Materials & Processes Engineer

Thales; Belfast; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense contractor is looking for a Materials & Processes Engineer in Belfast. The role involves hardware development for weapon systems and quality assurance through material testing. Candidates should have a master's in aerospace or mechanical engineering and hands-on lab experience. Essential skills include knowledge of material selection and the ability to work effectively with suppliers. This position offers a dynamic work environment with opportunities for professional growth.

Benefits

Career development opportunities

Flexible working hours

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience in a practical lab environment required.
• Understanding of Materials Engineering and material selection needed.
• Ability to identify risks and determine opportunities is essential.

Responsibilities

• Conduct hardware development for weapon systems.
• Ensure quality through material testing and strength assessments.
• Select appropriate materials and surface treatments.

Skills

Practical lab skills

Materials Engineering knowledge

Risk identification

Supplier interaction

Education

Masters degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering

Tools

Materials Testing Equipment

Job description

Location: Belfast, United Kingdom Thales people architect solutions that are relied upon to deliver operational advantage at every decisive moment throughout the mission. Defence and armed forces customers rely on us to deliver the full range of defensive systems for land, sea, and air. From early warning, to threat neutralisation, our platforms cover all levels from very short-range systems, to extended protection across the entire battle-space including Airspace Mobility Solutions, Vehicles and Tactical Systems and Missile Defence, Optronics, and Radar. Together we offer fantastic opportunities for committed employees to learn and develop their career with us. At Thales UK, we research, develop, and supply technology and services that impact the lives of millions of people each day to make life better, and keep us safer. We innovate across the major industries of Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space. Your health and well-being matters to us and that’s why we offer you the flexibility to do what’s important to you; whether that’s part time hours, job sharing, home working, or the ability to flex your start and finish times. Where possible, we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions.

Primary Purpose of the Role

The successful candidate will work as part of a team of Materials & Processes Engineers across a number of Thales Belfast’s multi-discipline programmes. Use of materials testing equipment and knowledge of material selection and surface treatments are important aspects of the role, and engineers participate in all phases of the hardware development lifecycle.

Principal Relationships

• Reporting to the Senior Specialist Materials and Processes Engineer on a day-to-day basis and Aerodynamics, Structures and Materials Head of Discipline as Line Manager and on programmes to the Engineering Delivery Manager / Work Package Manager
• Working closely with Industry, Quality and Engineering
• Liaising with external suppliers and customer representatives

Key Responsibilities and Tasks

• Hardware development for weapons and weapons integration systems
• Quality Assurance Material Testing
• Sub–Assembly Strength Testing
• Material Selection – Paints, Adhesives, Sealants, Polymers, Composites
• Surface Treatment Selection – Chemical Conversion, Anodising, Electroless Nickel
• Failure Analysis – Material Preparation, Image Analysis, Optical Microscopy
• Material Obsolescence
• Shelf Life Extension
• Concessions and NCRs
• Provide support on an as required basis to the wider Materials and Processes team

Skills and Experience

Essential

• Ability to work in a practical lab based “hands‑on” environment
• Knowledge of Materials Engineering
• Ability to identify risks and opportunities, take ownership and act with integrity
• Ability to interact with suppliers

Desirable

• Experience of Engineering and Military Standards
• Knowledge of Material selection and Surface Treatments
• Experience using Materials Testing Equipment

Values & Behaviours

The successful candidate will:

• display innovation and self-motivation;
• exhibit good communication skills;
• possess a passion for their career choice, and be abreast of the latest developments in product development and production support
• be able to work efficiently within a team, and individually;
• be able to accommodate working in a high pressure environment;
• demonstrate dedication and determination in assigned tasks

Additionally, the successful candidate will exhibit the following core Thales behaviours:

• Imagine the future
• Inspire to engage
• Deliver user‑centric solutions
• Acts with agility
• Grow others and self
• Include others

Qualifications

Essential

• Masters degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering

Desirable

• PhD in aerospace or mechanical engineering

In line with Thales' Baseline Security requirements, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK and employment and/or education history for up to three years. Some vacancies may require full Security Clearance which can require further evidence to be provided. For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) Agency.

At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80,000 employees in 68 countries our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad, in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working.

Thales UK is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier‑free recruitment process. We will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neuro‑diverse applicants or those with a disability or long‑term condition can be their best during the recruitment process. To request an adjustment, if you need this job advert in an alternative format or if you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Resourcing Ops for mid to senior roles, or the Early Careers Team for graduate and apprentice roles.

Great journeys start here, apply now!