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Freelance Damage Tolerance Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

SOGECLAIR

Stress Engineer - Defense

Wichita, KS

$52.50 - $72/hr

Perform fatigue and damage tolerance assessments based on customer's mission profile requirements ... You must have a Bachelor of Engineering or equivalent. * You must havea minimum of 5yearsof ...

Belcan, LLC

Sr Structural Engineer

Vandalia, OH · On-site

$70/hr

Understanding of fatigue and damage tolerance analysis. * Ability to author and review substantiation reports. Preferred: * Liaison engineering experience. * Aircraft modification experience.

New

Belcan

Sr Structural Engineer

Vandalia, OH

$70/hr

Understanding of fatigue and damage tolerance analysis. *Ability to author and review substantiation reports. Preferred: *Liaison engineering experience. *Aircraft modification experience.

New

AEVEX

Sr. Stress Engineer

Murrieta, CA

$200K - $224K/yr

The Senior Stress Engineer at AEVEX Aerospace is responsible for analyzing primary & secondary ... Develops Fatigue & Damage Tolerance (F&DT) reports * Other functions may include basic thermal ...

Spirit AeroSystems

Structural Analysis Engineer

Wichita, KS · On-site

$118K - $182K/yr

... damage tolerance analysis, thermal analysis, vibration analysis, structural testing, etc.) to ... Bachelors of Science Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or ...

Expleo

Stress Engineer V - Tulsa

Tulsa, OK

$90/hr

Perform advanced static, fatigue, and damage tolerance analysis * Lead development and validation of FEM models for complex structures * Generate, review, and approve detailed stress analysis reports

Expleo

Stress Engineer V - Tulsa

Tulsa, OK

$90/hr

Perform advanced static, fatigue, and damage tolerance analysis * Lead development and validation of FEM models for complex structures * Generate, review, and approve detailed stress analysis reports

AEVEX

Sr. Stress Engineer

Murrieta, CA · On-site

$200K - $224K/yr

The Senior Stress Engineer at AEVEX Aerospace is responsible for analyzing primary & secondary ... Develops Fatigue & Damage Tolerance (F&DT) reports * Other functions may include basic thermal ...

Expleo

Stress Engineer III - IV - Tulsa

Tulsa, OK

$67 - $78/hr

The Stress Engineer will apply knowledge of engineering principles, theories, concepts, industry ... Conduct fatigue and damage tolerance analysis to ensure longterm durability * Create and solve ...

Expleo

Stress Engineer III - IV - Tulsa

Tulsa, OK

$67 - $78/hr

The Stress Engineer will apply knowledge of engineering principles, theories, concepts, industry ... Conduct fatigue and damage tolerance analysis to ensure longterm durability * Create and solve ...

Expleo

Stress Engineer VI - Tulsa

Tulsa, OK

$90/hr

Perform and oversee advanced static, fatigue, and damage tolerance analysis * Define and drive ... Influence engineering strategy, design practices, and technical direction * Act as primary ...

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All JobsFreelance Damage Tolerance Engineer Jobs

Freelance Damage Tolerance Engineer information

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$14

$47

$132

How much do freelance damage tolerance engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance damage tolerance engineer in the United States is $47.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.28 and $61.78 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by freelance Damage Tolerance Engineers when working with multiple clients?

Freelance Damage Tolerance Engineers often manage projects for several clients simultaneously, which can present challenges such as adapting to different engineering standards, documentation practices, and communication styles. Coordinating with diverse teams remotely and ensuring that all stakeholders understand your analysis and recommendations requires strong organizational and interpersonal skills. Additionally, freelancers must stay updated on the latest regulations and industry developments to provide accurate assessments, especially when clients operate in various sectors or regions.

What is the difference between Freelance Damage Tolerance Engineer vs Structural Analysis Engineer?

