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.
We're recruiting an R&D Manufacturing Engineer to join our state-of-the-art facility in Banbury. This role offers a fantastic opportunity to be a key contributor in the development of innovative composite products and technologies.
You will play a pivotal part in both the design and hands-on manufacture of structural composite components, working across the Engineering and R&D teams. The role will involve developing and optimising manufacturing processes, building and testing prototypes, and supporting product development from concept through to validation.
What will your day-to-day responsibilities look like?
*Design, develop, and optimise manufacturing processes for composite components, including filament winding, resin transfer moulding (RTM), and braiding.
*Contribute to the design and analysis of novel composite components using CAD, first principles, and FEA.
*Support prototype manufacture and testing to validate material and component performance.
*Conduct detailed analysis of materials and processes (e.g., volume fraction, void content, glass transition temperature).
*Prepare technical documentation and reports, including results from Design of Experiments (DOE) and process validation.
*Work cross-functionally with Engineering, Operations, and R&D teams to refine new products and processes.
*Maintain a safe, clean, and well-organised work environment in line with COSHH, company safety standards, and 5S practices.
*Actively support continuous improvement, lean initiatives, and the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Essential skills:
*Previous R&D or manufacturing engineering experience, ideally within composites or advanced manufacturing.
*Strong problem-solving ability with a hands-on approach.
*Excellent communication skills with the ability to work cross-functionally and independently.
Desirable skills:
*Engineering degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline.
*Experience in composite manufacturing processes (e.g., filament winding, RTM, braiding, moulding).
*Knowledge of stress analysis and Finite Element Analysis (FEA).
*CAD modelling and technical drawing experience.
*Familiarity with robotics/automation (e.g., KUKA, CADfil).
*Knowledge of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement tools.
*Aerospace or advanced composites industry experience.
*Strong IT skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel.