Energetics Chemist

Roxel is an Anglo-French Company that designs, develops and manufactures a range of solid propellant rocket motors for use in tactical missiles. Its operations are spread across several sites in the UK and France and it has an annual turnover of about £150M and nearly 1000 staff. The UK operations are entirely based at Summerfield, Kidderminster.

OVERVIEW & SCOPE OF ROLE

The Energetics and Materials Team are responsible for the research, development, clearance and manufacture of materials and products to meet demanding requirements. These requirements include physical, chemical, thermal, mechanical and ballistic properties under extreme conditions of temperature, pressure, vibration and age.

The successful candidate will work alongside other scientists within the team, as well as colleagues within the wider production/engineering teams to develop and manufacture high performance rocket motors and related systems. The candidate will also work closely on the research, development and understanding of key materials, to support current and future applications. This will involve small scale manufacture and testing of materials, alongside reporting of this research.

The candidate would be expected to develop expertise of certain energetic materials and related processes within Roxel UK, with the ability to present this information to internal and external stakeholders. Given the nature of the role, it is unlikely that candidates will have knowledge and experience in all aspects of the role. Hence, the successful candidate will attend specialist training courses and conferences to develop their expertise, alongside on the job training to develop the necessary skills and competences.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical Responsibilities

• Developing and monitoring propellant to meet energy, mechanical and ballistic requirements.
• Improving, driving efficiencies and standardising associated manufacturing processes.
• Qualifying propellant and materials in accordance with recognised defence and internal standards.
• Managing materials (stocks, quality, performance, legislation) to meet strict design requirements.
• Supporting, monitoring and improving associated manufacturing processes.
• Investigating and resolving material and related manufacturing problems.
• Monitoring for material obsolescence and qualifying the replacements.
• Clearance of ingredients and finished materials for manufacturing.
• Technically supporting production on a day to day basis – compiling methods and documents to ensure compliance with configured standards.
• Manufacturing and testing research materials to known and novel processing methods – to include mixing technology.
• Helping develop and define future research themes to align with the national picture.

EXPERIENCE & BACKGROUND

Qualifications:

Essential Qualifications

• Higher level qualification in science-based subject, such as HNC/HND.

Desirable Experience

• Degree in chemistry.
• Being a member/accredited by a chartered institute would also be beneficial.

Experience:

Essential Experience

• A genuine interest and aptitude in chemistry/material science, with a high degree of self-motivation.

Desirable Experience

• Significant practical experience in a disciplined/technical manufacturing/process environment.

Person Specification

• Genuine interest and aptitude in chemistry and its application to practical problems.
• Communicate and work effectively with other people and organisations.
• Interpreting customer requirements and devising solutions.
• Good interpersonal and team working skills.
• Reporting writing and presenting.
• Proficient in MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• A high degree of self-motivation, solution focused.

The role is not lab based, however some testing of materials is occasionally required. This is an exciting opportunity to work in the field of rocket propulsion and become a real rocket scientist. As such, the successful candidate will be given their own personal development plan and extensive training in order to develop their expertise and reach their potential.