Laboratory Technician - Metallurgy

Howmet Aerospace; Leicester; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Life assurance

Annual bonus

Healthcare plan

Employee assistance programme

On-site occupational health

Company uniform

Job summary

Howmet Aerospace in Leicester is seeking a Laboratory Technician in Metallurgy to support metal testing, heat treatment evaluation and microstructure analysis in a fast-paced aerospace lab.

You will work with challenging alloys (Nimonics), carry out hardness tests and tensile tests, and ensure calibration and documentation for NADCAP-compliant processes.

Qualifications

• Experience in metallurgy, mechanical property testing, heat treatment effects and microstructural analysis.
• Interpretation of technical specifications for exotic alloys (e.g. Nimonics).
• Experience with hardness testing (Vickers, Rockwell), tensile, shear, fatigue tests and basic optical metallography.
• Exposure to coating, electrochemical/corrosion properties and aerospace standards is advantageous.
• Experience with NADCAP requirements is expected.

Responsibilities

• Work in a busy laboratory assisting with day-to-day testing to meet customer deadlines (e.g. P&W, RR, GE).
• Maintain and calibrate laboratory equipment and ensure traceability of results.
• Provide technical support to internal and external customers.

Skills

Metallurgy knowledge

Laboratory techniques

Quality testing

Attention to detail

Analytical thinking

Education

Degree in Metallurgy or Materials Science

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Job description

• Job Schedule Full time
• Remote Work Schedule Availability? None

Responsibilities

Job title: Laboratory Technician - Metallurgy

Compensation Package: Competitive Hourly rate in line with market rates

Competitive Benefits: Pension Scheme employer contribution up to 10%, Life Assurance 6 x Basic Annual Salary, annual bonus scheme, bronze cash healthcare plan, 24/7 Employee Assistance programme, on site Occupational Health, professional and clean site, company uniform and much more…

Prime Location:Leicester, Meridian Business Park, LE19 1WH

Working Times: Day Shift 7.30 am to 4.15 pm Monday to Thursday and Friday 7.30 am to 12 pm - flexibility to working overtime at month end or as required.

We are a leading global provider of advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries.

Our primary businesses focus on jet engine components, aerospace fastening systems and titanium structural parts necessary for mission-critical performance and efficiency in aerospace and defense applications, as well as forged wheels for commercial transportation. We are transforming the next phase of more fuel-efficient, quieter aerospace engines and sustainable ground transportation.

Job role

The key activities outlined below represent an overview only of the above position and should not be seen as a prescriptive list of activities. A flexible and responsive approach to this role is vital, together with the initiative in identifying and focusing on the needs of the business and its customers.

• Experience of Metallurgy, Mechanical property testing, Heat treatment effects and microstructural analysis is required.
• Attention to detail is paramount and the interpretation of technical specifications in relation to the processing of exotic alloy (e.g. Nimonics) necessary
• Experience of testing by means of Vickers and Rockwell hardness, Tensile Testing, Shear Testing, Fatigue testing, Stress Durability testing and basic optical metallography (especially with relation to Hot and Cold forging and associated heat treatment).
• Exposure to coating, electrochemical/corrosion properties, and Aerospace standards would be a distinct advantage.
• Experience of working within the confines of Nadcap requirements is also expected.
• Working in a busy laboratory assisting hands on with day to day issues for demanding customer deadlines e.g. P&W, RR, GE etc.
• Offer technical support to internal and external customers
• Ensure all laboratory equipment is maintained to the correct condition for use and is regularly calibrated.
• Liaise with other departments to prioritize batches of in-process and finished parts for testing through the laboratory.
• To assist in the training of Howmet Fastening Systems personnel as required
• Ensure all areas of control are kept in a tidy and professional manner
• Knowledge and Gravitas of personality to make decisions based on sound logic.
• Some report writing and numerical calculations will be required.
• To ensure product integrity conforms to customer and specification requirements prior to release
• Experience of working within busy Manufacturing environment.
• Experience of operating mechanical testing machines.
• Aerospace experience would be advantageous.
• To maintain company quality standards in line with the Quality manual and NADCAP requirements
• Be an interactive team player, promoting and being part of continual improvement, departmental multi-skilling and training in order to achieve world class standards

Qualifications

• Ideally Degree qualified
• A minimum of 2 years experience within a laboratory role is required with a bias of metallurgy knowledge
• Laboratory experience is essential
• Experience of working within the Aerospace Industry and AS9100, NADCAP, NDT (FPI & MPI)
• Hold a qualification in metallography and have relevant experience of reviewing and testing range of material grain size, Crystal Structure and defects
• Computer Literate Microsoft excel & Word for traceability and audit requirements. Good Communication skills .

About Us

Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE: HWM), headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a leading global provider of advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries. Our primary businesses focus on jet engine components, aerospace fastening systems, titanium structural parts and forged wheels. With $8.3 Billion in revenue in 2025, our products play a crucial role in enabling fuel efficiency and lightweighting, contributing to our customers’ success and making a positive impact on the world. To learn more about the way Howmet Aerospace Inc. is advancing the sustainability of our customers, markets, and communities where we operate, review the 2025 Environmental Social and Governance report at www.howmet.com/esg-report . Follow: LinkedIn , Twitter , Instagram , Facebook , and YouTube .

About the Team

Howmet Fastening Systems (HFS) is a business unit of Howmet Aerospace, headquartered in Torrance, California. We hold the number one global position in aerospace fastening systems, and we’re the North American leader in commercial transportation fasteners. Our high-tech, multi-material fastening systems are found nose to tail on aircraft and aerospace engines. Our products are also critical components of industrial gas turbines, automobiles, commercial transportation vehicles, and construction and industrial equipment.