Senior Metallurgist

About Mettis

We design, manufacture and assemble precision forged and machined components at our fully integrated facility in the heart of the UK. Our vision is not only to be the best at what we do but to continually set new standards in the industry by investing and innovating. That’s why we have been pioneers in our industry for over eighty years. We are forging the future today.

About the Role

We are seeking a Senior Metallurgist to join our technical leadership team within our ISO 17025 and Nadcap-accredited laboratory environment. This is a pivotal role within a high-performance aerospace and defence manufacturing business, requiring close collaboration with Operations, Engineering, Quality, and Planning.

This opportunity can be aligned to either a Heat Treatment or Aluminium Metallurgy specialism, depending on your experience:

• Heat Treatment focus – acting as the site authority for Nadcap Heat Treatment, pyrometry, and compliance
• Aluminium focus – leading metallurgical capability across aluminium alloys, failure investigation, and new product introduction

In both pathways, you will provide expert metallurgical guidance across forging, heat treatment, and special processes, ensuring compliance to customer, regulatory, and internal standards. You will also act as a key technical point of contact across the business, supporting continuous improvement, resolving complex technical challenges, and shaping future materials engineering capability.

This role requires sound judgement, resilience, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, while maintaining independence in technical decision-making.

As a condition of employment successful candidates are required to satisfy ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) compliance and must fulfil the following before commencing this role:

i. Currently hold the legal Right to Work in the UK

ii. Fulfil a DBS clearance

iii. Provide a consistent 5-year UK domicile

iv. Pass Drugs & Alcohol screening at the start of their Mettis employment

Responsibilities

Core Responsibilities

• Act as a metallurgical lead and technical authority within the business

• Provide expert input into forging processes, heat treatment, and special processes

• Translate internal and external material requirements into Methods of Manufacture

• Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure technical and quality standards are achieved

• Lead and support metallurgical investigations, resolving complex material and process issues

• Support customer engagement on technical and production matters

• Contribute to continuous improvement and capability development across the site

• Support internal and external audits (ISO 17025, Nadcap, customer audits)

• Mentor and develop laboratory, engineering, and operational teams

Heat Treatment Focus (where applicable)

• Lead and maintain Nadcap Heat Treatment accreditation for the site

• Act as the subject matter expert for heat treatment compliance and governance

• Ensure adherence to AMS2750 pyrometry requirements

• Conduct shopfloor audits, provide technical training, and maintain process standards

• Act as the primary contact for heat treatment-related technical and compliance queries

• Drive improvements in heat treatment quality, consistency, and efficiency

Aluminium Focus (where applicable)

• Provide technical leadership across aluminium alloy metallurgy and processing

• Lead failure investigations, identifying root cause and implementing corrective actions

• Support and lead New Product Introduction (NPI) activities

• Work closely with production teams to optimise aluminium forging and heat treatment processes

• Engage internal and external stakeholders to deliver metallurgical solutions

• Develop and enhance aluminium materials capability across the business

Safety Responsibilities

• Comply with EHS and legislative standards

• Promote safe working practices across laboratory and manufacturing environments

• Ensure adherence to occupational health and environmental requirements

Quality Responsibilities

• Maintain compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 and Nadcap accreditations

• Ensure testing and calibration activities meet procedural and regulatory requirements

• Drive improvements in Right First Time (RFT) performance

• Lead audit readiness and compliance activities

• Initiate actions to prevent non-conformance and improve process reliability

Delivery Responsibilities

• Support production through timely and effective metallurgical input

• Coordinate investigations and testing with manufacturing teams

• Manage priorities across multiple technical projects and operational requirements

Cost Responsibilities

• Support cost control through process optimisation and reduced non-conformance

• Identify opportunities to improve internal capability and reduce external spend

People Responsibilities

• Mentor and develop metallurgical and operational teams

• Support training and competency development across the business

• Contribute to a collaborative, high-performing team environment

Business Responsibilities

• Act as an ambassador for Mettis

• Role model the company’s Vision, Mission, and Values

• Support strategic development of materials and process capability

Qualifications

• Degree in Metallurgy, Materials Science, or a related discipline

• Significant industry experience (typically 10+ years) within forging, heat treatment, or metallurgical environments

• Experience within aerospace or other highly regulated industries (desirable)

Additional (Heat Treatment pathway):

• Experience leading Nadcap Heat Treatment accreditation

• Knowledge of AMS2750 pyrometry standards

Additional (Aluminium pathway):

• Advanced qualification in Aluminium Metallurgy (PhD desirable) or extensive equivalent experience

• Experience in aluminium alloy processing and failure investigation

Required Skills

• In-depth understanding of aluminium, titanium, and/or steel alloys

• Experience within forging, heat treatment, or related manufacturing processes

• Expertise in metallurgical investigation and problem-solving

• Knowledge of aerospace quality standards and compliance requirements

• Experience of Nadcap and/or ISO 17025 environments

• Ability to audit, train, and support shopfloor teams

• Effective communication skills with the ability to influence at all levels

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and technical challenges

• Leadership capability with a focus on coaching and development

• IT proficiency (Word, Excel, Outlook and technical systems)

Job Type:

Full-time, Permanent

Location:

Redditch, Worcestershire (on site, 5 days)

Hours:

Monday – Thursday: 07:30 – 16:30

Friday: 07:30 – 12:30

Benefits:

Pension: 3% Employer & 5% Employee contribution

33 days holiday including 8 statutory Bank Holidays p/a

Employee benefits, rewards, and wellbeing platform (Perkbox)

Free on-site parking

Cycle to work scheme

Bereavement leave

Company events

Employee referral programme

Sick pay

This job description is not exhaustive and may be reviewed periodically in agreement with the job holder. The postholder must comply with all policies and procedures issued by or on behalf of Mettis Aerospace.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Mettis Aerospace is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and supported.

External support

We recruit directly and primarily rely on direct applications and referrals. On occasions where agency support is needed, we engage only with agencies on our Preferred Supplier List.

Any speculative submissions from non PSL agencies will not be reviewed or accepted, and no introduction fees will apply.