Explicit Dynamic Bird-Strike Analysis Engineer – Altair Radioss

• Perform explicit dynamic bird-strike analysis using Altair Radioss for aircraft structural components and assemblies.
• Conduct structural integrity assessments of primary and secondary aircraft structures subjected to bird impact and other high-rate dynamic loading.
• Develop and execute detailed nonlinear finite element models including:
  • CFRP composite structures
  • Metallic airframe structures
  • Polycarbonate transparencies and windshields
  • Hybrid composite/metallic assemblies
  • Fasteners, joints and relevant interfaces
• Define appropriate material models, failure criteria, contact definitions, boundary conditions and impact scenarios for bird-strike simulations.
• Model bird impact using suitable bird material/constitutive representations, including appropriate SPH or equivalent approaches where applicable.
• Perform composite damage and failure assessment, including relevant intralaminar and interlaminar failure mechanisms.
• Evaluate structural response including:
  • Global deformation
  • Local damage and penetration
  • Material failure
  • Delamination
  • Cracking/fracture
  • Energy absorption
  • Residual structural integrity
• Assess polycarbonate transparency/windshield response, including deformation, cracking, penetration and containment behaviour under impact.
• Perform model setup, mesh sensitivity studies, correlation and verification activities to establish confidence in simulation results.
• Post-process and interpret large volumes of explicit dynamic simulation data and identify critical failure modes.
• Correlate simulation results with test data and/or physical bird-strike test results where available.
• Prepare detailed engineering reports documenting assumptions, methodology, model validation, results, failure mechanisms and conclusions.
• Support design substantiation and certification activities through technically robust analysis and engineering justification.
• Work closely with structural design, materials & processes, testing and certification teams to develop practical solutions to bird-strike-related structural challenges.
• Provide technical recommendations for design modifications, material selection, reinforcement and structural optimization.
• Contribute to development and improvement of bird-strike analysis methodologies, modelling standards and best practices.

• Strong hands-on experience in explicit nonlinear dynamic FEA.
• Mandatory experience with Altair Radioss for impact/dynamic analysis.
• Good understanding of:
  • Explicit time integration and numerical stability
  • Nonlinear material behaviour
  • Large deformation and high strain-rate effects
  • Contact and impact mechanics
  • Energy balance and numerical quality checks
  • Failure and damage modelling
• Experience in aerospace structural analysis, particularly aircraft primary and/or secondary structures.
• Strong understanding of CFRP composite mechanics and failure behaviour.
• Experience in modelling composite damage/failure and delamination is highly desirable.
• Experience with polycarbonate transparencies, aircraft windows or windshields and impact behaviour is highly desirable.
• Ability to interpret and troubleshoot explicit dynamic simulation issues such as:
  • Negative/unstable energy behaviour
  • Excessive element distortion
  • Hourglass energy
  • Contact instability
  • Mass scaling
  • Time-step limitations
  • Nonphysical numerical effects
• Familiarity with pre- and post-processing tools such as HyperMesh/HyperView is preferred.
• Knowledge of other FEA tools such as Nastran, Abaqus or LS-DYNA is an advantage.
• Strong understanding of aerospace structural substantiation and engineering documentation.

• Minimum 3 years of relevant industry experience in structural FEA / explicit dynamics.
• Candidates with 3–8 years of experience in aerospace impact analysis, bird-strike analysis or related explicit dynamic applications are preferred.
• Direct experience with aircraft structures, composite structures or aircraft transparencies will be strongly preferred.

• B.Tech / M.Tech in Mechanical, Aerospace, Aeronautical or related Engineering discipline.

• Bird-strike certification and regulatory requirements, particularly FAA/EASA bird-impact requirements, is highly desirable.
• Experience with 14 CFR / CS-25 bird-strike requirements and associated certification evidence.
• Familiarity with aerospace test standards and correlation of simulation with physical impact testing.
• Experience with SPH-based bird modelling or equivalent high-fidelity impact modelling techniques.
• Experience with scripting/automation using Python, MATLAB or similar tools for pre/post-processing and engineering workflow automation.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to independently investigate complex structural failure mechanisms.
• Good technical communication and engineering report-writing skills.
• Ability to work effectively with geographically distributed engineering and customer teams.
• Strong attention to modelling assumptions, numerical quality and engineering judgement.
• Ability to take ownership of analysis activities from model development through technical conclusion and certification support.

The successful candidate will be expected to deliver:

• High-quality Radioss explicit dynamic bird-strike FE models
• Verified and technically justified simulation methodologies
• Structural damage/failure assessments for CFRP and metallic airframe structures
• Impact response assessments for polycarbonate transparencies/windshields
• Correlation and validation studies against test data
• Engineering substantiation reports and certification evidence
• Design recommendations based on quantified structural response and failure mechanisms

A strong candidate would be an aerospace structural analyst with hands-on Radioss experience, capable of moving beyond simply running simulations to understanding the physics of bird impact, predicting structural damage/failure, validating the model and making an engineering judgement on structural integrity.

Position Overview We are looking for an experienced Structural Analysis Engineer with hands-on expertise in explicit dynamic finite element analysis and bird-strike simulation using Altair Radioss. The role involves performing structural integrity assessments of aircraft primary and secondary structures, with particular emphasis on CFRP composite airframe structures and polycarbonate transparencies/windshields. The engineer will be responsible for developing and executing high-fidelity nonlinear simulations, assessing structural response under bird-impact loading, interpreting failure mechanisms, and providing engineering recommendations to demonstrate structural integrity and compliance with applicable aerospace requirements.