A stress engineer creates structural stress tolerance standards and conducts testing on aircraft, boats, and their components. Many people in this field work for companies that design and manufacture such items. Others may be hired regulatory agencies that set basic health and safety standards. Government agencies may also use stress engineers for major public works projects such as bridges, tunnels, and other structures. A stress engineer may be required to travel to inspect sites and equipment as well as meet with clients.
This job necessitates a thorough understanding of the various types of structural stress and the circumstances that can lead to them. Wind shear and heavy loads, for example, must be dealt with aircraft. Mathematical modeling can be used to simulate different scenarios and see how components react. Stress tolerances must take into account the worst-case scenarios. Engineers can make recommendations for materials, fabrication techniques, and other construction parameters to ensure that equipment meets specifications.
A stress engineer’s job may also include functional testing. Technicians can put components and materials through rigorous stress testing in laboratories to see how they will perform in the field. If the materials fail these tests, they must be examined to see how and why they failed. This data aids engineers in determining how to redesign materials and components to prevent failure.
A stress engineer may also be used in a forensic investigation a company. When equipment fails, investigators representing a variety of interests often want to inspect it to figure out what went wrong. Real-world failures can provide valuable information to manufacturers, allowing them to avoid similar incidents in the future. Liability may also be determined through investigations; for example, a pilot may have made a mistake, or a component may have been installed incorrectly during manufacture or maintenance.
For people in this field, advanced degrees in engineering are usually required. Stress engineers may have worked in similar industries and settings for several years. A stress engineer’s focus is usually on a specific subject of interest, such as business jets or naval destroyers. These engineers want to ensure that they have a thorough understanding of the systems they work with and the conditions in which they are used so that they can provide the highest quality services to their employers and clients. In order to work in the military, you must be able to pass a background check and handle sensitive information.