AspectFreelance Damage Tolerance EngineerStructural Analysis Engineer
CredentialsEngineering degree, damage tolerance certifications (e.g., ASNT, NDT)Engineering degree, structural analysis certifications
Work EnvironmentFreelance, consulting projects, various industriesIn-house or consulting, construction, aerospace, manufacturing
Industry UsageUsed across aerospace, automotive, defense, and energy sectorsPrimarily in construction, aerospace, civil engineering

Freelance Damage Tolerance Engineers focus on assessing and ensuring the durability of materials and structures through damage tolerance analysis, often working independently across industries. Structural Analysis Engineers perform detailed structural assessments to ensure safety and compliance within organizations. While both roles require engineering expertise and certifications, the freelance Damage Tolerance Engineer emphasizes independent consulting, whereas Structural Analysis Engineers often work within companies or firms.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Freelance Damage Tolerance Engineer, and why are they important?

To excel as a Freelance Damage Tolerance Engineer, you need a solid background in structural engineering, fracture mechanics, and material science, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Proficiency with finite element analysis (FEA) tools, damage tolerance software (such as AFGROW or NASGRO), and familiarity with industry standards like FAA or EASA regulations are highly valued. Strong problem-solving abilities, effective communication, and self-management skills are crucial for delivering quality work to clients independently. These competencies ensure accurate assessment of structural integrity, compliance with safety standards, and successful project outcomes in a freelance environment.

What is a Freelance Damage Tolerance Engineer?

A Freelance Damage Tolerance Engineer is a specialist who works independently or on a contract basis to assess and analyze the structural integrity of materials and components, particularly in the aerospace, automotive, or civil engineering sectors. Their primary role is to predict how structures will behave when subjected to cracks, flaws, or other types of damage and to ensure that these structures remain safe and reliable throughout their service life. They use engineering principles, computer modeling, and industry standards to evaluate damage tolerance and recommend design improvements or maintenance schedules. Working freelance allows them to serve multiple clients and manage their own projects.
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Freelance Damage Tolerance Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Damage Tolerance Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $99,230 per year, or $47.7 per hour.
Sr Structural Engineer

Sr Structural Engineer

Sierra Nevada Corporation

Hagerstown, MD • On-site

$99K - $135K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 28 days ago

Sierra Nevada Corporation rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 27 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

17th of 60 rated aerospace companies

Job description

Are you a bold thinker driven to engineer the future of aerospace? At SNC, you'll play a central role in advancing our next generation of airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (A-ISR) platforms-including the digitally born, MBSE-engineered RAPCON-X, designed for flexible mission needs and worldwide operations. As a Senior Structural Engineer, you will lead analysis for airframe design, modification efforts that ensure these cutting-edge ISR aircraft achieve exceptional performance, reliability, and structural integrity. You will shape technical decisions, influence structural architecture, and guide the development of high-quality solutions across the aircraft lifecycle. In addition, you will mentor and develop early-career engineers-helping build the next generation of structural engineering talent that powers our ISR mission.
The Mission Solutions and Technologies (MST) business area provides affordable, turn-key command/control, communications, integrated ISR, force protection and security solutions worldwide. The MST team has a long legacy of supporting the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, commercial and international customers with years of experience in platform operations, engineering and full lifecycle management across domains - air, land, sea, space and cyber.
Responsibilities:
  • Lead and execute complex structural engineering projects, driving technical direction, design strategy, and successful delivery across multiple aircraft programs.
  • Provide expert-level guidance on airframe structures, including advanced analysis and design of metallic, composite, bonded, and hybrid structural systems.
  • Perform and validate high-fidelity structural analyses, such as static, fatigue, damage tolerance, stability, and dynamic assessments to ensure robust performance throughout the aircraft lifecycle.
  • Review, develop, and refine structural architectures, influencing material selection, load-path optimization, and integration of mission-specific modifications.
  • Mentor and guide junior engineers, fostering technical excellence, advancing structural engineering best practices, and supporting career development across the team.
  • Author, review, and approve detailed technical documentation, including stress reports, structural substantiation packages, drawings, specifications, and certification artifacts.
  • Ensure full compliance with applicable industry standards, regulatory requirements, and internal quality processes to support safe, certifiable, and maintainable aircraft designs.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional and program leadership, ensuring structural engineering solutions align with program objectives, certification pathways, and long-term business strategy.
  • Demonstrate compliance with Title 14 CFR Parts 23, 25, 27, and 29, including structural substantiation, load evaluation, and documentation required for supplemental type certification (STC).

