Head of Stress

At Spirit, we don’t just build aircraft structures – we build the future of aviation. At Northern Ireland’s largest aerospace manufacturer, our highly skilled professionals work at the cutting edge of design, manufacturing, integration and after-spanet support. With world-class facilities spanning over 3 million square feet across six locations, we deliver advanced aerostructures – including wings, fuselages, and engine nacelles – for global leaders like Bombardier, Airbus and Rolls-Royce.

Innovation is at the heart of everything we do. Our Belfast operation is a recognised centre of excellence for advanced materials and ultra-light structures, including our unique composites capabilities.

Joining Spirit AeroSystems means being part of an industry leader that values talent, fosters innovation, and offers exceptional career growth.

These opportunities, based at our Belfast site, offer:

• 36 hour working week (half day Friday) 
• Generous holidays
• Defined Contribution Pension Scheme and generous life cover.
• Employee Assistance Program
• Professional development and Opportunity for advancement
• Coaching and mentoring
• Free car parking
• On site Occupational Health Department and Company occupational sick scheme.
• Enhanced maternity pay
• Short term incentive Plan
• Private medical coverage

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

Reporting to the Chief Engineer, you will provide leadership for all Stress Engineering activities on a range of projects, ensuring that they comply with the Structural Integrity Regulatory Requirements.

A key feature of the job is to provide specialist engineering advice.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

The successful candidate(s) will:

• Provide leadership to a team of engineers and to functionally manage all Stress Engineering activities for a range of projects.
• Be functionally responsible for a programme or projects, in particular ensuring that commitments are met within agreed schedules and budget.
• Ensure that all projects comply with the structural integrity requirements of the Airworthiness Regulations.
• Keep abreast of Structural Technology Developments and provide leadership in their application to the definition of innovative structural solutions.
• Provide specialist structural engineering advice to the whole organisation and to take the lead in solving significant structural problems.
• Work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team environment that develops sound business solutions while satisfying customer and regulatory technical requirements.
• Recruit, develop and motivate a team of highly skilled professional engineers.
• Laise positively and negotiate effectively with customers, suppliers and regulatory authorities.

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that sufficient detail is provided on the application form to how the applicant meets essential job criteria, as this alone will be used for vetting purposes.

Candidates must:

• Possess a minimum of a BSc/BEng degree together with a minimum of 5 years’ relevant management/professional experience.

OR

• Possess a minimum of an engineering related HNC together with a minimum of 8 years’ relevant management/professional experience.

AND

• Be able to demonstrate experience in dealing with senior management, customers, suppliers and Regulatory Authorities is essential.
• Be able to demonstrate the ability to manage, motivate and advise a team working on specialist engineering issues and the ability to motivate staff in an environment of change.
• Candidates should preferably be members of a professional engineering institution.

Completed applications must be submitted by 4PM Wednesday 29^th April 2025

We employ people from all sections of the community and are committed to the appointment of the best candidate based upon the merit principle alone. In pursuit of our equal opportunities programme, we would particularly welcome more applications from Catholics and females, as these groups are currently under-represented in our workforce.