Laboratory Specialist
Location: Broughton - Fully Onsite
Contract: 12 months (likely extension)
Shift Pattern: Double Day Shifts + occasional nights
Pay: £29.49 p/h PAYE | £39.45 p/h Umbrella
Join us and help shape the future of aerospace materials testing
Guidant Global is proud to be partnering with Airbus to recruit a skilled Laboratory Specialist who will play a key role in ensuring the quality, safety, and performance of aerospace components. This is an excellent opportunity to work in a state‑of‑the‑art laboratory environment where your expertise will directly influence production standards and engineering decisions.
This role is ideal for someone with strong hands-on laboratory experience, excellent analytical skills, and a passion for materials science and metallurgical processes.
What you'll be doing
You'll carry out a wide range of laboratory testing, materials analysis, and process verification activities to support manufacturing, quality, and engineering teams. Your responsibilities will include:
Mechanical Testing
- Perform tensile, hardness (Vickers, Knoop), and other mechanical tests to AITM, ASTM, ISO, and related standards.
- Operate, calibrate, and maintain mechanical testing equipment.
- Analyse test results and produce clear, accurate technical reports.
Metallography & Materials Evaluation
- Prepare metallographic samples through sectioning, mounting, grinding, polishing, and etching.
- Conduct microscopic examinations to assess microstructure, grain size, weld penetration, and coating thickness.
- Support failure investigations with detailed microstructural analysis.
Process Inspection & Technical Support
- Collaborate with production teams to troubleshoot deviations and recommend corrective actions.
- Provide technical oversight on heat treatments, surface treatments, and protective coating processes.
- Maintain lab procedures and ensure accurate documentation within the quality management system.
- Interpret engineering drawings and technical specifications to determine testing requirements.
What you'll bring
We're looking for someone who is confident working in a laboratory environment and comfortable applying both theoretical and practical materials knowledge.
Essential
- Degree in Materials Science, Metallurgy, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field.
- Hands-on experience conducting materials testing within an industrial or research lab.
- Strong understanding of metallography and mechanical testing principles.
- Ability to interpret engineering standards (ASTM, ISO, AMS).
- Excellent analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, and written communication.
Desirable
- Industry experience in a similar role (e.g., aerospace, automotive).
- Familiarity with failure analysis techniques and NDT methods.
- Exposure to quality systems such as ISO 9001 or ISO 17025.
- Experience with SEM or other advanced analytical tools.
Working pattern & additional details
- Double Day Shift Pattern (20% uplift):
- Mornings: 06:00-13:10
- Afternoons: 13:30-20:40
- Up to 8 weeks of night shifts per year.
- Security clearance: BPSS+ (processed by Airbus).
Why join Guidant Global?
At Guidant Global, we champion a culture of inclusivity, collaboration, and continuous improvement. When you join us on assignment, you'll have access to:
- Support from a dedicated talent partner throughout your contract
- Opportunities to develop your technical expertise
- A workplace that values diversity, fairness, and individual contribution
- The chance to contribute to world‑leading aerospace programmes
You'll be part of a team where your skills have real impact - and where your growth is genuinely supported.
Ready to apply?
If you're excited by cutting‑edge materials science and want to play a pivotal role in aerospace manufacturing, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today and help shape the future of flight.
Guidant, Carbon60, Lorien & SRG - The Impellam Group Portfolio are acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.
