Principal Engineer - DA Mech: Airframe (Structures) (Aerospace)

TL;DR

Principal Engineer - DA Mech: Airframe (Structures) (Aerospace): Leading the structural design and validation of UAV airframes with an accent on airworthiness compliance, material optimization, and high-impact design authority. Focus on guiding finite element analysis (FEA), overseeing composite/alloy selection, and translating conceptual layouts into production-ready solutions.

Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (Onsite)

Company

hirify.global is a leading advanced technology group in the UAE, with ADASI focusing on autonomous systems and UAV development.

What you will do

• Act as the design authority for airframe structural components, ensuring compliance with EASA, MIL-STD, or equivalent airworthiness regulations.
• Lead the end-to-end structural design, analysis, and validation of UAV airframes, from conceptual layouts to detailed engineering drawings.
• Optimize performance, weight, and durability through the selection of composites, alloys, and advanced lightweight materials.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams in avionics, propulsion, and systems engineering for seamless integration.
• Guide finite element analysis (FEA) and structural simulations to validate load cases, fatigue life, and crashworthiness.
• Support manufacturing engineering in creating production-ready solutions, including tooling and assembly processes.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline (Master's preferred).
• Minimum 8+ years of experience in aerospace structural design.
• At least 3 years in a design authority or lead engineering role.
• Proficiency in CATIA V5/V6 or equivalent CAD tools.
• Strong expertise in FEA tools such as ANSYS, NASTRAN, or Abaqus.
• Deep understanding of composite and metallic structures in aerospace applications and knowledge of airworthiness standards.

Nice to have

• Chartered Engineer (CEng) or Professional Engineer (PE) status.
• Certification in Aircraft Structural Design or Airworthiness Engineering.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.