Senior Metallurgist

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.

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:

• Currently hold the legal Right to Work in the UK
• Pass Drugs & Alcohol screening at the start of their Mettis employment

• 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

• 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 AMS
  2750 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

• 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

• Comply with EHS and legislative standards
• Promote safe working practices across laboratory and manufacturing environments
• Ensure adherence to occupational health and environmental requirements

• 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 performance
• Lead audit readiness and compliance activities
• Initiate actions to…