Position : Principal Engineer - DA Mechanical, Airframe (Structures)
Entity : ADASI
Department : Engineering
Location : Abu Dhabi
Key Responsibilities :
•Serve as the design authority for all airframe structural components, ensuring compliance with airworthiness regulations (e.g., EASA, MIL-STD, or equivalent).
•Lead the structural design, analysis, and validation of UAV airframes, from conceptual layouts to detailed engineering drawings.
•Oversee material selection (composites, alloys, advanced lightweight materials) to optimize performance, weight, and durability.
•Approve and sign off on engineering change requests and design documentation.
•Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams—avionics, propulsion, systems engineering—to ensure seamless integration of structural designs.
•Guide finite element analysis (FEA) and structural simulations to validate load cases, fatigue life, and crashworthiness.
•Support manufacturing engineering in translating designs into production-ready solutions, including tooling and assembly processes.
•Lead design reviews and act as the primary technical interface with certification authorities and customers.
•Drive continuous improvement initiatives in design methodology, CAD standards, and engineering best practices.
Educational background :
•Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline (Master’s degree preferred).
•Minimum 8+ years in aerospace structural design, with at least 3 years in a design authority or lead engineering role
Technical Skills:
•Proficiency in CATIA V5/V6 or equivalent CAD tools.
•Strong background in FEA tools (e.g., ANSYS, NASTRAN, Abaqus).
•Deep understanding of composite and metallic structures in aerospace applications.
•Knowledge of airworthiness standards (EASA CS-23/25, MIL-STD, or equivalent).
•Ability to make high-impact design decisions balancing performance, cost, and manufacturability.
•Strong leadership in cross-functional environments.
•Excellent communication skills for technical and executive-level discussions.
Preferred Certifications-
•Chartered Engineer (CEng) or Professional Engineer (PE) status.
•Certification in Aircraft Structural Design or Airworthiness Engineering.
•Project Management Professional (PMP) is a plus
#ADASI
Launched in November 2019, the UAE’s EDGE is one of the world’s leading advanced technology groups, established to develop agile, bold and disruptive solutions for defence and beyond, and to be a catalyst for change and transformation. It is dedicated to bringing breakthrough innovations, products, and services to market with greater speed and efficiency, to establishing the UAE as a leading global hub for future industries, and to creating clear paths within the sector for the next generation of highly-skilled talent to thrive.
With a focus on the adoption of 4IR technologies, EDGE is driving the development of sovereign capabilities for global export and for the preservation of national security, working with front-line operators, international partners, and adopting advanced technologies such as autonomous capabilities, cyber-physical systems, advanced propulsion systems, robotics and smart materials. EDGE converges R&D, emerging technologies, digital transformation, and commercial market innovations with military capabilities to develop disruptive solutions tailored to the specific requirements of its customers.
Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, capital of the UAE, EDGE consolidates more than 35 entities into six core clusters: EDGE Commercial, Platforms & Systems, Missiles & Weapons, Space & Cyber Technologies, Technology & Innovation, and Homeland Security.
