Build Technician

Safran

Newport

On-site

GBP 28,000 - 36,000

Full time

40 hours ago
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Benefits offered by this job

33 days holiday
Industry leading pension scheme
Private medical cover
Cycle to work
Life Assurance
Benefits platform
Enhanced family friendly policies
Annual share save schemes
Safran University training

Job summary

Safran Seats in the United Kingdom is seeking a Build Technician to support the development and industrialisation of new aircraft seating products. You will assemble, test, and refine prototype seats, acting as a bridge between engineering and production to ensure robustness and manufacturability for series production.

Working hands-on with cutting-edge aerospace products, you will support NPI projects, identify design and assembly issues early, propose improvements, and drive continuous

Qualifications

  • BTEC Level 3 in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent experience/apprenticeship).
  • Experience in aerospace or automotive manufacturing environments.
  • Ability to read and interpret 2D engineering drawings.
  • Hands-on assembly experience using mechanical fixings (fasteners, rivets, bonding, etc.).
  • Good understanding of materials (metal, composites, etc.).
  • Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
  • Good communication skills and ability to work cross-functionally.
  • Basic IT skills (MS Office) and ability to work with engineering systems.
  • Ability to work independently and manage priorities under pressure.

Responsibilities

  • Building prototype and development seat assemblies from CAD data and engineering instructions.
  • Checking parts and assemblies against drawings, specifications, and design intent.
  • Identifying and reporting build issues, and supporting RCA.
  • Proposing practical improvements to enhance product manufacturability and assembly efficiency.
  • Supporting design reviews with feedback from a build and assembly perspective.
  • Reworking and modifying parts to test new design solutions.
  • Developing, validating, and improving process work instructions.
  • Recording build times to support cycle time calculation and production readiness.
  • Supporting production teams during product ramp-up and training operators.
  • Working closely with engineering, quality, and operations teams to meet airworthiness and quality requirements.
  • Contributing to continuous improvement initiatives (5C, 5S, Lean practices).

Skills

Reading 2D drawings
Hands-on assembly
Materials knowledge
Problem-solving
Communication
Independence under pressure
MS Office
Cross-functional collaboration

Education

BTEC Level 3 in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent)

Tools

CAD software (3D models)
ERP/MRP systems

Job description

Safran is an international high-technology group operating in the fields of aerospace (propulsion, equipment and interiors), space and defense. Its mission is to contribute sustainably to a safer world, where air transport becomes ever more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Present on every continent, the Group employs 110,000 people and generated €31.3 billion in revenue in 2025. Safran holds, either independently or through partnerships, leading global or European positions in its markets.

Safran was ranked second in the Aerospace & Defense sector in TIME magazine's ""World's Best Companies 2025"" ranking.

With more than one million seats installed across the fleets of the world's leading airlines, Safran Seats is one of the global leaders in passenger, crew, aircraft and helicopter seating, delivering innovative, high value-added solutions.

At Safran, excellence is a journey - and we'd love you to be a part of it.

As a trusted global leader in aerospace, defence, and space, we are proud to be a company where diversity, innovation, and opportunity come together to shape a sustainable future where we can all succeed together through a shared vision.

Are you interested in working at the business end of Aerospace, where airline brand meets innovative passenger experience? Then your next opportunity could be with Safran Seats, an industry award winning, premium designer and manufacturer of First and Business Class seating and technology. Our passenger experience prides itself on innovation, customization, quality and industrial design.

Your Role

As a Build Technician, you will play a key role in the development and industrialisation of new aircraft seating products. Acting as a vital link between engineering and production, you will assemble, test, and refine prototype seats to ensure they are robust, manufacturable, and ready for series production.

Working hands-on with cutting-edge aerospace products, you will support New Product Introduction (NPI) projects by identifying design and assembly issues early, proposing improvements, and helping drive continuous improvement throughout the development lifecycle.

Key responsibilities include:
  • Building prototype and development seat assemblies from CAD data and engineering instructions
  • Checking parts and assemblies against drawings, specifications, and design intent
  • Identifying and reporting build issues, and supporting root cause analysis (RCA)
  • Proposing practical improvements to enhance product manufacturability and assembly efficiency
  • Supporting design reviews with feedback from a build and assembly perspective
  • Reworking and modifying parts to test new design solutions
  • Developing, validating, and improving process work instructions
  • Recording build times to support cycle time calculation and production readiness
  • Supporting production teams during product ramp-up and training operators
  • Working closely with engineering, quality, and operations teams to meet airworthiness and quality requirements
  • Contributing to continuous improvement initiatives (5C, 5S, Lean practices)

Looking after the people who make Safran great is our priority. We offer a range of flexible benefits designed to support you-both in and out of work, including:

  • 33 days holiday (including bank holidays)
  • Industry leading pension scheme with salary sacrifice employer contributions up to 10%.
  • Private medical cover (to include Digital GP and rapid access Physio with no excess) with ability to upgrade level of benefit and cover family members.
  • Access to salary sacrifice benefits scheme including cycle to work
  • 4 x Life Assurance
  • Interactive benefits platform including wide range of discretionary benefits including technology, retail benefits, income protection.
  • Enhanced family friendly policies and benefits (enhanced maternity and paternity leave) and employee -assistance programme
  • Annual share save schemes.
  • Opportunities for career advancement and personal growth. Benefit from support through Safran University and our internal Training and Development Schools
Here, we craft excellence together.

We know that some candidates may be put off applying for jobs where they don't meet 100% of the criteria outlined in the advert. We encourage anybody to apply if you can demonstrate a variety of skills and experience relevant to the requirements of this role. Please let us know if you would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments to the hiring process that may better facilitate your participation.

We celebrate our differences and believe they make us stronger. We know that a fulfilling work environment is a key driver for innovative ideas and team success.

Why Safran?
  • A global presence: Be part of a global aerospace, defence & space business with over 100,000 colleagues across 300 sites in 30 countries.
  • Inclusive & empowering environment: We celebrate our differences and believe they make us stronger.
  • Innovation at the core: Join our mission to decarbonise aerospace and make the world a safer place.
  • Mobility & training opportunities: We support your career growth through development, training, and mobility opportunities.
  • A culture of excellence: Join a collaborative team driven by quality, integrity, and continuous improvement.
Get involved

We have a number of groups and forums across our sites that you can get involved with, including Women at Safran, Diversity at Safran, Sports Clubs, STEM ambassadors, Employee Forum, Charity Partnerships and Wellbeing Programs.

If you're ready to take your career to new heights and be part of a company that's crafting the future of flight, apply today.

What You'll Bring
Essential
  • BTEC Level 3 in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent experience/apprenticeship)
  • Experience in aerospace or automotive manufacturing environments
  • Ability to read and interpret 2D engineering drawings
  • Hands-on assembly experience using mechanical fixings (fasteners, rivets, bonding, etc.)
  • Good understanding of materials (metal, composites, etc.)
  • Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail
  • Good communication skills and ability to work cross-functionally
  • Basic IT skills (MS Office) and ability to work with engineering systems
  • Ability to work independently and manage priorities under pressure
Desirable
  • Knowledge of machining operations (lathe, milling, CNC)
  • Experience with CAD model interrogation (3D software)
  • Understanding of composites and additive manufacturing
  • Experience in sheet metal work
  • Familiarity with MRP/ERP systems (e.g., BaaN)
  • Experience creating or improving work instructions and assembly processes
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