Senior Structures & Fatigue Engineer

The Opportunity - Senior Structures & Fatigue Engineer

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About the role:

To further support the growth and demands in the business to produce more structurally capable and lightweight off highway machinery, we are looking to hire a Senior Engineer specialised in structures and fatigue. Based at our World headquarters in Rocester, we are seeking an engineer who would have experience with wheeled loading shovels or other machinery  and an understanding of strain gauge testing and FEA.

What does this role involve day to day?

·       Assess and validate the structural integrity of off-highway vehicles.

·       Conduct fatigue risk assessments and recommend design improvements to reduce stress and strain.

·       Interpret CAD weld drawings and FEA results to define gauge classifications for testing.

·       Update and maintain life matrices and simulation loadcase documents to reflect real-world duty profiles.

·       Produce strain gauge drawings using CAD and FEA, and supervise field data collection.

·       Analyse field data using standard and non-standard nCode flows to estimate fatigue life.

·       Use advanced simulation tools (e.g., nCode Glyphworks, Siemens NX, Altair) for stress and fatigue analysis.

·       Work cross-functionally with design, manufacturing, and quality teams to resolve complex structural problems.

·       Communicate technical and commercial information clearly to leaders and stakeholders.

·       Foster professional relationships with colleagues, customers, suppliers, and regulatory bodies.

·       Plan, organise, and adapt to a fast-paced, changing environment.

·       Ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget, considering commercial impacts.

·       Supervise and mentor others in data collection and testing processes.

·       Stay up to date with industry best practices and new methodologies (e.g., attending seminars and CPD events).

·       Apply creative engineering calculations and first principles to drive innovation in design.

This will be suited to you if...

·       You have a strong technical background in mechanical or automotive engineering, ideally with experience in structural analysis, fatigue, and life prediction of welded and bolted joints. A relevant degree and hands-on experience with FEA and strain gauge testing are essential.

·       You’re comfortable with complex problem-solving under pressure, able to resolve structural challenges across multiple projects and propose innovative, practical solutions using engineering principles.

·       You’re commercially aware, understanding how technical decisions impact project timelines, budgets, and broader business objectives.

·       You’re an effective communicator, able to explain technical and commercial information clearly to leaders and stakeholders, and foster trust with colleagues, customers, suppliers, and regulatory bodies.

·       You thrive in a fast-paced, changing environment, able to plan, organise, and adapt quickly, working cross-functionally with a team success mentality.

·       You’re proficient with engineering software and data analysis tools, such as nCode Glyphworks, Siemens NX (or similar CAD packages), Altair, and Microsoft Office.

·       You value continuous learning and professional development, staying up to date with industry best practices, attending seminars, and adopting new methodologies.

·       You’re motivated to mentor and support others, supervising field data collection and sharing knowledge with junior engineers and team members.

·       You’re organised and detail-oriented, able to manage multiple projects, maintain accurate documentation, and ensure high standards in testing and analysis.

·       You enjoy collaborative work, contributing to team discussions, sharing ideas, and working towards common goals.

What happens next?

Ordinarily, our Resourcing Team reviews and shortlists CVs. If shortlisted, you’ll speak to one of our Recruiters to discuss the role further. Our interview process usually consists of an initial team’s interview followed by an in-person interview. We’ll keep in touch throughout the process but if you have any questions, please get in touch at recruitment@jcb.com 

What’s in it for you?

This is your chance to join a company that values expertise not only in rewards but also in real employee care. At JCB you don’t just get a competitive salary, 33 days’ holiday and access to our company pension—you can also use our onsite gym, in-house doctor and dentist. We have an ULEV car scheme available for our employees too. Then there’s the JCB Rewards Hub, which gives you discounts with high street retailers. Feel like biking to work? There’s our Cycle to Work Scheme.

We value diversity and welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

We’re committed to ensuring our recruitment process is fair and inclusive. If you face any accessibility challenges with your online application and require additional support, you have the option of speaking to a member of our Recruitment Team who can support you to complete an application in an alternative format. If you would benefit from this support, please email recruitment@jcb.com, and a member of the team will be in touch.

Recruitment Agencies: JCB does not accept any speculative approaches to present candidates for advertised vacancies.