How Do I Become a Stress Engineer?

To become a stress engineer you need to have a college degree in engineering and an interest in stress analysis. An in-depth knowledge of engineering principles and design techniques related to failure analysis, materials science, structural design, and reliability may also be needed for this job. Requirements for this position include a college degree and several years experience in the field of structural or stress analysis. Careers in this field include positions in the aerospace, aviation, construction, and manufacturing industries. The qualifications and training necessary to become a stress engineer will likely vary slightly based on the type of industry and the individual requirements of employers.

For those aspiring to become a stress engineer, specific training and education may be required by most employers. A bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or an engineering discipline related to the type of work in question is required. For example those wanting to work in the aerospace or aviation industries should concentrate on coursework, like aircraft stress analysis or aerospace design engineering, that are related to that field. General stress engineering courses might include those that cover external loads comprehension, load paths, and free body diagrams. Several years prior experience in a particular industry may also be preferred by some employers.

Those who want to become a stress engineer need the skills to solve challenging technical problems regarding the structural integrity of many different materials, parts, and structures. Looking for real-world, engineering solutions to maximize stress tolerance is one of the main functions of a stress engineer. A large number of stress engineers work in the aerospace and aircraft industries, but those who want to become a stress engineer may also find rewarding career opportunities in the automotive, nuclear power, petroleum, medical, and plastics manufacturing industries. Stress engineers typically work with and provide engineering support for plant engineers, facilities managers, project engineers, architects and land developers.

Stress engineers design, build, and analyze materials, parts, and structures to determine how strong they are. The primary responsibilities of the job include performing strength, stability, fatigue and failure analysis on various mechanical systems and parts. Stress engineers may also research finite elements, failure analysis, thermal effects on various materials, and fracture mechanics. Assigning other work to engineering personnel, coordinating their daily project tasks and reviewing their reports may be required of stress engineers in supervisory positions.