Lead Engineer Fatigue & Damage Tolerance (d/f/m)

Lead Engineer Fatigue & Damage Tolerance (d/f/m)

Hamburg

About us

Airbus pioneers sustainable aerospace for a safe and united world. The Company constantly innovates to provide efficient and technologically-advanced solutions in aerospace, defence, and connected services. In commercial aircraft, Airbus offers modern and fuel‑efficient airliners and associated services. Airbus is also a European leader in defence and security and one of the world’s leading space businesses. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions and services worldwide.

Become part of a pioneering team with a strong identity and a shared commitment to delivering best‑in‑class stress solutions!

Join the Fuselage Structure Analysis team in Hamburg as a technical anchor in our newly integrated "One Fuselage" domain. As the Lead Engineer Fatigue & Damage Tolerance (F&DT) for Primary Structure , you will be a custodian of structural integrity, driving the F&DT justification for critical fuselage components across the entire aircraft lifecycle—from next‑generation design and certification to manufacturing and global fleet support.

Reporting to the Head of F&DT Primary Structures, you will lead the delivery of mission‑critical stress engineering data and shape the departmental strategy for innovation. This is a pivotal role where you will collaborate across a high‑level network (including the Airframe and Digital Airframe) to integrate advanced simulations and structural health strategies. We are looking for a pioneering engineer driven by a "People First" spirit to help us create the future of aerospace structural excellence.

You will be working at the largest production site for civil aircraft situated in Hamburg. Its location on the southern banks of the river Elbe includes the option to commute by ferry. Experience the special flair of Hamburg in your spare time where vibrant cosmopolitan culture meets nautic legacy.

• Attractive salary and special payments
• 30 days paid vacation and extra days‑off for special occasions
• Excellent upskilling opportunities and great international, group wide development prospects
• Special benefits: employer‑funded pension, employee stock options, discounted car leasing, special conditions for insurances, transportation subsidy, employee benefits at cooperating companies
• On‑site‑facilities: Kindergarten close to the site, medical officer for check‑ups and other health‑related services, canteen and cafeteria
• Compatibility of family & work (job sharing, part‑time models, flexible working hours, individual timeout)
• Working in a diverse environment, with more than 140 nationalities, where every voice is heard

Your tasks and responsibilities

• Lead Advanced Structural Analysis: Perform comprehensive fatigue and damage tolerance evaluations, including crack initiation and growth predictions using analytical methods and Finite Element Analysis tools
• Define Airworthiness & Maintenance Criteria: Establish damage tolerance philosophies, including allowable damage limits, inspection thresholds, and repeat intervals to ensure long‑term structural integrity
• Oversee Structural Testing: Plan and analyze fatigue tests across all levels—from material coupons to full‑scale aircraft components—validating theoretical models with real‑world data
• Drive Cross‑Functional Certification: Collaborate with Design, Materials, and Stress teams to integrate F&DT requirements into the design phase, ensuring full compliance with regulatory airworthiness standards
• Support Fleet In‑Service Solutions: Investigate structural failures and anomalies to determine root causes, while developing and validating effective repair schemes and service bulletins
• Manage Technical Project Deliverables: Define technical scopes, workload sizing, and lead times, ensuring high‑quality inputs and the mitigation of technical risks/opportunities
• Strategic Reporting & Governance: Present progress and technical findings in steering ceremonies, providing clear clarification of assumptions and interdependencies to stakeholders
• Continuous Innovation & Method Improvement: Stay at the forefront of industry advancements to improve internal analysis tools, structural health monitoring strategies, and airworthiness limitation frameworks
• In essence, Lead Engineers plan, structure, and deliver technical outputs for their area in Tim Cost and Quality. They guide colleagues and provide technical expertise, supported by senior team members

Desired skills and qualifications

• Master's degree / Diploma in Engineering or similar qualifications
• Several years of experience in Fatigue & Damage Tolerance and associated Process, Methods & Tools
• Preferred experience in fuselage engineering development readiness to enter the path to receive a signature delegation (approver/authorizer) for F&DT fuselage perimeter
• Good communication skills and ability to work within an international team
• Experience in technically leading employees
• Fluency in English is mandatory, German is appreciated

Not a 100% match? No worries! Airbus supports your personal growth with customized development solutions.

This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth

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Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief.

At Airbus, we support you to work, connect and collaborate more easily and flexibly. Wherever possible, we foster flexible working arrangements to stimulate innovative thinking.