Lead Stress Engineer
804 Technology is currently seeking a Lead Stress Engineer for a contract job opportunity immediately available in Seattle WA. The Principal/Lead Stress Engineer will lead structural stress analysis efforts across aircraft and/or space vehicle programs, with significant responsibility for certification activities and direct coordination with the FAA. The ideal candidate brings deep hand-calculation expertise, strong engineering judgment, and the leadership skills to mentor junior engineers and manage project deliverables. The full job description and my contact information are listed below. If you are interested please respond be sending me your resume and your availability. Thank you in advance for your time.
Brian Smith
C: 314-753-5299
O: 636-928-0330
bsmith@804technology.com
Job Description: Stress Engineer
Salary: $90-$110/hour
Location: Seattle, Washington, 98108, United States
Job Description
We are seeking a Principal/Lead Stress Engineer to join our team in Seattle. This role will lead structural stress analysis efforts across aircraft and/or space vehicle programs, with significant responsibility for certification activities and direct coordination with the FAA. The ideal candidate brings deep hand-calculation expertise, strong engineering judgment, and the leadership skills to mentor junior engineers and manage project deliverables.
In This Role You Will:
• Perform stress, fatigue, and damage tolerance (FDT) analysis on aircraft or space vehicle structures.
• Conduct hand calculations to support design, certification, and substantiation of metallic and composite structures.
• Support Modifications (Mods) and Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs), from initial analysis through certification.
• Support aircraft certification efforts, including direct coordination with the FAA.
• Prepare and present technical substantiation data to the FAA.
• Respond to FAA technical questions and support resolution of compliance findings.
• Support test programs, manufacturing, and certification activities, including coordination across engineering, test, and production teams.
• Develop and improve engineering tools and methods, including FEM-based tools and Excel macros, to increase analysis efficiency and consistency.
• Track analysis tasks and deliverables across assigned projects.
• Lead and mentor junior and mid-level engineers.
• Support project management activities, including scheduling, scope tracking, and coordination across disciplines.
• Perform finite element analysis (FEA) in Femap, including linear, nonlinear, modal, and buckling analysis of metallic and composite structures using both detailed and global finite element models (GFEMs).
Qualifications
Level Requirements (Minimum):
Education
• Bachelor's degree, master's or PhD in aerospace, Mechanical Engineering or Equivalent.
Experience
• 10+ years of experience performing stress, fatigue, and damage tolerance analysis on aircraft or space vehicles (15+ years preferred).
• Strong hand-calculation skills across metallic and composite structures.
• Strong working knowledge of Finite Element Analysis Tools such as Femap or other (Patran, Ansys, Abaqus, ...), including linear, nonlinear, modal, and buckling analysis of both detailed FE models and global finite element models (GFEMs).
• Demonstrated experience supporting aircraft certification programs, including Mods and STCs.
• Direct experience coordinating with the FAA, including preparing/presenting substantiation data and resolving compliance findings.
• Experience supporting test, manufacturing, and certification activities.
• Experience developing engineering tools and methods, FEM-based tools, Excel macros, and Python codes.
• Experience tracking engineering tasks and supporting project execution.
• Experience mentoring or leading other engineers.
Brian Smith
804 Technology
Recruiting Director
c: 314.753.5299
o: 636.928.0330
f: 636.928.0348
bsmith@804Technology.com
www.804Technology.com
www.linkedin.com/company/804-technology
804 Technology is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, age, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or national origin.
Job Location: Seattle, WA
Rate: $90-110/hour
Per Diem: Split
Overtime: Possible
Duration: 9 mos plus
Start Date: ASAP
Input Date: 10/08/2026
Attention: Brian Smith
Address: 5381 HIGHWAY N STE 201
City, State: COTTLEVILLE, MO 63304
Phone: 636/928-0330
Fax Phone: 636/530-3693
Email: bsmith@804technology.com
Website: www.804technology.com
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