Principal Mechanical Engineer - Loads / Stress

External Job Description

Position - Principal Mechanical Engineer - Loads / Stress 

Entity :  ADASI

Department -Engineering Services

Location- Abu Dhabi

Key Responsibiities-

•Develop aircraft-level loads for UAV systems, including: Maneuver loads (limit and ultimate cases) ,Gust and turbulence loads (where applicable) ,Ground loads (landing, taxi, handling, transportation) ,Propulsion and system-induced loads (thrust, inertia, vibration drivers) Payload and mission-dependent loads 

•Translate mission profiles and operational scenarios into design loads, working closely with Flight Mechanics, Aerodynamics, Systems, and Test teams.

•Define load cases, combinations, and envelopes, ensuring: Internal consistency across disciplines, Traceability to assumptions and mission definitions ,Practical usability by stress and design teams 

•Establish and document loads methodologies, including: Assumptions and simplifications appropriate for UAV development ,Use of empirical data, hand methods, and analytical models , Clear definition of validity ranges and limitations  

•Perform analytical and numerical loads analysis, using- First-principles calculations (free-body diagrams, inertia relief, load paths)  Simplified models (beam models, lumped masses)FEM (primarily for load extraction and distribution, not detailed stress sizing) 

•Provide load inputs to stress, design, and systems teams, including-Section loads, interface loads, and component-level loads ,Time histories or envelopes when required ,Clear definition of coordinate systems and reference conditions 

•Support multidisciplinary integration, ensuring loads are aligned with: Mass properties and CG evolution, Control laws and flight envelope assumptions ,Structural layouts and load paths 

•Contribute to test definition and correlation, including: Ground and flight test instrumentation strategies (strain gauges, accelerometers)  Back-calculation of loads from test data ,Updating models and assumptions based on test evidence  

•Act as a situational technical leader by driving resolution of ambiguous or conflicting inputs ,Challenging unrealistic assumptions ,Providing technically sound direction during design reviews and critical decisions 

•Continuously improve engineering practices, contributing to: Loads process definition and refinement  templates, calculation methods, and internal guidelines , Knowledge sharing across programs

Educational Background:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering (Master’s or PhD preferred)

Professional Experience:

• Strong understanding of aircraft loads development, including maneuver, gust, and ground loads
• Ability to translate real-world missions into engineering load cases, avoiding over-idealization
• Solid grasp of:
        Rigid-body dynamics and inertia effects 
        Load paths and structural interaction 
•Basic aeroelastic considerations (at least at conceptual level) 
• Experience with: Analytical tools (Excel, Python, MATLAB or similar) FEM tools (ANSYS, NASTRAN, Abaqus) for load extraction and distribution 
• Comfortable working with incomplete data, making justified engineering assumptions
Standards & Compliance
• Familiarity with aerospace standards (EASA, FAA, MIL-STD) as guidance frameworks, with the ability to scale and adapt them to UAV and non-certified platforms

Preferred Certifications
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) or Professional Engineer (PE) (nice to have)
• Experience contributing to internal methods, tools, or engineering processes

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