Aerospace Chemist at Beagle Aircraft, Christchurch, Dorset

At Beagle Aircraft, we manufacture precision-engineered components and assemblies for demanding aerospace applications.

We're looking for a knowledgeable and hands-on Chemist to join our manufacturing operation in Christchurch, supporting our Treatments team and wider business.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with a background in Industrial Chemistry, Chemical Processing, Laboratory Analysis or Surface Treatments who enjoys combining practical chemical analysis with environmental compliance and continuous improvement.

You'll play a key role in ensuring our chemical processes operate safely, efficiently and in accordance with customer specifications, environmental legislation and aerospace quality requirements.

The Role

Working closely with the Treatments team and senior management, you'll be responsible for monitoring and controlling chemical process baths, carrying out chemical analysis, coordinating material testing and supporting environmental and regulatory compliance across the site.

The position offers a varied mix of hands-on chemical analysis, laboratory testing, chemical process control, environmental management and audit support.

You'll also contribute to maintaining our ISO 14001 accreditation, supporting applicable NADCAP requirements and ensuring compliance with relevant environmental legislation.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary
• Company pension
• 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays
• Healthcare benefits
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Holiday Purchase Scheme
• Birthday Leave
• Long service awards
• Career development opportunities
• Free onsite parking
• Early finish Friday

What You'll Be Doing

• Carry out chemical analysis of process baths, ensuring compliance with customer specifications and process requirements.
• Monitor and control Bonderite etch rates, chemical additions and process bath conditions.
• Manage chemical ordering, stock control and safe handling requirements.
• Monitor trade effluent through chemical analysis and support compliant disposal processes.
• Coordinate external testing, including salt-spray, dye penetrant and heat treatment test samples.
• Conduct mechanical testing, including tensile, lap-shear, metal-to-metal peel and climbing drum tests, and prepare technical reports.
• Arrange calibration, maintenance and servicing of laboratory and mechanical testing equipment.
• Support compliance with ISO 14001, REACH, NADCAP and applicable environmental regulations.
• Monitor water management, Legionella control requirements, solvent degreasing permits and chemical waste disposal.
• Support customer and regulatory audits, maintain chemical analysis records and liaise with relevant external authorities.

About You

We're looking for someone with strong technical understanding, practical chemical analysis skills and a proactive approach to safety and compliance.

You'll ideally have:

• Experience in industrial chemistry, chemical analysis, laboratory testing or chemical process control.
• Knowledge of chemical process baths, chemical additions and monitoring techniques.
• An understanding of chemical handling, health and safety and environmental compliance.
• Experience maintaining accurate laboratory records, analysis reports and technical documentation.
• Good computer skills, particularly Microsoft Office, for reporting, record management and purchasing activities.
• Strong analytical, organisational and problem-solving skills, with excellent attention to detail.
• The ability to work independently and communicate effectively with Production, Treatments and senior management.
• Experience within aerospace manufacturing, surface treatments, NADCAP, ISO 14001 or REACH would be advantageous.
• Knowledge of mechanical testing, environmental permits, trade effluent or water management systems would also be beneficial.

Why Join Beagle Aircraft?

This is an opportunity to take on a varied technical role within a specialist aerospace manufacturing environment, where your work will directly contribute to product quality, process reliability, safety and environmental performance.

You'll work closely with our Treatments and Manufacturing teams, supporting chemical processing operations while helping the business maintain the high standards required by our customers and regulatory bodies.

We're looking for someone who is analytical, hands-on, detail-oriented and motivated to make a positive impact across both chemical process control and environmental compliance.

If you're currently working as an Industrial Chemist, Process Chemist, Chemical Laboratory Technician, Chemical Process Technician or Surface Treatment Chemist and are looking for your next opportunity within manufacturing, we'd like to hear from you.