Tiny House Steel Frame Engineering

Job Title: Structural Engineer (AU) – Tiny House Steel Frame Optimization & Shop Drawings (Immediate 7-Day Turnaround) Job Description: We are seeking a highly responsive, detail-oriented Australian Structural/Mechanical Engineer to optimize and finalize the primary skeleton framework for a Tiny Home on Wheels (THOW). The engineer must have a thorough understanding of Australian standards for Tiny Homes on Wheels. Our primary engineering constraint is a strict total weight limit of 2200 kg ATM (Aggregate Trailer Mass). To hit this target, we have dropped heavy traditional lining options in favor of an ultra-lightweight, high-stiffness monocoque/stressed-skin design utilizing light-gauge galvanized steel profiles and double-sided aluminum composite (Ai Panel/ACP) skins. Note: The heavy-duty 486 kg trailer chassis section has already been fully designed and manufactured. Your scope is strictly limited to the wall and roof skeleton frame that mounts directly on top of this existing base. We need this structural frame engineering and shop drawings completed immediately so we can order materials and begin fabrication while the remaining interior fit-out details are ironed out in parallel. Key Responsibilities (Framing Phase Focus): • Frame Optimization & Weight Reductions: Review our layout and optimize the superstructure skeleton utilizing 38x25x1.6mm Galvanized RHS steel tube. Strip out unnecessary frame weight by maximizing vertical stud spacing (e.g., 600mm centers) and utilizing strategic corner gusset plates instead of heavy horizontal noggings, ensuring full structural integrity against highway-speed wind shear and transport vibrations. • Axle & Load Balancing: Calculate the correct geometric placement of our 350L Fresh Water and 350L Grey Water tank frames relative to the manufactured chassis, ensuring they are low-slung and perfectly balanced over the dual trailer axles to maintain code-compliant tow-ball/tongue weight distribution. • Manufacturing Deliverables: Provide a comprehensive Bill of Materials (BOM) for the steel order, an optimized linear cutting schedule for standard 8-metre trade lengths to completely eliminate metal waste, and precise fabrication drawings (welding joint layouts, corner gusset parameters, and door/window structural framing openings). • Compliance: Ensure the layout aligns with relevant light-gauge steel code frameworks and Australian vehicle trailer transport principles (VSB1 / AS/NZS 1163 C350L0 specs). Required Qualifications: • Qualified Structural or Mechanical Engineer based in Australia with verifiable experience in vehicle chassis, heavy-duty trailers, or light-gauge structural steel frameworks. • Advanced proficiency in CAD/BIM software (AutoCAD, Fusion360). • Immediate availability to start with a strict 7-day maximum deadline to deliver the structural frame package. To Apply, Please Confirm: 1. You have availability to start immediately and can deliver the complete framing package within a strict 7-day maximum turnaround. 2. Your specific experience engineering transportable frames, light-gauge steel, or mobile trailer bodies.