Senior Structures Research Engineer

Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation is a world leader in the design and manufacture of advanced helicopters for commercial, industrial and military uses. Sikorsky helicopters are used by all five branches of the United States armed forces, along with military services and commercial operators in more than 40 nations. Based in Stratford, Connecticut, USA, Sikorsky has outlying facilities in other Connecticut locations as well as in Florida and Alabama.

As a Senior Structures Engineer, the candidate will be responsible for the development and application of advanced analysis tools to predict structural performance of rotorcraft components. The engineer will provide project and technical leadership in the application of fatigue and damage tolerance methods for rotorcraft design, certification, and maintainability. This position will require close coordination of research tasks and results with FAA, Army, Navy, and University experts.

The candidate will lead research projects in the development of metallic fatigue and fracture life prediction methods for rotorcraft structures. This involves performing detailed finite element analysis, defining low cycle/high cycle loading, establishing crack growth models, reviewing crack growth test data, and correlating with component certification testing. Damage Tolerance assessment procedures will be established and maintained based on crack growth codes in production engineering. The candidate will develop and apply structural analyses in determination of component reliability using a probabilistic and prognosis framework. This involves assisting junior engineers in the development of analysis approaches and providing solutions to emerging structures issues. Further responsibilities include managing the metallic structures R&D focus area, supporting proposal efforts (both internal and external) and coordinating with engineering discipline centers to drive technology insertion into Sikorsky practices and products.


M.S. or PhD. in Aerospace Engineering or Mechanical Engineering with focus on structures.

10+ years of structures R&D experience with background in finite element modeling, structural analysis, metallic damage tolerance, crack growth modeling, probabilistic methods, and material testing.

Skills
- Comprehensive knowledge of state-of-the-art analysis tools including CATIA V5, ANSYS, NASTRAN, ABAQUS, etc.
- Fundamental knowledge of fracture mechanics and crack growth codes such as NASGRO, FASTRAN, AFGROW, BEASY, FRANC3D, etc.
- Demonstrated proficiency in detailed finite element modeling using non-linear solution methods involving contact, large displacement and non-linear material properties.
- Experience in testing composite and metallic aerospace materials
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.


Duties will be performed in Stratford CT with some travel.

United Technologies Corporation is An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
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