Senior Stress FEA Engineer

Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE); England; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job description

Senior Stress FEA Engineer

Location: RG7 4PR, located between Reading and Basingstoke, with free onsite parking.

Due to the classified nature of the work involved, there are limited opportunities to work from home in this role. It is anticipated that the successful candidate will spend the majority of their time working on site at AWE Aldermaston.

Package: £48,000 - £75,000 (depending on your suitability, qualifications, and level of experience).

A relocation package may be available (terms and conditions apply).

Working pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight. We will consider flexible working requests so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know your preferred working pattern on your application.

Let us introduce the role:

AWE is currently looking for a Senior Stress FEA Engineer to join the Engineering Analysis Team.

The Engineering Analysis Team is a world-class, multi-disciplinary team of thermal, structural and blast analysis engineers that provide modelling and simulation expertise to AWE.

The team works on interesting and challenging projects at all stages of the weapon's life cycle - from its design and manufacture to its transport, operation, and decommissioning. This work underpins continuous-at-sea-deterrence (CASD) and contributes to the security of the nation.

Who are we looking for?

We do need you to have the following:

1. A strong degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline. Equivalent relevant experience will also be considered.

2. Experience with using any 2D & 3D finite element analysis (FEA) tools (such as ANSYS, Abaqus, LS-DYNA) to solve structural and/or thermal engineering problems.

Whilst not to be considered a tick list, we'd like you to have experience in some of the following:

1. Complex structural analysis problems, e.g. non-linear geometry/materials, transient explicit dynamics or frequency-domain analysis (modal, harmonic, shock response).

2. Thermal analysis problems, such as transient or steady-state thermal analysis.

3. Performing model verification and validation (V&V) activities such as mesh convergence studies, comparison to hand-calculations and experimental tests.

4. Use of Linux-based high-performance computing (HPC) clusters to solve large finite element models.

5. Python scripting for automating pre-/post-processing of finite element models and for analysis workflow efficiency.

6. Providing technical leadership and leading outreach initiatives with academia and industrial partners.

You'll need to have the ability to work calmly and constructively in a priority changing environment and be able to manage your own workload. You will also have initiative, enthusiasm, a flexible approach, and ability to work to tight deadlines.

Some reasons we think you'll love it here:

AWE has a wide range of benefits to suit you. These include:

1. 9-day working fortnight - meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.

2. Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions).

3. Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave - 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave - 4 Weeks Full Pay.

4. Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.

5. Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.

6. Life Assurance (4 x annual salary).

7. Discounts - access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.

8. Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.

The 'Working at AWE' page on our website is where you can find full details in the 'AWE Benefits Guide'.