Structural Engineer UAV H/F

Responsibilities

• ● ABOUT ALTA ARES
• ● Alta Ares is an air defense Neoprime. We build AI-guided interceptors to counter drones and cruise missiles, along with the software platform that powers them.
• ● Our customers are NATO-aligned militaries and defense institutions, and our systems are regularly deployed during live exercises and operational demonstrations across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
• ● ROLE & Missions:
• ● STRUCTURAL DESIGN & ANALYSIS
• ● Design and analyze the primary and secondary composite structures of our interceptor airframes (fuselage, wings/control surfaces, internal load-bearing components)
• ● Perform structural and stress analysis combining hand calculations and finite element analysis (FEA) to justify margins under static, dynamic, and high-acceleration loads
• ● Define and document load paths, free-body diagrams, and failure modes for all major structural elements
• ● Own composite laminate design, layup schedules, and bonding/joining strategies for carbon fiber structures
• ● WEIGHT & PERFORMANCE OPTIMIZATION
• ● Aggressively optimize structural weight without compromising strength, given the platform's speed and maneuverability requirements
• ● Work with Aerodynamics and Propulsion teams to balance structural mass, CG, and vibration constraints against flight performance targets
• ● Evaluate design trade-offs between composite and metallic/CNC solutions where each makes sense
• ● TESTING & VALIDATION
• ● Support structural, vibration, shock, and environmental qualification testing of airframe components and subassemblies
• ● Analyze test and flight data to identify failure modes, including:
• ● Fatigue and fracture
• ● Vibration-induced damage
• ● Support fast structural repairs and troubleshooting during flight test campaigns