Structural Researcher – Wing Structure (W/M/D) CDI

We are recruiting on behalf of our client, an innovative deeptech startup operating in the renewable energy sector, a Structural Researcher (W/M/D) to support the development and validation of advanced structural concepts for an innovative airborne energy system within a highly technological, fast-evolving, and international environment.

The company develops breakthrough technologies aimed at contributing to a more sustainable energy future and promotes a culture built around innovation, environmental awareness, integrity, ambition, and personal development.

Reporting directly to the Department Manager, you will contribute to the definition and development of the wing structure by combining rigid elements and pressurized textile beams while respecting lightweight constraints. You will also prototype and test the structure to ensure appropriate stiffness and fatigue resistance.

Working at the intersection of structural engineering, simulation, prototyping, and experimental validation, you will play a key role in understanding structural behaviours and ensuring appropriate stiffness, structural integrity, and fatigue resistance of the system.

Your responsibilities will include designing and implementing structural principles for a rotating hybrid textile-carbon wing architecture, verifying and preventing structural resonance phenomena associated with rotation frequencies and vortex shedding, simulating structural deflection and internal stresses to maintain the cylindrical shape required for Magnus-effect aerodynamic performance, and preventing structural failures resulting from high fatigue cycle loading.

You will contribute to structural simulations and analyses using Finite Element Analysis approaches, including model setup, meshing, boundary condition definition, load application, post-processing, and result interpretation. You will support physical analysis and validation activities, including correlation between simulation and experimental results, stress analysis, deformation analysis, local stability assessment, interface integrity evaluation, and weight-versus-performance trade-off studies.

You will also contribute to prototyping and testing activities and support the continuous improvement of structural models and simulation approaches through experimental feedback and validation.

This permanent position (CDI) is based in Grenoble, France, within a highly technological, international, and fast-evolving environment.

You hold an Engineering degree, Master's degree, or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field, with 5 to 10 years of experience in structural engineering and/or structural analysis.

We are looking for candidates with strong experience in structural analysis and simulation of lightweight structures. Experience with composite structures, textile structures with rigid reinforcements, or inflatable structures would be particularly relevant.

You have hands-on experience with static and dynamic simulations using ANSYS Mechanical and ANSYS Workbench, including model setup, meshing, boundary condition definition, load application, post-processing, and result interpretation. You also have experience in physical case analysis and validation activities, including correlation between simulation and experimental results, stress analysis, deflection analysis, local stability assessment, interface integrity evaluation, and structural performance assessment.

Knowledge of fatigue and vibration phenomena, modal analysis, harmonic response, transient dynamic analysis, and mechanical durability assessment would be appreciated.

Experience with Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) workflows and modelling approaches for CFD-to-FEA transfer, including one-way and two-way FSI, pressure mapping, distributed aerodynamic load transfer, structural response modelling, and coupled or sequential analysis strategies, would be considered an asset.

Strong data management and technical writing skills are important for success in this role.

You enjoy learning, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and contributing within an international environment. You are curious, adaptable, and motivated by solving complex engineering challenges through experimentation, analysis, and continuous improvement.

Fluency in English or French is required. Professional working proficiency in the second language would be appreciated.

If you are looking to join an innovative deeptech company and contribute to the development of breakthrough renewable energy technologies, we look forward to receiving your application.