Lead FEM & Digital Engineer - Airbus (Filton)
Location: Filton (60% onsite)
Hours: 35 per week, flexible across 4.5 days (between 7am-7pm)
Clearance: BPSS + Airbus Clearance
IR35 Status: Inside IR35
Join Airbus and Shape the Future of Wing Engineering
Guidant Global is proud to be partnering with Airbus to offer an exciting opportunity for a Lead FEM & Digital Engineer. This role sits at the heart of the Wing Engineering community, contributing to cutting‑edge FE simulation, digital transformation, and the development of future wing technologies.
You'll join a highly motivated, forward‑thinking team responsible for delivering FE loads strategy, advanced digital analysis, and structural enablement across all major Airbus wing programmes. If you thrive on solving complex engineering challenges and want to influence next‑generation aircraft design, this is an excellent opportunity to make an impact.
What You'll Be Doing
As a Lead FEM & Digital Engineer, you will play a key role in FE modelling, digital innovation, and cross‑functional collaboration. Your responsibilities will include:
Finite Element & Structural Analysis
- Developing and delivering GFEM and DFEM models across multiple programmes.
- Running, interpreting, and validating FE and stress analysis data.
- Proposing optimised design solutions focusing on weight, cost, performance, and manufacturability.
Digital Enablement & Innovation
- Driving new modelling approaches and digital tools to support Wing structure enablement.
- Supporting the development and deployment of innovative FE and digital projects within the Airbus DDMS framework.
- Challenging ways of working and championing continuous improvement aligned with the future Wing strategy.
Technical Leadership & Stakeholder Collaboration
- Acting as a focal point for FE and digital activities at Wing level, helping prioritise tasks and identify risks.
- Collaborating with engineering partners across Airbus' transnational teams.
- Ensuring compliance with regulations, design principles, and airworthiness requirements.
What You'll Bring
We're looking for an experienced engineer with the technical depth and collaborative mindset to succeed in a fast‑paced environment.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Degree in Aerospace Engineering or a related discipline.
- 5-10 years' experience in FEM and structural analysis.
- Strong working knowledge of Hyperworks, Hypermesh, MSC Nastran, and FE idealisation of wing components.
- Understanding of Airbus policies, airworthiness requirements, and engineering processes.
- Confident communicator with strong problem‑solving skills and a positive, proactive approach.
Desirable
- FEM signature delegation.
- ISAMI experience.
- Familiarity with UNIX‑based systems.
- Previous Airbus wing experience or Airbus FEM approval level.
Contract & Pay
- Umbrella: £46.00 per hour (non‑approver) - £52.00 per hour (approver).
- PAYE: £38.88 per hour.
Why Join Through Guidant Global?
At Guidant Global, we're passionate about creating an inclusive environment where people feel valued, respected, and empowered. As your recruitment partner, we're committed to supporting you throughout the process-from CV submission to onboarding at Airbus.
You'll enjoy:
- A transparent and supportive recruitment experience.
- Access to exciting engineering opportunities across Airbus.
- A dedicated recruitment partner guiding you every step of the way.
Ready to Apply?
If you're excited by advanced FEM, digital engineering, and contributing to future‑focused aerospace innovation, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply today and help shape the Wing of the Future.
Guidant, Carbon60, Lorien & SRG - The Impellam Group Portfolio are acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.
