Materials and Processes Engineer

McFly & Brown; Zuid-Holland; On-site; EUR 61,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

McFly & Brown in Leiden is seeking an experienced Materials and Processes Engineer with a strong aerospace background to join the Engineering department. You will ensure reliability and qualification of materials and manufacturing processes for advanced space systems, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and international suppliers.

The position is full-time, initially offered through a one-year secondment with potential for permanent employment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, Metallurgy, Mechanical Engineering or a closely related technical discipline.
• At least 3 years of relevant engineering experience, preferably with substantial exposure to materials qualification, manufacturing process validation or materials-related technical investigations.
• Strong technical understanding of metallic and composite materials, adhesive bonding, joining technologies, material properties and their application in high-reliability engineering environments.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct or coordinate laboratory testing, failure analysis, root cause investigations and technical assessments of manufacturing non-conformances.
• Excellent analytical, technical reporting and stakeholder communication skills, with professional fluency in English. You reside in the Netherlands and meet the applicable export-control eligibility requirements.
• Preferred: Experience within the aerospace or space industry, familiarity with ECSS standards, materials and processes qualification, supplier assessments or digital engineering tools.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert technical guidance on material selection, characterization and qualification, including metallic materials, composites, adhesives, bonding technologies and advanced joining processes.
• Lead and support material testing, verification activities, failure investigations and root cause analyses, translating technical findings into corrective and preventive actions.
• Evaluate and qualify manufacturing processes, ensuring compliance with applicable engineering specifications, ECSS standards and space industry quality requirements.
• Investigate complex material- and process-related non-conformances, assess technical risks and develop robust engineering solutions in collaboration with design, manufacturing and quality teams.
• Coordinate laboratory investigations, review test results, prepare technical documentation and qualification reports, and conduct technical assessments at supplier and manufacturing facilities.

Skills

Materials science

Aerospace qualification

English fluency

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Materials Science/Engineering

Job description

Space Industry · Leiden · Advanced Materials Engineering & ECSS Qualification · € salary to be discussed gross/month

Introduction

Are you an experienced Materials and Processes Engineer with a strong technical background in advanced materials, manufacturing processes and aerospace qualification standards? For a leading international organization operating at the forefront of European space technology, we are looking for a technically skilled Materials and Processes Engineer to join the Engineering department in Leiden.

In this position, you will play a key role in ensuring the reliability, performance and qualification of materials and manufacturing processes used in advanced space systems. You will contribute to complex engineering programmes involving satellite solar arrays, launcher structures and optical communication technologies, working closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams, manufacturing specialists and international suppliers.

Your Responsibilities

As a Materials and Processes Engineer, you will act as a technical specialist responsible for material selection, process qualification, technical investigations and compliance with demanding aerospace engineering standards.

• Provide expert technical guidance on material selection, characterization and qualification, including metallic materials, composites, adhesives, bonding technologies and advanced joining processes.
• Lead and support material testing, verification activities, failure investigations and root cause analyses, translating technical findings into corrective and preventive actions.
• Evaluate and qualify manufacturing processes, ensuring compliance with applicable engineering specifications, ECSS standards and space industry quality requirements.
• Investigate complex material- and process-related non-conformances, assess technical risks and develop robust engineering solutions in collaboration with design, manufacturing and quality teams.
• Coordinate laboratory investigations, review test results, prepare technical documentation and qualification reports, and conduct technical assessments at supplier and manufacturing facilities.

Company Profile

Our client is an internationally recognized technology organization specializing in the development and manufacturing of advanced space systems. Operating from its engineering and production facilities in Leiden, the company contributes to major European and international space programmes, including projects for the European Space Agency (ESA).

Its portfolio includes high-performance satellite solar arrays, structural components for launch vehicles and advanced optical communication systems.

You will join a multidisciplinary engineering environment where technical excellence, innovation and product reliability are central to daily operations. Engineers work closely with manufacturing teams, quality specialists and external partners to solve complex technical challenges and continuously improve materials and processes.

The organization offers a technically demanding environment with a strong focus on engineering expertise, knowledge sharing and practical problem-solving.

Your Profile

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, Metallurgy, Mechanical Engineering or a closely related technical discipline.
• At least 3 years of relevant engineering experience, preferably with substantial exposure to materials qualification, manufacturing process validation or materials-related technical investigations.
• Strong technical understanding of metallic and composite materials, adhesive bonding, joining technologies, material properties and their application in high-reliability engineering environments.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct or coordinate laboratory testing, failure analysis, root cause investigations and technical assessments of manufacturing non-conformances.
• Excellent analytical, technical reporting and stakeholder communication skills, with professional fluency in English. You reside in the Netherlands and meet the applicable export-control eligibility requirements.

Preferred: Experience within the aerospace or space industry, familiarity with ECSS standards, materials and processes qualification, supplier assessments or digital engineering tools.

If you do not meet every requirement but recognize yourself in this position, we still encourage you to apply!

What We Offer

• A competitive gross monthly salary, depending on your technical expertise and professional experience. The exact salary range will be discussed during the recruitment process.
• A full-time position of 40 hours per week, initially offered through a one-year secondment arrangement with the possibility of permanent employment.
• The opportunity to contribute to technically complex European space programmes, working on mission-critical materials and manufacturing technologies.
• A challenging international engineering environment with close collaboration across engineering, manufacturing, quality assurance and specialized suppliers.
• A position based in Leiden, with an anticipated start date of 1 January 2027 and 1 February 2027 as the latest possible starting date. Holiday entitlement will be confirmed during the employment process.