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- Tasks: Lead materials and processes for high-performance aerospace components in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join Safran, a global leader in aviation and defence, committed to sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, performance bonuses, private medical insurance, and flexible leave options.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in aerospace innovation while developing your engineering skills.
- Qualifications: Degree in Materials Science or Mechanical Engineering with aerospace experience required.
- Other info: Mentorship opportunities and career progression in a supportive team.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
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 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.
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 join the Safran Aerospace Composite Centre of Excellence in Banbury as a Senior Materials & Process Engineer, taking a technical lead role across materials and manufacturing processes for high-performance aerospace components. As a subject matter expert, you will be responsible for developing, validating and optimising materials and processes to ensure robust production readiness, continuous improvement and compliance. Working closely with Design, Quality, Operations and Supply Chain, you will support both new product introduction (NPI) and the ongoing improvement of legacy programmes.
What will your day-to-day responsibilities look like?
- Act as the technical authority for materials and processes across the site
- Lead materials and process selection for NPI activities, working with suppliers and engineering leadership
- Develop and maintain composite and metallic process specifications
- Define and execute material characterisation, qualification and validation testing
- Drive site materials and process strategy, including inspection and process validation methods
- Support NPI activity from prototype through to production handover
- Provide technical problem-solving support on-site and with suppliers, leading root cause analysis and corrective actions
- Support D/PFMEAs, control plans and process capability studies
- Ensure compliance with quality management systems and support customer, supplier and regulatory audits
- Maintain internal and external specifications and engineering documentation
- Ensure compliance with national and global legislation (including REACh)
- Identify and implement cost reduction and yield improvement opportunities
- Influence design-for-manufacture decisions through close collaboration with design engineering
- Mentor junior engineers and develop standard work
- Contribute to the wider Safran Actuation Materials & Processes community
What will you bring to the role?
Essential skills:
- Degree-qualified in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering or equivalent, with strong experience in aerospace or automotive materials engineering
- In-depth knowledge of Polymer Matrix Composites (PMC), including materials, manufacturing processes and in-service performance
- Proven ability to lead materials and process development within a production manufacturing environment
Desirable skills:
- Experience with composite prepregs, liquid resin composites and machining of fibre-reinforced components
- Experience qualifying PMCs for aerospace applications
- Knowledge of metallic materials, heat treatment and surface treatments
- Familiarity with aerospace standards and regulations (AS9100, EASA, FAA)
- Experience in a senior or lead engineering role
- Chartered Engineer status (or working towards)
- Strong understanding of Six Sigma, SPC and structured problem-solving techniques
Senior Materials & Process Engineer in Banbury employer: Safran Actuation Systems
Contact Detail:
Safran Actuation Systems Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Materials & Process Engineer in Banbury
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the aerospace and defence industry, especially those at Safran. A friendly chat can open doors that applications alone can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of Polymer Matrix Composites and relevant aerospace standards. Show us you know your stuff and can lead materials and process development!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just talk about your experience; share specific examples of how you've driven continuous improvement in past roles. We love hearing about real-world problem-solving!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for a smoother process. It shows you're serious about joining us at Safran and makes it easier for us to find your application!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Materials & Process Engineer in Banbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Materials & Process Engineer role. Highlight your experience with Polymer Matrix Composites and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about aerospace materials and how you can contribute to our mission at Safran. Keep it concise but impactful, and don't forget to mention your technical expertise.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, be sure to highlight specific examples of how you've tackled challenges in materials engineering. We love seeing candidates who can demonstrate their ability to lead root cause analysis and implement corrective actions effectively.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you'll find all the details about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Safran Actuation Systems
✨Know Your Materials Inside Out
As a Senior Materials & Process Engineer, you need to demonstrate your expertise in Polymer Matrix Composites and other materials. Brush up on the latest advancements and be ready to discuss how you've applied this knowledge in past roles. Show them you’re not just familiar with the theory but can also translate it into practical solutions.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to share specific examples of how you've tackled technical challenges in previous positions. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. This will help you illustrate your ability to lead root cause analysis and corrective actions effectively.
✨Understand the Company’s Vision
Familiarise yourself with Safran's commitment to sustainability and innovation in aerospace. Be prepared to discuss how your values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their mission of making air transport more environmentally friendly. This shows that you’re not just looking for a job, but are genuinely interested in being part of their journey.
✨Prepare Questions for Them
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare insightful questions about the team dynamics, ongoing projects, or future innovations at Safran. This not only shows your enthusiasm for the role but also helps you gauge if the company culture is the right fit for you.
