Materials Engineer (Supply Chain) in Gloucester

Safran is an international high-technology group operating in the fields of aerospace, space and defence. Its mission is to contribute sustainably to a safer world, where air transport becomes ever more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Present on every continent, the Group employs 110,000 people and generated €31.3 billion in revenue in 2025.

Safran Landing Systems is the world leader in landing gear, wheels & brakes, and associated systems for civil and military aircraft and helicopters. We master the entire lifecycle of our products, from design and manufacturing through to maintenance.

This role is an opportunity to join the Materials & Processes Laboratory team based in Gloucester. The team provides Materials & Process expertise on a wide variety of subjects and provides support to a broad range of internal customers. This role will mainly require involvement to support the monitoring of the supply chain for landing gear parts. In addition, there will be scope to participate in hands-on work such as mechanical testing campaigns and forensic investigation of landing gear parts.

Key Responsibilities:

• Involvement in laboratory tasks relating to raw material suppliers, forgers and foundries.
• Review of metallic supplier performance.
• Review current production performance and historical data.
• Implement improvement plans within SLS supply base for steel, aluminium and titanium materials.
• Technical audits of suppliers, with the help of the SLS Quality Assurance department.
• Support the qualification of new raw material suppliers, such as steel mills.
• Undertake duties to assist the internal SLS Materials Validation Board (MVB).
• Support engineering and internal customers with materials related topics.
• Assist with laboratory testing campaigns relating to metallic materials, surface engineering/protection systems and non-metallic materials.
• Involvement in the forensic investigation of landing gear parts.

Candidate skills & requirements:

• A degree in metallurgy or materials engineering/science.
• Knowledge of metallurgy, particularly with respect to steels, titanium and aluminium alloys.
• Data processing software skills.
• Ability to understand and interpret specifications relating to materials and processes.
• Hands-on experience of metallographic preparation, microscopy and materials testing.
• Ability to write accurate and detailed technical reports and other types of technical documentation.
• Must be able to effectively communicate and convey technical information to both internal customers and the supply base.
• Flexible and be prepared to undertake a range of duties to assist engineering, special processes and the supply chain department.
• Have experience in the supply chain monitoring, with regards to forging and/or melting practices of metals.
• Understanding of degradation and failure mechanisms applicable to engineering materials.
• Must be flexible and be prepared to visit suppliers multiple times a year.

At Safran, we understand that diversity and inclusion make teams stronger and more effective, and as an organisation, we are committed to fair and equitable employment practices for everyone.