Industrial Chemistry Laboratory Technician - M/F

Let's build a future of trust together

Thales is a global high-tech leader specializing in three sectors: Defense & Security, Aerospace & Space, and Cyber & Digital. It develops products and solutions that contribute to a safer, more environmentally friendly, and more inclusive world. The Group invests nearly 4 billion euros per year in Research & Development, particularly in key innovation areas such as AI, cybersecurity, quantum, cloud technologies, and 6G. Thales has nearly 81,000 employees in 68 countries.

Our commitments, your benefits

• Success driven by our technological excellence, your experience, and our shared ambition
• An attractive compensation package
• Continuous skills development: training paths, internal academies, and communities
• An inclusive, benevolent environment that respects employee balance
• Recognized societal and environmental commitment

Your daily life

Within the Tactical Vehicles and Systems activity, the La Ferté Saint Aubin site specializes in the production of terrestrial and airborne weapon systems (mortars, ammunition, rockets, etc.), force protection systems, and zone control. With its 450 employees, including engineers, technicians, and specialized workers, the La Ferté Saint Aubin site ensures research and development, production, testing, as well as all the "support" functions necessary for the design of high-performance systems essential to the success of operational missions. Thales has formed, with the German defense group DIEHL, a Joint-Venture "JUNGHANS T2M" which has 165 employees, allowing the two companies to combine their electronic and precision mechanics skills and thus become one of the world leaders in the field of ammunition fuses. This Joint-Venture is also present on the La Ferté Saint Aubin site.

The industrial chemistry laboratory provides physico-chemical and compatibility analyses of materials and pyrotechnic compositions used in products for internal clients and reports these results.

The laboratory teams also have an advisory role in the handling and use of these materials and compositions.

The activity of the industrial laboratory is part of the Engineering Competence Center (CCE) which brings together project development and engineering lot activities.

The position reports to the head of the industrial laboratory, who depends on the Munitions Architecture and Environment (AME) department.

In this context, you will collaborate with the teams and managers of the Industrial Competence Center (CCI) and the pyrotechnic workshops.

You will ensure the performance (costs, deadlines, quality) of physico-chemical tests by combining the right methods, materials, and means in their execution.

You will work on all types of materials, components, and sub-assemblies integrated into the Domain's Solutions.

As such, your main missions are as follows:

• Perform physico-chemical analyses according to existing operating procedures,
• Conduct compatibility tests,
• Analyze the results obtained for their validation and be a force for proposal/innovation regarding tests and/or test means according to the analyses carried out,
• Guide and advise the requester towards complementary analyses, if necessary, and know how to alert hierarchy if necessary,
• Communicate daily with laboratory personnel and their manager on the results obtained, difficulties encountered, work progress, etc.

Secondary missions:

• Ensure the parameterization and simple maintenance operations of the equipment used in the industrial laboratory,
• Participate in the implementation and development of the company's Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) and Security policy,
• Participate in the development of methods by validating new means (performing reliability tests, drafting reports).

Thus, your role is to carry out the requested physico-chemical and compatibility analyses in strict compliance with safety and environmental rules.

Your profile

Do you have the ambition to use and develop your skills in the defense field?

You have a Bac +2 or 3 degree specialized in chemistry (analytical option) and have significant experience in:

• Chemical analysis or pyrotechnics
• HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography)
• Thermal analyses (e.g., DSC (differential scanning calorimetry), TGA (thermogravimetric analysis) and TMA (thermomechanical analysis), microcalorimeter)
• Calorific potential
• Laser granulometry
• Infrared spectrometry and atomic absorption spectrometry
• Titration (titrator and Karl Fisher)
• Imaging and observation (Microscope and SEM)
• Pyrotechnic compatibilities
• Safety characteristics of pyrotechnic substances (primary and secondary explosives, propellants, and pyrotechnic compositions);
• Analytical techniques: chromatography, thermal analysis, laser granulometry, spectrometry (infrared and atomic absorption), colorimetry, microscopic observation, and viscosity.

You are capable of:

• Solving problems encountered during manipulation and reacting accordingly (stopping a test, tool parameterization, etc.);
• Analyzing results during and after manipulation;
• Comparing results obtained with specifications and reporting to the laboratory manager, and systematically in case of non-conformity or significant difference from previous analyses.

Are your rigor and methodology in applying operating procedures, your ability to demonstrate critical thinking and perspective in analyzing results, your ability to work in a team and act within a collective, your ability to cope with pressure and prioritize missions and tasks according to their urgency and importance, as well as your ability to develop a synthetic and clear mind in drafting technical deliverables, recognized assets?

Then this position is for you!

Thales, a Handi-Engaged company, recognizes all talents. Diversity is our best asset. Apply and join us!