support structural sizing and weight optimisation through design iterations involving lay-up, thickness, material selection, and joint configuration.
• Support coupon, element, and component-level structural testing, including test article definition, instrumentation plans, and test matrices.
• Support code and SOP development for structural analysis/FEA workflows.
• Stay updated with UAV advancements, emerging technologies, and industry trends through research and continuous learning.

B. Technical Documentation

Prepare high-quality technical documentation for design, analysis, and testing, including:

• Structural design/stress analysis reports with load cases, assumptions, and margins of safety.
• Test matrices and reports.
• Detailed diagrams.
• Material selection and laminate definition/lay-up documents.
• Model documentation covering idealisations, assumptions, load cases, boundary conditions, and result summaries.

C. Additional Functions

• Coordinate with aerodynamics, propulsion, flight, and system engineering teams for inputs/outputs including loads, interfaces, mass budgets, and mounting provisions.
• Support manufacturing/quality teams on composite processing, defect disposition, and repair schemes.
• Support the flight team on structural clearances and post-flight inspection.

 

4. MANAGERIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plan and track own tasks and deliverables against timelines; flag risks and delays early.
• Follow best practices, design standards, and QA processes.
• Maintain traceable records of analysis, inputs, assumptions, and results for team review.

 

5. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

Educational Qualification

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• Specialization in structures, mechanics of solids, and composite materials preferred.

Experience

• Fresher with 0–1 year of experience.
• Internship, academic project, or final-year thesis in aircraft structures, FEA, composite materials, or UAVs preferred.

 

6. TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

UAV Systems

• Fixed-wing, VTOL, and multirotor UAVs.
• Major airframe assemblies including wing, fuselage, empennage, booms, and landing gear.
• Payload and propulsion integration.
• Understanding that system-level choices drive structural loads and interfaces.

Aircraft Structures

• Semi-monocoque structures.
• Spars, ribs, stringers, skins, bulkheads, longerons, joints, and fittings.
• Load paths, shear flow, bending, torsion, buckling, and crippling.

Engineering Mechanics

• Strength of materials.
• Theory of elasticity.
• Structural dynamics and vibration.
• Basics of fatigue, damage tolerance, and fracture.

Aerospace Materials

• Aluminium alloys, steels, titanium, and polymer-matrix composites.
• Carbon/glass fibre, prepreg, sandwich cores, and adhesives.
• Mechanical properties, allowables, and material selection criteria.

Composite Mechanics

• Classical Lamination Theory.
• Ply orientation and lay-up.
• Maximum stress/strain criteria.
• Tsai-Hill and Tsai-Wu criteria.
• Inter-laminar shear.
• Delamination.
• Sandwich structures.

FEA Fundamentals

• 1D, 2D, and 3D element types/formulations.
• Meshing and mesh quality.
• Convergence.
• Boundary conditions and constraints.
• Contacts.
• Material models.
• Result interpretation and sanity-checking.

FEA Tools

• Working knowledge of ANSYS Mechanical/Workbench and ACP for composites.
• Static, buckling, modal, and thermal-structural analysis.
• Exposure to Abaqus, MSC Nastran/Patran, HyperMesh, and Femap is an advantage.

Classical Analysis

• Classical hand calculations to size structures and independently verify FE results.

Manufacturing Awareness

• Composite lay-up and curing.
• Bonding and fastening.
• Sheet-metal forming.
• Machining.
• Additive manufacturing.

Programming / Automation

• Exposure to MATLAB, Python, and ANSYS APDL for automation and post-processing through coursework, projects, or internships.

 

7. BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES

• Excellent problem-solving and analytical thinking.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in structural calculations, analysis, and documentation.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work with multidisciplinary teams.
• Willingness to learn, take direction, and act on feedback.
• Adaptability and flexibility in a fast-paced and evolving UAV environment.

 

8. SPECIFIC TOOL KNOWLEDGE

FEA

• ANSYS Mechanical/Workbench.
• ANSYS ACP.
• Abaqus, MSC Nastran/Patran, HyperMesh, and Femap as an advantage.

Test DAQ / Post-Processing

• Strain gauges.
• Load cells.
• Accelerometers.
• DIC as an advantage.

CAD

• SolidWorks.
• CATIA.
• NX.
• Fusion 360 for geometry creation, clean-up, and defeaturing.

Other Tools

• MATLAB.
• Python.
• MS Excel.
• MS Word.

 

9. UAV-SPECIFIC COMPONENTS

Knowledge/exposure to:

• Control surface actuators.
• Electric propulsion units.
• Landing gear.
• Payload mounts.
• Fastening hardware.
• Other UAV-specific components.

 

10. INTERNAL CONTACTS

Multi-disciplinary Teams and Management
Purpose: Data and requirements exchange
Frequency: Regular

Testing Teams
Purpose: Help identify correct test standards and prepare test matrices
Frequency: Regular