Qualifications You Must Have
  • Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
  • 10+ years of experience in structural engineering supporting aircraft, aerospace systems, or complex structural programs.
  • An advanced degree in a related field may substitute for a portion of the required experience.
  • Expert knowledge of airframe structural analysis and design principles, including metallic, composite, bonded, and hybrid structures used in ISR and mission-system-equipped aircraft.
  • Strong command of engineering fundamentals, loads, material behavior, and structural substantiation methodologies.
  • Proficiency with Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) and analysis tools used for detailed stress, fatigue, and static/dynamic evaluation.
  • Demonstrated ability to collaborate within multi-disciplinary engineering teams engaged in aircraft modification, integration, and mission-system installation.
  • Advanced experience performing and interpreting static, fatigue, damage-tolerance, or dynamic analyses in support of aircraft-level design decisions.
  • Prior experience serving as a technical lead, guiding engineering direction, coordinating structural deliverables, and ensuring rigor across complex aircraft programs.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a United States Security Clearance up to the Top Secret level.

Qualifications We Prefer:
  • Master's or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline with emphasis on airframe structures or advanced materials.
  • Demonstrated contributions to the aerospace or defense structural engineering community, such as publications, conference presentations, or recognized technical leadership.
  • Experience performing advanced structural simulations using FEA tools such as MSC Patran, Nastran, FEMAP, or ANSYS to support aircraft modification, mission-system integration, and ISR platform design.
  • Proficiency conducting fatigue and damage-tolerance analysis using tools like NASGRO or AFGROW to substantiate airworthiness for both metallic and composite structures.
  • Strong capability in classical analysis methods and industry-standard hand calculations to validate models and verify structural behavior.
  • Experience authoring structural substantiation reports, stress analyses, and certification packages for aircraft modifications or mission-system installations.
  • Background working within the Aerospace and Defense industry, especially on programs involving airframe modifications, mission equipment, or Next-Gen ISR platforms.
  • Familiarity with FAA, NASA, and/or DoD structural design and construction standards, including certification frameworks relevant to aircraft integration and supplemental type certification (STC).

Essential Functions:
  • Ability to work on a computer for extended periods.
  • Occasional travel may be required up to 10%
  • Ability to work in an office or hybrid environment.
  • Applying systematic and logical problem-solving techniques to develop structural designs and analysis.
  • Clearly convey technical information, design specifications, and project updates to team members, stakeholders, and management.
  • Ability to understand technical documents, designs and test reports.

This posting will be open for application for a minimum of 5 days and may be extended based on business needs.
Estimated Starting Salary Range: $113,428.57 - $155,964.28. Compensation varies depending on a wide array of factors, such as candidates' key skills, relevant work experience, and education/training/certifications. The disclosed range estimate may be adjusted for any applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled.
SNC offers annual incentive pay based upon performance that is commensurate with the level of the position.
SNC offers a generous benefit package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with 150% match up to 6%, life insurance, 3 weeks paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and more.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret U.S. Security Clearance. U.S. Citizenship status is required as this position needs an active U.S. Security Clearance for employment. Non-U.S. citizens may not be eligible to obtain a security clearance. The Department of Defense Consolidated Adjudications Facility (DoD CAF), a federal government agency, handles the adjudicative aspects of the security clearance eligibility process for industry applicants. Adjudicative factors which affect the outcome of the eligibility determination include, but are not limited to, allegiance to the U.S., foreign influence, foreign preference, criminal conduct, security violations and illegal drug use.
Learn more about the background check process for Security Clearances.
SNC is a global leader in aerospace and national security committed to moving the American Dream forward. We're known and respected for our mission and execution focus, agility, and disruptive and rapid innovation. We provide leading edge technologies and transformative solutions that support our nation's most critical security needs. If you are mission-focused, thrive in collaborative environments, and want to make our country stronger with state-of-the-art technologies that safeguard freedom, join our team!
SNC is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to an environment free of discrimination. Employment decisions are made based on merit without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law.

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