Senior Material and Process Engineer, Composites

Safran; England; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace technology firm in the UK is seeking a Lead Materials and Process Specialist to head the development of innovative composite products. The role involves authoring material specifications, creating test plans, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Ideal candidates will have strong expertise in Polymer Matrix Composites and experience with aerospace applications. A competitive salary and benefits are being offered.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Company performance bonus scheme

Pension scheme - up to 10% employer contribution

Private medical insurance

Comprehensive health cash plan

25 days annual leave + bank holidays

Flexible benefits programme

Structured training & opportunities to progress

Qualifications

• Excellent knowledge of Polymer Matrix Composites (PMCs), including matrix types, fibres, manufacturing technologies, and in-service performance.
• Experience working with OEMs and/or regulators to certify PMC materials and structures for aerospace applications.

Responsibilities

• Authoring material and processing specifications for resin, fibre, composite processes, inspection, and assembly.
• Specifying detailed test plans for physical, chemical, and mechanical property characterisation.
• Performing statistical analysis of test results and producing high-quality technical reports.
• Ensuring compliance with national and global chemical legislation.
• Providing effective problem-solving support for M&P-related issues.

Skills

Excellent knowledge of Polymer Matrix Composites (PMCs)

Experience authoring M&P specifications for composite material systems

Experience working with OEMs and/or regulators

Hands-on approach to developing processes and methods

Clear, collaborative, and open communication skills

In-depth understanding of statistical analysis

Education

Degree in Materials Science, Polymer Science, Mechanical Engineering, or related field

Job description

What do we offer?

• Competitive salary
• Company performance bonus scheme
• Pension scheme - up to 10% employer contribution
• Private medical insurance
• Comprehensive health cash plan
• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays
• Flexible benefits programme (buy & sell holiday allowance, discounted gym memberships, Maternity/ adoption leave- up to 52 weeks, first 26 weeks at full pay, subsequent 26 at 50% (basic pay), and Paternity/Non-Pregnant Parent/ Co-adopter leave 4 weeks full pay)
• Structured training & opportunities to progress

What does the role look like?

You will be the lead Materials and Process (M&P) Specialist within a team developing new composite products and processing technologies. In particular, you will lead the introduction of a novel composite material system, produced using a high-rate manufacturing process that is new to the aerospace sector. This is a pivotal role within our engineering team, offering the opportunity to work in a challenging, fast-paced, and innovative environment.

What will your day-to-day responsibilities look like?

• Authoring material and processing specifications for resin, fibre, composite processes, inspection, and assembly.
• Specifying detailed test plans for physical, chemical, and mechanical property characterisation.
• Developing new coupon and element-level test methods to address gaps in ASTM and other industry standards.
• Performing statistical analysis of test results and producing high-quality technical reports suitable for customer submission.
• Ensuring compliance with national and global chemical legislation (e.g., REACh).
• Keeping business strategy aligned with the latest emerging M&P technologies.
• Defining, with support from metallic M&P experts, specific metals and associated processes (e.g., heat treatment, corrosion protection).
• Providing effective problem-solving support for M&P-related issues.

What will you bring to the role?

Essential skills:

• Excellent knowledge of Polymer Matrix Composites (PMCs), including matrix types, fibres, manufacturing technologies, and in-service performance.
• Experience authoring M&P specifications for composite material systems.
• Experience working with OEMs and/or regulators to certify PMC materials and structures for aerospace applications.

Desirable skills:

• Knowledge of dry fibre processing and resin infusion technologies.
• Experience developing test methods for PMC material characterisation.
• Familiarity with thermal analysis methods, including DSC and DMA.
• Degree in Materials Science, Polymer Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• Highly motivated, with the ability to work on their own initiative
• Hands-on approach to developing processes and methods.
• Clear, collaborative, and open communication skills
• Flexible and adaptable, with the ability to work in a dynamic, inclusive team culture
• In-depth understanding of statistical analysis.
• Comprehensive grounding in solid mechanics and first-principle analysis
• Interest in contributing to industry working groups such as ASTM D30 and CMH-17.

About us:

Safran is an international high-technology group, operating in the aviation (propulsion, equipment and interiors), defense and space markets. Its core purpose is to contribute to a safer, more sustainable world, where air transport is more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Safran has a global presence, with 100,000 employees and sales of 27.3 billion euros in 2024, and holds, alone or in partnership, world or regional leadership positions in its core markets.

Safran is in the 2nd place in the aerospace and defense industry in TIME magazine's "World's best companies 2024" ranking.

Safran Electronics & Defense offers its customers onboard intelligence solutions allowing them to understand the environment, reduce mental load and guarantee a trajectory, even in critical situations, in all environments: on land, at sea, in the sky or space. The company harnesses the expertise of its 13,000 employees towards these three functions: observe, decide and guide, for the civil and military markets.