Aircraft Composite Fitters

Carterton
4 months ago
Applications closed

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Aircraft Skilled Machinist

Workshop Test Lead

Surface Technology Specialist

MPI have a requirement for permanent Aircraft Composite fitters to work on site at Brize Norton, Carterton, Oxfordshire. OX18 3LX
Our Client will review applicants from candidates from other industries as long as they have trade papers etc.
Mon-Fri Working Regime 40 hours per week
x 2 weeks of Day Shifts- Monday – Friday, (08:00 – 17.00)
x 1 week of x 4 Evening shifts Mon-Thu ( 16:00 – 02:00 )
25 days leave plus 8 bank holidays.
Salary Dependent on Responsibilities Skills & Experience
The bay is responsible for RAF Brize Norton C-17 aircraft structural and composite repairs. Work is carried out within the structures bay and on the aircraft, both in the hangar and on the line. The team are required to work at height and in confined spaces on the C-17 aircraft.
Main Accountabilities:

  • Current working knowledge and experience of laminating and trimming composite materials. Including but not limited to, Carbon fibre and Fibreglass wet layups, vacuum bagging, hot bonder curing, damage assessment, scarfing, honeycomb core replacement, surface preparation and adhesive preparation and use.
  • Competency to operate workshop machines and hand tools.
  • Interpret and work from engineering drawings, technical manuals, and work instructions.
  • Functional IT skills to access technical information and maintenance records.
  • Document all work performed and maintain accurate records.
  • Collaborate effectively with other team members and departments to ensure efficient workflow and high-quality output.
  • Ensure that all repairs and rectification tasks are correctly certified and that records of maintenance carried out are correct and complete.
    What you need to do the job:
  • Working knowledge and experience of laminating and trimming of composite materials.
  • Will have successfully completed a recognised BTEC/ONC/ NVQ Level 3, or equivalent, or military course in Advanced composite repairs.
  • Previous experience preferred in Armed Forces or industry on composite manufacture, maintenance, or repair activities.
  • Salary: Competitive salaries with annual reviews.
  • Pension: Up to 6% contributory pension scheme.
  • Holidays: 25 days leave plus 8 bank holidays.
    MoD Security Clearance. Due to the nature of the organisation, all employees of our client are required to be security cleared to SC level. If successful in your application, we would support you with the SC process. As a guideline only, you would normally need to have been a UK resident for the last 5 consecutive years.
    Due to GDPR processes now implemented, the process with our client once agencies submit you to the portal will be that you will be invited to apply through the ATS (Client Portal). We ask that you complete this task in a timely manner as once completed MPI will be able to submit you to the Client

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

How Many Materials Science Tools Do You Need to Know to Get a Materials Science Job?

If you’re navigating the materials science job market, it can feel like the list of tools, techniques and platforms you should learn grows every week. One job advert mentions electron microscopy, another mentions X-ray diffraction, yet another wants experience with thermal analysis, spectroscopy, simulation software, statistical packages, manufacturing QA systems and more. With so many specialised methods and instruments, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed — and to start thinking you need to know everything just to be considered. Here’s the honest truth most materials science hiring managers won’t tell you directly: 👉 They don’t hire you because you know every piece of equipment or software. They hire you because you can use the tools you do know to answer real questions, make reliable measurements and communicate results clearly. Tools are essential — no question — but they are secondary to problem-solving ability, scientific reasoning and experimental rigour. So the real question is: how many materials science tools do you actually need to know to get a job? The precise number depends on the role you want, but for most job seekers the answer is far fewer than you think. This article breaks down what employers really value, which tools are core, which are role-specific, and how to focus your learning so your CV and interviews stand out for the right reasons.

What Hiring Managers Look for First in Materials Science Job Applications (UK Guide)

Materials science is a broad, interdisciplinary field that spans academia, industry, research, engineering and manufacturing. Whether you’re applying for roles in R&D, process development, quality assurance, failure analysis, nanomaterials or product scale-up, hiring managers make key decisions within the first few seconds of scanning your application. In competitive job markets, simply listing skills or qualifications isn’t enough. Hiring managers are looking for signals of relevance, technical depth, problem-solving capability and real-world impact — and they expect those signals to be clear right from the top of your CV or portfolio. This guide breaks down exactly what hiring managers typically look for first in materials science applications, why they look for it, and how you can optimise your CV, cover letter and portfolio so your application stands out and gets past the first filter.

The Skills Gap in Materials Science Jobs: What Universities Aren’t Teaching

Materials science sits at the heart of innovation — from sustainable energy and advanced manufacturing to aerospace, electronics, healthcare and beyond. It is an interdisciplinary field combining physics, chemistry, engineering and applied science to design and improve materials that power modern technology. Despite the clear strategic importance of materials science, employers across the UK report persistent challenges hiring graduates who are truly job-ready. Organisations need professionals who can contribute immediately to research, development, manufacturing, quality control and product scale-up — yet many recent graduates struggle to bridge the gap between academic preparation and workplace demands. This gap is not caused by a lack of intelligence or enthusiasm. It is a growing skills gap between what universities teach and what real materials science jobs require. This article explores the materials science skills gap in depth: what universities teach well, what they often miss, why the gap exists, what employers want, and how aspiring professionals can bridge the divide to build successful careers in this vital UK industry.