Damage Tolerance & Fatigue Engineer

Damage Tolerance & Fatigue Engineer required to work for a leading aerospace engineering, certification, and aircraft modification organisation.

This is an excellent opportunity based in Gravenhurst, Ontario, joining a multidisciplinary engineering team developing and certifying modifications for fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. The successful candidate will work on structural substantiation, certification, fatigue analysis, and damage tolerance assessments supporting aircraft modification programmes from concept through approval. [iaero.ca], [iaero.ca]

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will work as a Damage Tolerance & Fatigue Engineer, performing various tasks including:

  • Conducting damage tolerance and fatigue analyses for aircraft modifications and structural changes.
  • Performing crack growth, fatigue life, and fracture mechanics assessments for aircraft structures.
  • Producing structural substantiation reports to support certification activities.
  • Supporting STC, DAO, and regulatory approval programmes.
  • Evaluating the structural impact of mission equipment, avionics installations, interiors, sensor systems, and special mission modifications.
  • Developing inspection requirements, continued airworthiness recommendations, and structural limitations.
  • Performing hand calculations and finite element analysis to support structural designs.
  • Reviewing OEM structural manuals, certification data, and engineering documentation.
  • Supporting static, fatigue, and load testing programmes.
  • Working closely with Structures, Design, Manufacturing, Certification, and Systems Engineering teams.
  • Investigating structural findings, repairs, and service-related damage issues.
  • Participating in design reviews and providing technical guidance throughout the certification process.

Mandatory Requirements

  • Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering, or related discipline.
  • Previous experience performing Damage Tolerance Analysis (DTA) and fatigue assessments within the aerospace industry.
  • Strong knowledge of fracture mechanics, fatigue life prediction, crack propagation, and structural integrity principles.
  • Experience supporting aircraft structural modification or certification programmes.
  • Familiarity with Transport Canada, FAA, or EASA airworthiness requirements.
  • Experience preparing structural substantiation and certification documentation.
  • Ability to perform structural calculations and engineering analysis independently.
  • Strong technical report writing and communication skills.
  • Eligible to work in Canada.

Desirable Requirements

  • Experience with STC development and certification projects.
  • Previous experience within a Design Approval Organization (DAO), aircraft OEM, engineering consultancy, or aircraft modification environment.
  • Familiarity with AFGROW, NASGRO, ANSYS, Nastran, Patran, or similar analysis tools.
  • Experience supporting both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft.
  • Knowledge of metallic and composite aircraft structures.
  • Experience with special mission aircraft modifications.
  • Understanding of structural testing and certification compliance activities.
  • Knowledge of Transport Canada certification processes.

Additional Information

  • Full-time permanent position.
  • Based in Gravenhurst, Ontario.
  • Opportunity to work on a wide variety of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft programmes.
  • Exposure to aircraft modification, certification, manufacturing, and testing activities.
  • Collaborative multidisciplinary engineering environment.
  • Competitive salary and benefits package.
  • Excellent opportunity for professional development and long-term career growth.