1

Senior Damage Tolerance Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Structural Engineer II

Plano, TX · On-site

$45 - $51.54/hr

Structural Engineer II Duration: 1 year (Temp to Hire) Max PR: $51.54 Location: Plano, TX Duties ... DAMAGE TOLERANCE ANALYSIS * FATIGUE AND DAMAGE TOLERANCE TOOLS (NASGRO, AFGROW) * MULTI ...

Stress Engineer

Wichita, KS · On-site

$52.50 - $72/hr

Stress Engineer Location: Wichita, KS Onsite/ Remote: Onsite In this role, you will be a critical ... Perform detailed fatigue and damage tolerance (F&DT) analyses on primary and secondary aircraft ...

Structural Engineer

Plano, TX · On-site

$59.27/hr

Evaluating fatigue life and damage tolerance characteristics of structural components * Developing technical documentation, substantiation reports, and engineering recommendations * Applying ...

Senior Structural Analyst

San Jose, CA · On-site

$144K - $180K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Engineering field, M.S. preferred * Proven experience with stress, fatigue, and/or damage tolerance analysis on both metallic and/or composite structures. * Experience in ...

Showing results 41-60

Senior Damage Tolerance Engineer information

See salary details

$59.5K

$126.6K

$183.5K

How much do senior damage tolerance engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior damage tolerance engineer in the United States is $126,557.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $104,500.00 and $143,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a senior damage tolerance engineer?

Senior Damage Tolerance Engineers are specialized professionals who assess and predict the structural integrity and lifespan of materials and components, particularly in aerospace and automotive industries. They analyze how cracks, flaws, and other damage can affect the strength and safety of structures over time. Using advanced analytical methods and simulation tools, they help ensure that products meet safety standards and regulatory requirements. Their expertise is critical for maintaining the safety and reliability of aircraft, spacecraft, and other complex systems.

What are some common challenges faced by senior damage tolerance engineers when evaluating aircraft structural integrity?

Senior Damage Tolerance Engineers often encounter challenges when analyzing complex stress and fatigue data, especially for aging aircraft or when new materials are involved. Balancing safety margins with weight and cost constraints requires careful judgment and up-to-date knowledge of regulatory standards. Collaboration with design, materials, and maintenance teams is crucial to ensure that repairs and modifications meet both safety and operational requirements. Staying current with evolving industry guidelines and advanced simulation tools is also essential for success in this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior damage tolerance engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Damage Tolerance Engineer, you need a deep understanding of fracture mechanics, fatigue analysis, and materials science, usually supported by an engineering degree and significant aerospace industry experience. Expertise with finite element analysis (FEA) software, damage tolerance assessment tools, and familiarity with industry standards and certification processes is essential. Strong problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you interpret complex data and collaborate with cross-functional teams. These skills and qualities are crucial for ensuring aircraft structural integrity and safety while meeting regulatory and operational requirements.

What is the difference between Senior Damage Tolerance Engineer vs Damage Tolerance Engineer?

AspectSenior Damage Tolerance EngineerDamage Tolerance Engineer
QualificationsTypically requires 5+ years experience, advanced certificationsEntry to mid-level, relevant engineering degrees
ResponsibilitiesLeading damage assessments, overseeing projects, mentoringPerforming damage analysis, supporting design and testing
Work EnvironmentDesign offices, testing labs, aerospace or defense industriesDesign offices, testing labs, aerospace or defense industries

The main difference is experience level and responsibility. Senior Damage Tolerance Engineers lead damage assessments and mentor teams, while Damage Tolerance Engineers focus on analysis and supporting project tasks. Both roles are vital in aerospace and defense sectors, requiring similar credentials and work environments.

What cities are hiring for Senior Damage Tolerance Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Senior Damage Tolerance Engineer job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Damage Tolerance Engineer jobs?

The most popular types of Damage Tolerance Engineer jobs are:

What states have the most Senior Damage Tolerance Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Senior Damage Tolerance Engineer jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Senior Damage Tolerance Engineer jobs?

For Senior Damage Tolerance Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Senior Damage Tolerance Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $126,557 per year, or $60.8 per hour.

Senior Staff Engineer, Structural Analysis (R4954)

Seattle, WA

Shield AI
Software Development • 11 - 50 employees

$200K - $300K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 26 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Lead structural analysis efforts for UAV airframes, major substructures, and critical components.

  • Define and execute finite element modeling approaches, load cases, assumptions, and margin assessments.

  • Support structural test strategy, including defining requirements, participating in execution, and correlating results to analysis.


Job description

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI's technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube. 

Job Description:
Shield AI is seeking a Senior Staff Structural Analyst to provide advanced technical leadership in the structural analysis and validation of next-generation UAV platforms. In this role, you will serve as a senior subject-matter expert for airframe structures, leading complex analysis efforts, supporting test correlation, and ensuring structural integrity across development, flight test, and production.
 
This role is ideal for engineers with 12-15+ years of experience who have led major structural workstreams on aerospace programs and are comfortable owning analysis execution, mentoring engineers, and influencing key design tradeoffs within a program.
What you'll do:
  • Lead structural analysis efforts for UAV airframes, major substructures, and critical components within a program scope.
  • Define and execute finite element modeling approaches, load cases, assumptions, and margin assessments.
  • Perform and oversee static, modal, fatigue, vibration, and damage-tolerance analyses.
  • Establish sound practices for hand calculations, model validation, and analysis-to-test correlation.
  • Drive structural optimization across performance, weight, cost, and manufacturability targets.
  • Support structural test strategy, including defining requirements, participating in execution, and correlating results to analysis.
  • Review structural analysis deliverables, test reports, and technical documentation for design reviews.
  • Mentor and technically guide structural analysts across varying experience levels.
  • Partner cross-functionally with design, loads, aero, propulsion, and systems teams to balance structural requirements with overall aircraft performance goals.
  • Contribute to evolving analysis methodologies and improving structural standards within the organization.
Required qualifications:
  • B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
  • 10+ years of experience in structural analysis, aircraft structures, or aerospace systems.
  • Strong expertise with FEA tools (ANSYS, NASTRAN, HyperWorks, or similar).
  • Advanced proficiency in hand calculations for strength, stability, fatigue, and damage tolerance.
  • Significant experience with composite and lightweight aerospace structures.
  • Experience supporting structural testing, model correlation, and flight test validation.
  • Ability to lead complex technical workstreams and influence design decisions within a program.
  • Strong communication skills and experience presenting analysis findings to engineering leadership.
  • Ability to get a S//SAR level security clearance desired.
Preferred qualifications:
  • Master's or Ph.D. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
  • Experience serving as a senior technical lead on aircraft or UAV structural programs.
  • Hands-on involvement in flight test support and certification efforts.
  • Experience contributing to internal analysis standards or best practices.
  • Familiarity with CAD, PLM, and enterprise engineering toolchains.
$200,000 - $300,000 a year
#LI-MS2
#LE

Full-time regular employee offer package:
Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
 
Temporary employee offer package:
Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
 
Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.
 
###
 
Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know. 
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
apply for this job