Laboratory Technician - Metallurgy

Howmet Aerospace; Leicester; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A global engineering solutions provider in Leicester is hiring a Laboratory Technician - Metallurgy to support laboratory activities and ensure product integrity. The role requires a minimum of 2 years in a laboratory setting, strong metallurgy knowledge, and familiarity with aerospace standards. Candidates should possess a degree in metallurgy and be computer literate. Experience with Nadcap requirements is preferred.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years' experience in a laboratory role with metallurgy knowledge.
• Experience in the Aerospace Industry and understanding of AS9100 and NADCAP.
• Hold a metallography qualification.

Responsibilities

• Support day-to-day laboratory activities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ensure product integrity and timely testing to meet customer deadlines.
• Maintain laboratory equipment and calibration schedules.

Skills

Metallurgy

Mechanical property testing

Heat treatment effects

Microstructural analysis

Interpretation of technical specifications

Experience with Nadcap requirements

Computer literacy (Excel & Word)

Good communication skills

Education

Degree in Metallurgy or related field

Job description

Overview

Laboratory Technician - Metallurgy based in Leicester, Meridian Business Park, LE19 1WH. Day shift: 7.30 am to 4.15 pm Monday to Thursday and Friday 7.30 am to 12 pm, with potential overtime at month end or as required. This role is with Howmet Aerospace, a global provider of advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries.

Key responsibilities and expectations include supporting day-to-day laboratory activities in a fast-paced environment, ensuring product integrity and timely testing to meet customer deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Experience of Metallurgy, mechanical property testing, heat treatment effects and microstructural analysis is required.
• Interpretation of technical specifications for processing exotic alloys (e.g. Nimonics).
• Test methods including Vickers and Rockwell hardness, tensile, shear, fatigue, stress durability testing and basic optical metallography (relation to forging and heat treatment).
• Exposure to coating, electrochemical/corrosion properties, and aerospace standards is advantageous.
• Experience with Nadcap requirements is expected.
• Work in a busy laboratory assisting with day-to-day issues to meet demanding customer deadlines (e.g. P&W, RR, GE).
• Provide technical support to internal and external customers.
• Maintain laboratory equipment and calibration schedules.
• Liaise with other departments to prioritise batches for testing.
• Assist in training Howmet Fastening Systems personnel as required.
• Keep work areas tidy and professional; demonstrate sound decision-making and gravitas.
• Some report writing and numerical calculations required.
• Ensure product integrity conforms to customer and specification requirements prior to release.
• Experience of operating mechanical testing machines; aerospace experience is advantageous.
• Maintain quality standards in line with the Quality manual and NADCAP requirements.
• Be an interactive team player, promote continual improvement, and support multi-skilling and training towards world-class standards; ideally degree-qualified.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in a laboratory role with metallurgy knowledge; laboratory experience is essential.
• Experience in the Aerospace Industry and AS9100, NADCAP, NDT (FPI & MPI).
• Hold a metallography qualification and experience reviewing/testing material grain size, crystal structure and defects.
• Computer literate with Microsoft Excel & Word for traceability and audit requirements; good communication skills.

About Us

Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE: HWM) is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and a leading global provider of advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries. Our primary businesses include jet engine components, aerospace fastening systems, titanium structural parts, and forged wheels. With revenue around $7.4 billion in 2024, our products support fuel efficiency and lightweighting across aerospace and defense applications.