What does a stress analyst do?
A stress analyst is a type of aerospace engineer; they design, construct, and test aircraft. They may also work on missiles or spacecraft. They primarily study design requirements for the overall strength of a craft. They analyze the stress data of structural components and prepare mathematical models of issues.
Stress analyst responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real stress analyst resumes:
- Design system architecture for managing and deploying distribute databases to sales representatives.
- Create stress report of findings and recommendations to MRB group.
- Ensure wellheads, hangers, and valves equipment meet API requirements.
- Analyze the ultimate capacity of aircraft frame assembly ball panel cargo systems (ANSYS) under weight loads.
- Develop initial analysis, sizing of MRB repairs, and department processes; review and approve stress analyses.
- Create 3D thermal and structural meshes for complex turbine components in ANSYS and develop macros to apply complex boundary conditions.
- Carry out summation of piping loads on air coolers, pumps, compressors and heaters to API or vendor's requirements.
- Perform analysis and FAA certification of multiple aircraft modifications.
- Analyze major airframe components of advance fighter aircraft to verify strength requirements.
- Perform analysis, testing, and design prototyping for structural components of businessjets.
- Provide fatigue and damage tolerance analyses of primary structural elements base on fatigue test article results supporting FAA certification reports.
- Perform calculations and analysis for skin and stringer allowable document.
- Develop structural templates for automatic margin of safety calculations for any number of load conditions.
- Execute test regression and report defects and assure resolution using the Bugzilla web-base reporting tool.
Stress analyst skills and personality traits
We calculated that 7% of Stress Analysts are proficient in Abaqus, Airframe, and Structural Integrity. They’re also known for soft skills such as Business skills, Math skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Stress Analysts that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Abaqus, 7%
Performed analysis on CFRP details/fittings on the 787 Section 11 using both classical and Finite Element Analysis, ABAQUS.
- Airframe, 6%
Supported strength and fatigue analysis for airframe repairs on the B-1B Lancer.
- Structural Integrity, 6%
Evaluated components to substantiate structural integrity for environmental and thermal load conditions.
- Ansys, 6%
Program generated composite margins of safety (Tsai-Wu & Max Stress) for groups of elements that were defined in ANSYS.
- Analysis Tools, 5%
Used VBA to program several analysis tools to make tasks more efficient, reduce cost, and standardize the analysis.
- Fatigue Analysis, 5%
Generated automated fatigue analysis in java using input and output via Excel spreadsheets.
Common skills that a stress analyst uses to do their job include "abaqus," "airframe," and "structural integrity." You can find details on the most important stress analyst responsibilities below.
Business skills. One of the key soft skills for a stress analyst to have is business skills. You can see how this relates to what stress analysts do because "meeting federal standards in aerospace engineering requires business knowledge, including commercial law." Additionally, a stress analyst resume shows how stress analysts use business skills: "lead stress team in obtaining an stc for modifying a hawker 800xp business jet to a military reconnaissance configuration. "
Math skills. Many stress analyst duties rely on math skills. "aerospace engineers use calculus, trigonometry, and other math in their analysis, design, and troubleshooting work.," so a stress analyst will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways stress analyst responsibilities rely on math skills: "detailed analysis, linear and non-linear, fatigue, stress corrosion, using ansys workbench, mathcad. "
Problem-solving skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of stress analysts is problem-solving skills. This skill is critical to many everyday stress analyst duties, as "aerospace engineers upgrade designs and troubleshoot problems to improve aircraft, such as for increased fuel efficiency or safety." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "researched and developed new solutions for installing payloads to primary structure. "
Analytical skills. A commonly-found skill in stress analyst job descriptions, "analytical skills" is essential to what stress analysts do. Stress analyst responsibilities rely on this skill because "aerospace engineers must be able to evaluate project design elements and propose improvements, if necessary." You can also see how stress analyst duties rely on analytical skills in this resume example: "provided structural analysis support on airbus a400 aircraft cargo handling and aerial delivery systems for military and civilian applications. "
Communication skills. While "communication skills" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to stress analyst responsibilities. Much of what a stress analyst does relies on this skill, seeing as "aerospace engineers must be able to explain, both orally and in writing, the details of their designs." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of stress analysts: "designed and analyzed the main structural cylinder and performed detailed structural analysis of structural hardware and subsystems on several communication satellites. "
The three companies that hire the most stress analysts are:
- Lockheed Martin11 stress analysts jobs
- Axiom Space10 stress analysts jobs
- JPMorgan Chase & Co.4 stress analysts jobs
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Compare different stress analysts
Stress analyst vs. Propulsion engineer
A Propulsion Engineer is responsible for inspecting the condition and stability of rocket engines and control systems within the aerospace industry. They create engine systems by utilizing various software applications and tools for construction. They also identify cost-reduction materials and techniques by negotiating contracts and agreements with trusted suppliers and vendors. A Propulsion Engineer must have excellent technical and mechanical skills to resolve engine issues and conduct preventive maintenance to prevent operational delays and potential hazards.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, stress analyst responsibilities require skills like "abaqus," "airframe," "structural integrity," and "ansys." Meanwhile a typical propulsion engineer has skills in areas such as "propulsion system," "gd," "test data," and "cfd." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
On average, propulsion engineers reach lower levels of education than stress analysts. Propulsion engineers are 8.4% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 2.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Stress analyst vs. Aircraft engineer
An aircraft engineer oversees the design and assembly of an aircraft. Broadly, they are responsible for developing aircraft designs, testing and fine-tuning them, and ensuring safe practices during the assembly process. Specifically, this involves providing design drafts, meeting with executives to get feedback, and working in an engineering team to improve designs. They must consider aerodynamic principles, air safety, passenger comfort, and customer. This position requires an advanced degree and strong experience in the aviation field.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, stress analyst responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "abaqus," "structural integrity," "ansys," and "analysis tools." Meanwhile, an aircraft engineer has duties that require skills in areas such as "dod," "aircraft systems," "aircraft maintenance," and "stc." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, aircraft engineers earn a lower salary than stress analysts. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, aircraft engineers earn the most pay in the transportation industry with an average salary of $77,998. Whereas stress analysts have higher pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $87,231.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Aircraft engineers tend to reach lower levels of education than stress analysts. In fact, they're 12.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 2.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Stress analyst vs. Simulation engineer
A simulation engineer is an engineering professional who uses technical expertise and knowledge of computer simulation technologies to test the performance, durability, and safety of engineering solutions. Simulation engineers must use a virtual environment when working on an incredibly intricate and expensive project such as a new helicopter, satellite, or submarine. They use computer programming languages such as C++ and Fortran to model simulated environment. Simulation engineers are also required to collaborate with the design and production teams so that they can accomplish a specific project.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from stress analyst resumes include skills like "abaqus," "airframe," "structural integrity," and "analysis tools," whereas a simulation engineer is more likely to list skills in "python," "simulink," "java," and "systems engineering. "
Simulation engineers earn the best pay in the professional industry, where they command an average salary of $96,302. Stress analysts earn the highest pay from the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $87,231.When it comes to education, simulation engineers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to stress analysts. In fact, they're 1.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Stress analyst vs. Avionics engineer
Avionics Engineers are responsible for the design and development of avionics systems. They are involved in implementing economic and innovative techniques for avionic systems manufacturing, testing all parts and systems, rectifying faulty parts, and scheduling maintenance and inspection. They also prepare progress reports to update stakeholders involved, assist in proposals and bid preparation, and develop training programs for their junior engineering staff. Avionics Engineers must always comply with government regulations and industry best practices.
Types of stress analyst
Updated January 8, 2025
