Lead Engineer Structures in Leiden, Nederland

Voor Airbus Netherlands B.V. zoeken wij een Lead Engineer Structures.
About the role
You will provide technical and operational leadership to a team developing and delivering large metallic structures for advanced space applications, including rocket structures. You will coordinate engineering activities, guide and support your team, and ensure designs meet technical, safety, and quality requirements.

You will work closely with FEM analysts, AIT, other engineering disciplines, Procurement, and Quality to ensure structural solutions are technically sound and ready for production and integration. You will also help resolve complex engineering challenges, investigate technical incidents, and work with specialists to identify and implement effective solutions.

This role is suited to a proactive technical leader with strong structural engineering expertise, a hands-on approach, and a genuine interest in aerospace and space technology.

Your responsibilities

• You provide technical and operational leadership to engineers working on large metallic structures for space applications.
• You coordinate and guide engineering activities, ensuring progress, quality, and alignment with project requirements.
• You support, coach, and motivate team members as they address technical challenges and develop their performance.
• You oversee structural engineering activities and ensure designs meet technical requirements and safety standards, including Factor of Safety considerations.
• You collaborate with FEM analysts, AIT, other engineers, Procurement, and Quality throughout the engineering and production process.
• You analyse technical incidents and structural issues with subject-matter experts and relevant stakeholders.
• You coordinate the investigation, assessment, and resolution of engineering problems.
• You support effective communication between engineering teams and production stakeholders.
• You contribute to improving engineering processes, methods, and ways of working.
• You help maintain the technical integrity, reliability, and manufacturability of structural designs.
• You estimate, manage, and monitor the budgets for your work packages.

Your profile

• You have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a comparable technical discipline.
• You have at least five years of relevant structural engineering experience, preferably combined with demonstrable technical leadership or team management experience.
• You have experience with metallic structures; experience exclusively with concrete or other non-metallic construction is not sufficient.
• You have a background in aerospace, space, aviation, offshore, automotive, or offshore wind turbines.
• You have experience with Factor of Safety calculations and structural safety requirements.
• You have led, coordinated, or supervised engineers in a technical environment.
• You take a proactive, hands-on approach and take ownership of technical challenges.
• You have strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including experience investigating technical incidents and resolving complex engineering issues.
• You understand structural analysis methods and work effectively with specialists across engineering disciplines.
• You have strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• You are genuinely interested in aerospace technology, space systems, and the products being developed.
• Experience working in an Agile environment is an advantage.
• Knowledge of Nastran is an advantage.
• You communicate well in English, both verbally and in writing.
• You reside in the Netherlands.

What you can expect

• You will contribute to technically challenging projects in the international space industry.
• You will take a leading engineering role, coordinating and guiding a team of specialists.
• You will collaborate with experienced professionals across engineering, analysis, production, integration, procurement, and quality.
• You will work in a dynamic, high-tech environment where technical expertise, teamwork, and innovation are central.

Functie-eisen

Functie-wensen

• You have relevant experience in structural engineering; experience in technical leadership or team management is a plus
• You have a background in aerospace, space, aviation, offshore, automotive, or (offshore) wind turbines
• It is an advantage if you have experience working in an Agile environment
• Knowledge of Nastran is an advantage

Extra Informatie

• Aantal uur 40
• ZZP mogelijk? Nee
• Thuiswerken mogelijk? N.t.b.
• Startdatum 01-12-2026