Element Digital Engineering is a leading provider of specialist engineering simulation, design, and consultancy services, supporting clients across highly regulated and technically demanding industries including Nuclear, Aerospace, Energy, and Defence, both in the UK and internationally. Our expertise covers the full spectrum of structural analysis from first principles engineering judgement and hand calculations, through static and nonlinear FEA, to advanced 3D dynamic, fatigue, fracture, and shock analyses. We pride ourselves on applying the right level of analytical fidelity to deliver robust, practical, and commercially relevant solutions for our clients. Our technical work covers everything from using experienced judgement, simple hand calculations and static FEA, through to detailed 3D dynamic and shock analyses. We are always mindful of the need to use the appropriate level of analysis fidelity and a suitable approach so that we produce practical solutions for our clients As part of the global Element Materials Technology Group, we also support Testing, Inspection and Certification (TIC) programmes worldwide, working closely with Element laboratories. This provides unique exposure to real-world structural failures, test-driven investigations, and product qualification challenges. The Opportunity We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Head of Capability Structures to lead, shape, and grow our structural analysis capability. This senior leadership role combines technical authority, people development, and strategic capability growth, while remaining hands-on with challenging client projects. As a Principal Engineer, you will be a trusted technical leader for both clients and colleagues, acting as an approver for critical analyses and technical deliverables. This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about structural integrity, engineering excellence, and mentoring the next generation of engineers. Key Responsibilities Technical Leadership & Capability Development Lead and evolve Element’s structural analysis capability, ensuring it remains technically excellent and market-competitive Develop and maintain a capability roadmap covering: People and skills /Tools and software Methods, standards, and emerging technique Define and implement technical standards, policies, and analysis frameworks to ensure consistency, quality, and compliance across all outputs Project Delivery & Technical Authority Lead and contribute to a wide range of structural analysis and integrity projects, including: Structural design and assessment Stress and fatigue analysis Fracture mechanics and crack growth Thermo-mechanical behaviour and contact modelling Provide technical oversight, document review, and approval for client deliverables Act as a senior technical interface with clients, partners, and internal stakeholders People Development & Mentorship Mentor, coach, and develop junior and mid-level engineers Support the growth of technical leaders within the business Foster a culture of learning, collaboration, and engineering excellence Business Development & Client Engagement Support and lead business development activities, including: Identifying and sourcing new opportunities Developing winning proposals and bids Leading technical discussions with customers and partners Represent Element through conferences, publications, and industry forums Build and maintain strong client relationships across highly regulated sectors Values & Culture Actively contribute to and promote Element’s core values: Care | Integrity | Progress Engage positively within a multi-disciplinary, innovative engineering team Qualifications & Professional Status Bachelor’s degree (2:1 or above), master’s degree, or PhD in: Mechanical, Structural, or Aerospace Engineering Applied Mathematics, Physics, or related discipline Chartered Engineer (CEng) or actively working towards chartership Technical Expertise 10 years’ experience in structural analysis and integrity assessment Strong understanding of: Engineering material behaviour Thermo-mechanical fatigue Fracture mechanics and crack propagation Contact and nonlinear behaviour Proven track record delivering projects involving: Structural design and assessment Stress and durability analysis Fracture and failure investigations Tools & Programming Significant experience with industry-standard tools such as: ANSYS, Abaqus, NASTRAN, CalculiX Demonstrated ability to extend solver capability via user subroutines or scripting Proficiency or working knowledge of: Python, MATLAB, VBA, C#, or C/C++ Leadership & Communication Confident technical leader with the credibility to guide teams and clients Experience mentoring engineers and supporting leadership development Strong communicator with a customer-focused mindset Ideally able to demonstrate a strong professional network within regulated industries Why Join Element Digital Engineering? Your Benefits Package Allocated annual budget for training & professional development Institution and chartership fees fully paid Hybrid and flexible working arrangements Performance-related bonus scheme 25 days annual leave 8 UK bank holidays Life insurance Free refreshments and snacks in the office Access to diverse, technically challenging projects across global industries A supportive, values-driven culture that encourages innovation and growth Make an Impact This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of structural analysis capability within a globally respected engineering organisation, while continuing to work on some of the most challenging and rewarding engineering problems in industry. If you are driven by technical excellence, leadership, and real-world engineering impact, we would love to hear from you. Element is one of the fastest growing testing, inspection and certification businesses in the world. Globally we have more than 9,000 brilliant minds operating from 270 sites across 30 countries. Together we share an ambitious purpose to ‘Make tomorrow safer than today’. When failure in use is not an option, we help customers make certain that their products, materials, processes and services are safe, compliant and fit for purpose. From early R&D, through complex regulatory approvals and into production, our global laboratory network of scientists, engineers, and technologists support customers to achieve assurance over product quality, sustainable outcomes, and market access. While we are proud of our global reach, working at Element feels like being part of a smaller company. We empower you to take charge of your career, and reward excellence and integrity with growth and development. Industries across the world depend on our care, attention to detail and the absolute accuracy of our work. The role we have to play in creating a safer world is much bigger than our organization. At Element, we always take pride in putting our people first. We are an equal opportunity employer that recognizes diversity and inclusion as fundamental to our Vision of becoming “the world’s most trusted testing partner”. All suitably qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment on the basis of objective work related criteria and without regard for the following: age, disability, ethnic origin, gender, marital status, race, religion, responsibility of dependents, sexual orientation, or gender identity or other characteristics in accordance with the applicable governing laws or other characteristics in accordance with the applicable governing laws.