What does a stress engineer do?
A stress engineer specializes in conducting analysis and assessments on structures and components, mainly using stress to test its structural integrity. They may work in various industries such as automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, and even medical. Although their duties may vary upon the industry, they are typically in charge of performing extensive research and analysis, coordinating with architects and engineers, designing and building prototypes, and maintaining records of all procedures. Furthermore, a stress engineer must produce detailed progress and findings reports in adherence to project deadlines and company policies.
Stress engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real stress engineer resumes:
- Lead CFD analyses on various aircraft types.
- Manage the development and design data in PDM to ensure successful completion.
- Manage Jenkins security by providing specific access to authorize developers/testers using project base matrix authorization strategy.
- Develop Perl, TCL, and Bourne shell tools to improve the CFD process.
- Perform FEA static analysis on primary and secondary MLG structural parts using ABAQUS as solver.
- Perform mission analysis using PATRAN, ABAQUS, and NASTRAN as well as basic hand calculations.
- Develop the detail FEA analysis of large cargo door and small cutouts for composite skin and sub-structure using PATRAN and NASTRAN.
- Utilize SolidWorks to design 3D models of test bed components.
- Involve in gas compressor station, refinery and petrochemical plants.
- Review 3D model (Navisworks) as per site activities.
- Certify SRB structures for flight use in accordance with NASA program strength requirements.
- Restructure project execution schedule that result in prompt site delivery for EPC clients.
- Provide layout and design of HVAC systems, equipment selection and building load calculations.
- Learned PATRAN and IAS in a short time period to complete the necessary analysis tasks.
- Prepare pipe and ducting design, routings for take-offs to be utilize for BOM components.
Stress engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 10% of Stress Engineers are proficient in Finite Element Analysis, Structural Analysis, and Autocad. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Business skills, and Writing skills.
We break down the percentage of Stress Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Finite Element Analysis, 10%
Performed structural analysis of metallic and composite aircraft structures using traditional calculation methods and finite element analysis.
- Structural Analysis, 9%
Completed in depth structural analysis both electronically and hand calculations for Boeing 767 Tanker propulsion structure to substantiate structural integrity.
- Autocad, 6%
Used SolidWorks to recreate the galleys in 3-D, converted to AutoCAD, and translated to VersaCAD.
- Fatigue Analysis, 5%
Developed repairs and prepared static strength/ fatigue analysis of engineering repair dispositions for nonconforming aircraft structure.
- MRB, 5%
Completed MRB and structural substantiation of modifications and analysis for 787 primary and secondary metallic and composite structure.
- Ansys, 4%
Analyzed Boeing 777 actuator door components, and high-energy flywheel systems and valves using Pro-Engineer CAD and ANSYS finite element.
Common skills that a stress engineer uses to do their job include "finite element analysis," "structural analysis," and "autocad." You can find details on the most important stress engineer responsibilities below.
Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a stress engineer to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "aerospace engineers must be able to evaluate project design elements and propose improvements, if necessary." Stress engineers often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "documented analysis in airbus dossiers. "
Business skills. Another essential skill to perform stress engineer duties is business skills. Stress engineers responsibilities require that "meeting federal standards in aerospace engineering requires business knowledge, including commercial law." Stress engineers also use business skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "performed stress, and fatigue analysis to support the design & development and structural modifications of various business jet models: . "
Math skills. For certain stress engineer responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "math skills." The day-to-day duties of a stress engineer rely on this skill, as "aerospace engineers use calculus, trigonometry, and other math in their analysis, design, and troubleshooting work." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what stress engineers do: "prepare and update stress analysis technical reports using solidworks, mathcad, excel, word & autocad as necessary. "
Problem-solving skills. A commonly-found skill in stress engineer job descriptions, "problem-solving skills" is essential to what stress engineers do. Stress engineer responsibilities rely on this skill because "aerospace engineers upgrade designs and troubleshoot problems to improve aircraft, such as for increased fuel efficiency or safety." You can also see how stress engineer duties rely on problem-solving skills in this resume example: "utilized classical static analysis and fatigue analysis methods to substantiate repair solutions. "
The three companies that hire the most stress engineers are:
- Andromeda Systems Incorporated55 stress engineers jobs
- PDS Tech13 stress engineers jobs
- Bechtel Corporation8 stress engineers jobs
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Compare different stress engineers
Stress engineer vs. Senior structural designer
A senior structural designer designs structures such as bridges, dams, parks, or telecommunication structures. They create designs, document them, and analyze structural functionality. Frequently, they must attend meetings and seminars to distribute designs to junior structural designers. They also perform peer reviews and write reports.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a stress engineer are more likely to require skills like "finite element analysis," "structural analysis," "fatigue analysis," and "mrb." On the other hand, a job as a senior structural designer requires skills like "revit," "structural design," "navisworks," and "bim." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Senior structural designers really shine in the utilities industry with an average salary of $101,786. Comparatively, stress engineers tend to make the most money in the professional industry with an average salary of $110,420.senior structural designers tend to reach lower levels of education than stress engineers. In fact, senior structural designers are 17.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.7% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Stress engineer vs. Engineering associate
An engineering associate is an individual whose job duties include analysis of project plans, development of product designs, and maintenance of equipment. The engineering fields where an engineering associate can find a job include civil, mechanical, and environmental. The requirements to qualify for the position include obtaining a bachelor's degree in engineering, familiarity with a specific industry, prior work experience related to the field, and possessing strong technical skills.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real stress engineer resumes. While stress engineer responsibilities can utilize skills like "finite element analysis," "structural analysis," "autocad," and "fatigue analysis," engineering associates use skills like "python," "java," "c++," and "c #."
Engineering associates may earn a lower salary than stress engineers, but engineering associates earn the most pay in the energy industry with an average salary of $88,950. On the other hand, stress engineers receive higher pay in the professional industry, where they earn an average salary of $110,420.engineering associates earn lower levels of education than stress engineers in general. They're 10.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Stress engineer vs. Research and development engineer
Research and development engineers generally execute research and tests on product ideas, develop new products, and perform redesigns. They are employed in many industries, including manufacturing, electrical, and science-based companies. Their duties vary and depend on the industries they work in. Responsibilities of these engineers include developing new technologies, designing products, and managing the projects until they are completed. Additionally, they lead the project team members to manage their schedules, design the project plans, and collaborate with key departments in developing new products.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a stress engineer is likely to be skilled in "finite element analysis," "structural analysis," "autocad," and "fatigue analysis," while a typical research and development engineer is skilled in "python," "r," "c #," and "solidworks."
Research and development engineers earn the highest salary when working in the technology industry, where they receive an average salary of $107,654. Comparatively, stress engineers have the highest earning potential in the professional industry, with an average salary of $110,420.Most research and development engineers achieve a similar degree level compared to stress engineers. For example, they're 1.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Stress engineer vs. Product development engineer
A Product Development Engineer is responsible for creating and testing new product designs. They collaborate with market researchers to evaluate market needs, existing competition, and potential costs.
Types of stress engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
