Technician or Advanced Technician - Pilot Line Operator

Technician or Advanced Technician - Pilot Line Operator

NCC

Northwich based – predominantly on site with limited hybrid working.

Full Address:
Cygnet Texkimp, Northwich, CW96GG

Salary: £30,861 to £41,275 per annum experience dependent, plus up to 12.5% employer pension contribution and private medical insurance.

This is an exciting time for NCC. We are recruiting experienced Technicians and Advanced Technicians to join a new NCC advanced materials team, based in at NCC Carbon Fibre Line Facility at Cygnet Texkimp, Northwich, Cheshire West. The team are tasked with developing a strategic UK capability for Carbon Fibre and precursor materials development. Collaborating with partner research organisations and serving industry needs, you will be at the heart of delivering research and technology projects to advance what’s possible with this high-performance fibre used across sectors such as Aerospace, Defence and Clean Energy.

As an experienced Technician within our pilot facility, you will provide hands‑on support to experimental work, equipment operation and day‑to‑day running of the pilot lines. You will work with Research Engineers and senior technical staff to operate equipment safely, carry out laboratory testing, maintain good documentation and ensure high‑quality execution of experimental plans.

This role is well suited to individuals with practical laboratory, chemistry or chemical process experience who are looking to grow their technical skills in a cutting‑edge research environment.

• Operate pilot‑scale and laboratory equipment for PAN polymer solution preparation, wet spinning and Carbon Fibre conversion.
• Prepare chemicals and materials for PAN polymer solution processing.
• Oversee daily pilot line activities and ensure safe, compliant and consistent operation.
• Support maintenance, inspections, basic fault finding and equipment performance monitoring.

• Conduct testing and analysis of precursor fibres, intermediate materials and Carbon Fibre outputs.

• Follow safe operating procedures and assist with the creation of risk assessments and COSHH documentation for new or routine activities.

We’re open to any sector and will look for the following:

• Senior technician level, production operator, or process engineering experience in one of the following areas: chemical process environment, carbon fibres and composite materials, textile fibres production or processing, pilot scale equipment operation.
• This is a hands on role, you’ll need to be comfortable operating a range of pilot scale equipment.
• Experience writing procedures and technical documentation.
• Desirable:
  Knowledge of composite materials or fibre reinforcements would be beneficial.
• Excellent troubleshooting, problem-solving and communication skills.

Annual salary reviews, company paid private medical insurance, up to 12.5% employer pension contribution, great people, honorary staff status at the University of Bristol. With a genuine focus on wellbeing, EDI and learning and development this is a chance to build your career in a thriving R&D facility with a bright future.