Cartridge & Rocket Motor Technician

Recruit Engineering; Chalgrove; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Base salary £28.5k-£29k

Shift allowance after 6 months

4 on 4 off shift pattern

Early finish Fridays

Benefits package

Long-term stability

Job summary

Recruit Engineering is seeking a Cartridge & Rocket Motor Technician in Chalgrove to join a precision pyrotechnic manufacturing operation. You will radiograph, test, inspect, and assemble cartridges and rocket motors in a safety-critical setting using advanced radiography equipment and SAP for tracking.

The role starts with a 6‑month days onboarding, then moves to a 4 on 4 off shift (07:00-16:30) with a 22.6% allowance, raising total package to about £34,930‑£35,540.

Qualifications

• Experience in an NDT or testing environment.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, route cards, and relevant documentation
• Level 1 Radiographer certification (ASNT or PCN) - essential
• Solid data analysis and PC skills
• Good verbal communication skills
• Experience using digital X-ray systems desirable
• SAP experience desirable

Responsibilities

• Perform radiography using DR and CT equipment to verify assembly.
• Proof firing of cartridges and rocket motors and analyze firing data
• Measure helium escapement rates with a mass spectrometer
• Visually inspect cartridges and rocket motors to drawings and specifications
• Assemble category 1 cartridges per build plans and drawings
• Inkjet marking, packing, and labeling for shipment
• Transport cartridges between stores and process rooms
• Assist with risk assessments and safety audits
• Record progress, batch locations, and non-conformances in SAP

Skills

NDT experience

Data analysis

Verbal communication

Read drawings

Education

Level 1 Radiographer (ASNT/PCN)

Tools

SAP

Digital X-ray systems

Job description

Cartridge & Rocket Motor Technician

Chalgrove | £28,500-£29,000 | Permanent

A globally recognised aerospace manufacturer in Chalgrove is looking for a Cartridge & Rocket Motor Technician to join its pyrotechnic manufacturing operation. You'll be assembling, inspecting, testing, and packing cartridges and rocket motors in a precision, safety-critical environment - working with advanced radiography equipment, mass spectrometers, and proof firing chambers on live energetic components.

What you'll be doing:

• Performing radiography using DR and CT equipment to detect anomalies and verify correct assembly of cartridge and rocket assemblies
• Proof firing of cartridges and rocket motors including assembly and setup of chambers and analysis of firing data
• Measuring helium escapement rates using a mass spectrometer to agreed test limits
• Visual inspection of cartridges and rocket motors to engineering drawings, company requirements, and specifications
• Assembly of category 1 cartridges following company build plans, process work instructions, and engineering drawings
• Inkjet marking, packing into licensed packaging, and labelling for customer shipment
• Transportation of cartridges and rocket motors between stores, magazines, and process rooms
• Contributing to risk assessments, safe systems of work, explosive safety, and 5S audits
• Recording all work in progress, batch tracking, component locations, and non-conformances accurately in SAP

What you need:

• Experience in an NDT or testing environment
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, route cards, and relevant documentation
• Level 1 Radiographer certification (ASNT or PCN) - essential
• Solid data analysis and PC skills
• Good verbal communication skills
• Experience using digital X-ray systems desirable
• SAP experience desirable

What's on offer:

• £28,500-£29,000 base salary
• Initial 6-month days period to learn the role thoroughly
• Moving to 4 on 4 off (07:00-16:30) after 6 months, with a 22.6% shift allowance - bringing total package to approximately £34,930-£35,540
• Early finish Fridays on day shift (08:00-12:00)
• Strong benefits package
• Long-term stability with over a decade of secured contracts

This is a specialist role working with live pyrotechnic components in a tightly regulated environment. If you have an NDT or radiography background and are looking for something genuinely different, this is a rare opportunity.

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