Manufacturing Engineer; Heat Treatment

Position: Manufacturing Engineer (Heat Treatment)
Location: Coven Heath

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.

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?

This is a key Manufacturing Engineering role focused on developing, maintaining and optimising heat treatment processes used in the manufacture of aerospace components. You'll ensure all processes meet stringent aerospace quality and regulatory requirements while driving improvements in capability, efficiency and cost.

Working closely with Quality, Operations and Engineering, you'll play a critical role in supporting production, audits and new product introduction within a regulated aerospace environment.

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

Develop, implement and validate heat treatment processes for aerospace alloys including aluminium, steel, titanium and nickel-based superalloys
Provide technical support to production, troubleshooting heat treatment issues and resolving non-conformances
Ensure compliance with aerospace and customer standards including AMS, NADCAP, AS9100 and customer-specific requirements
Write and maintain process documentation such as work instructions, routings, control plans and PFMEAs
Support NADCAP and customer audits, including preparation, responses and corrective actions
Analyse process data and metallurgical test results to ensure mechanical and microstructural conformance
Support new product introduction activities, including trials and first article inspection (FAI)
Lead or contribute to continuous improvement activities to improve yield, reduce scrap and increase Cp/Cpk What will you bring to the role?

Essential skills:

Experience in aerospace manufacturing with hands-on involvement in heat treatment processes
Strong knowledge of aerospace materials, heat treatment principles and metallurgical fundamentals
Working knowledge of aerospace standards and specifications (e.g. AMS, NADCAP, AS9100)

Desirable skills:

Degree in Manufacturing, Materials, Metallurgical or Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent experience, including apprenticeship route)
Experience supporting or leading NADCAP heat treatment audits

Experience with vacuum, batch or continuous furnaces and controlled atmospheres
Knowledge of SPC, root cause analysis and continuous improvement methodologies (Lean / Six Sigma)
Experience working in a high-mix, low-volume aerospace manufacturing environment