Laboratory Specialist

Laboratory Specialist

Location: Broughton, Cheshire (Fully Onsite)
Contract: 12 Months (Potential for Extension)
Pay Rate: £29.49 per hour PAYE | £39.45 per hour Umbrella
Security Clearance: BPSS+ (completed by Airbus Security)
Shift Pattern: Double Day Shift with 20% Shift Uplift

Join Airbus as a Laboratory Specialist

Are you a chemistry professional looking to apply your expertise in a highly advanced manufacturing environment? Airbus is seeking a Laboratory Specialist to join its Materials Laboratory team in Broughton, supporting the quality, performance, and compliance of materials and manufacturing processes used in the production of world-leading aircraft.

This is an exciting opportunity to work with cutting-edge analytical technologies, collaborate with engineering and production teams, and contribute directly to the delivery of high-quality aerospace products. Whether you are an experienced laboratory professional or looking to further develop your industrial chemistry career, this role offers exposure to a broad range of analytical techniques and specialist manufacturing processes.

What You'll Be Doing

As a Laboratory Specialist, you will play a key role in maintaining product quality and process performance through a variety of laboratory-based activities.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Conducting chemical analysis of surface treatment chemicals, rinse tanks, effluent, sealants, paints and hydraulic fluids
• Performing sample preparation, dilutions and laboratory testing using a range of analytical techniques
• Operating, calibrating and maintaining laboratory equipment
• Analysing test results and producing clear technical reports for engineering and production stakeholders
• Supporting investigations into non-conformance and failure analysis activities
• Leading laboratory trials for new products and manufacturing processes before implementation on the shop floor
• Collaborating with manufacturing teams to identify process deviations and implement corrective actions
• Developing and maintaining laboratory procedures, work instructions and quality documentation
• Conducting and reviewing COSHH assessments and risk assessments
• Ensuring all testing activities are accurately recorded within quality management systems
• Interpreting technical specifications, engineering drawings and industry standards

Analytical Techniques You'll Work With

This role offers extensive hands-on experience with a range of advanced laboratory methods, including:

• Ion Chromatography (IC)
• Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP)
• X-ray Fluorescence (XRF)
• Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)
• Manual and automated titration techniques
• Surface tension testing
• Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) analysis
• Surfactant testing
• Coating and materials analysis

About You

We're looking for a motivated and detail-focused individual who enjoys problem-solving and working in a technically challenging environment.

Essential Requirements

• BSc or MSc in Chemistry, or a closely related scientific discipline
• Alternatively, an HNC in Chemistry supported by relevant industrial experience
• Experience working in a practical laboratory environment carrying out chemical analysis
• Strong understanding of chemical testing principles and analytical methodologies
• Experience with sample preparation and dilution techniques
• Knowledge of chemical surface treatments and coating systems
• Ability to interpret technical specifications and recognised industry standards
• Strong analytical, reporting and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively

Desirable Experience

• Previous experience in a similar industrial laboratory environment
• Failure analysis and root cause investigation experience
• Knowledge of metallurgical techniques
• Familiarity with ISO 9001, ISO 17025 or similar quality management systems
• Experience using advanced analytical instrumentation

Specialist Process Knowledge

Experience or knowledge in any of the following areas would be advantageous:

• Chemical surface treatment processes, including anodising, etching, plating and conversion coatings
• Mechanical surface treatments such as shot peening
• Corrosion protection systems, including primers, paints and specialist coatings

What's in It for You?

• Join one of the world's leading aerospace manufacturers
• Work with advanced laboratory equipment and industry-leading technologies
• Develop specialist expertise in aerospace materials, coatings and manufacturing processes
• Gain exposure to a wide variety of analytical techniques and testing methodologies
• Collaborate with highly skilled engineers, scientists and manufacturing teams
• Opportunity to enhance your technical knowledge within a complex, regulated industry
• Competitive hourly rate with overtime opportunities
• 20% shift uplift for shift working

Shift Pattern

This position operates on a rotating shift pattern:

• Alternating weeks of mornings and afternoons, Monday to Friday
• Morning Shift: 06:00 to 13:10
• Afternoon Shift: 13:30 to 20:40
• Up to 8 weeks of night shifts per year (maximum)

Why Airbus?

If you're passionate about chemistry, laboratory science and delivering quality within a world-class manufacturing environment, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today and take the next step in your scientific career with Airbus.

Guidant, Carbon60, Lorien & SRG - The Impellam Group Portfolio are acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.