Chemical Process Technician - Aerospace and Space

Company Overview

TISICS is a small management-owned business with material and processing technology that is of potential future benefit primarily to the Space and Aerospace sectors. The company designs and manufactures net shape metal and continuous silicon carbide fibre reinforced composite components compromising titanium and aluminium alloys. Our advanced materials offer significant advantages both to the Aerospace sector in reducing the weight of platforms for environmental benefit and to the Space sector with rapid growth in communications, climate and planetary exploration applications. In order to address these exciting market developments and increased customer interest in our technology, we are growing and are looking for motivated and inspiring people to join the team.

Role Description

TISICS produces its own Silicon Carbide Fibre on-site in Farnborough within a Fibre Plant. A variety of chemical and gasses are used in the manufacturing process. The fibre is a key component in our fibre-reinforced metal matrix composites. The Chemical Process Technician is responsible for the safe, efficient and reliable operation of the Fibre Plant and associated equipment and processes. The role involves monitoring and controlling fibre production processes, carrying out routine operational activities, responding to process deviations, and ensuring that production is carried out in accordance with company procedures, quality standards, environmental requirements and UK health and safety legislation. The technician will work as part of a multi-skilled team and will be expected to maintain high standards of safety, housekeeping, plant reliability and product quality. Full training in operation, safety awareness will be provided with supply of required personal protection equipment. The successful candidate from time to time, may be asked to assist in other activities on the site, as needed.

Duties and Responsibilities

Plant Operations

• Operate fibre production processing equipment safely and efficiently in accordance with operating procedures.
• Monitor plant conditions, process parameters, alarms and equipment performance.
• Working with caustic cleaning agents and small amounts of mercury in day-to-day cleaning and setup procedures.
• Start up, shut down and isolate plant and equipment in accordance with approved procedures.
• Carry out routine plant inspections and identify abnormal operating conditions.
• Take samples and carry out routine process checks as required.
• Make appropriate adjustments to process conditions to maintain production, quality and safety requirements.
• Respond promptly and appropriately to plant alarms, equipment failures and process deviations.
• Escalate operational issues to the shift supervisor or plant manager as needed
• Complete all process checklists and shift logs in a timely manner.

Health, Safety & Environmental

• At all times, work in accordance with company Health, Safety and Environmental policies.
• Comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) requirements and site-specific chemical handling procedures.
• Correctly use required PPE and ensure that safety equipment is maintained and available.
• Report hazards, near misses, incidents, spills and unsafe conditions promptly.
• Participate in emergency response arrangements, including chemical spill, fire and other site emergency procedures where required.
• Maintain high standards of housekeeping within operational areas.

Maintenance & Reliability

• Carry out routine operator maintenance and basic fault-finding within the scope of training.
• Identify equipment defects and raise maintenance requests as appropriate.
• Assist maintenance personnel during planned and corrective maintenance activities.
• Carry out equipment checks and ensure plant is left in a safe condition.
• Participate in plant inspections, shutdowns, turnarounds and improvement activities.

Documentation & Communication

• Complete shift logs, operating records, check sheets and production documentation accurately.
• Record process parameters, material movements, samples and abnormal events.
• Communicate effectively with colleagues during shift handovers.
• Follow written operating procedures, risk assessments, method statements and relevant site instructions.
• Participate in team meetings, safety meetings, training and competency assessments.

The role will report to the Shift Supervisor / Fibre Plant Manager.

Required Skills and Competencies

Essential

• Ability to follow detailed operating procedures and written instructions.
• Good level of numeracy and literacy.
• Good communication and teamwork skills.
• Willingness and ability to work a shift pattern.
• Be able to work with very small quantities of mercury (all PPE/training will be provided)
• Be able to work with hazardous chemicals (all PPE/training will be provided)
• Ability to work safely with hazardous substances and industrial equipment.
• Reliable, safety-conscious and able to remain calm when dealing with operational issues.
• Ability to use ladders, stairs, work in fume hoods, working at height.
• Have good handling dexterity.

Desired, but not essential

• Previous experience in a chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, energy or other process industry environment.
• Experience operating industrial plant and process equipment.
• Understanding of process safety and safe working practices.
• Ability to identify abnormal plant conditions and respond appropriately.

Qualifications

• Experience handling hazardous chemicals.
• Experience in batch or continuous chemical processing would be beneficial
• Forklift, MEWP or other relevant plant/equipment certification would be beneficial.
• Emergency response, first aid or incident response training.
• ISO9001 standards practical knowledge would be beneficial

Personal Attributes

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Reliability and a strong work ethic.
• A strong commitment to health, safety and environmental standards.
• A methodical and disciplined approach to plant operation.
• Good attention to detail.
• The ability to follow procedures while recognising when conditions are outside normal operating limits.
• Effective communication and teamwork.
• A willingness to learn and develop technical competence.

Working Environment

The role will be based within an industrial chemical manufacturing environment and may involve exposure to noise, chemicals, dust, heat, cold, process equipment and outdoor conditions. The Chemical Process Technician will be required to wear PPE including safety footwear, hard hat, eye protection, gloves, respiratory protection and chemical-resistant clothing when needed as determined by the site risk assessment. The role may also involve working at height, entering controlled areas and working around pressurised systems or hazardous substances. This will all be subject to appropriate training authorisation based on associated and risk assessments. Full safety training and PPE will be provided; however, the technician is expected to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.

Working Pattern

To start with, the working pattern will be from Monday to Friday, 40 hours a week. 8am to 5pm. As production increases by the end of 2026, we expect to move to a weekday two shift, 8 hour pattern: Early (6am start) shift or Late shift (8pm finish).

What we can offer:

• Competitive salary: negotiable, depending on specific experience and qualifications relevant to the role.
• Retirement Plan: Pension scheme to help secure your future.
• 20 days holiday + bank holidays

The candidate shall be eligible to work in the UK and hold a Skilled Workers visa, if required. For all successful candidates, TISICS will undertake background security checks. As part of this, we will need to confirm your identity, employment history and address history to cover the past five years as well as your nationality, immigration status and criminal record.

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