Job Title: Energetic Materials Chemist/Chemical Engineer

Location: Glascoed (Monday to Thursday, 7.15am – 5pm) on site

Salary: Up to £43,649

Who we are:

Join BAE Systems and you’ll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you’ll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You’ll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow, shaping a safer future, for all of us.

From the depths of the ocean, to the far reaches of space, there’s no limit to where a career at BAE Systems could take you.

What you’ll be doing:

You will be working with the Senior Scientist and the team to develop the next generation of polymer bonded explosives (PBXs) and associated manufacturing techniques, leading and organising your own project by undertaking research, developing formulations and processing expertise, and carrying out manufacturing and characterisation trials. The role also involves supporting the Senior Scientist in maintaining and continuously improving a small-scale processing capability within the Energetics Team, while interacting with products and processes across the factory to better understand the challenges presented by energetic materials during processing.

In addition, you will be developing strategies to overcome these challenges and implementing them to benefit the business, while collaborating with other scientists and engineers, both within and outside the Energetics Team, to achieve project goals. You will be required to work effectively with a range of stakeholders, to ensure that all processing activities are carried out safely, in accordance with internal business processes, and in full compliance with relevant legislation.

Core duties:

  • You’ll have an undergraduate qualification in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering. Industrial experience in relevant area is also desirable, but not essential
  • You’ll have the ability to work within a close-knit team as well as independently, planning and managing own workload to safely deliver project objectives
  • You’ll have the ability to work to and compile stringent safety documentation
  • You’ll have a keen desire to carry out practical activities for own and others’ projects and/or the wider Team’s day-to-day activities
  • You’ll have strong communication skills with ability to present data in a clear, concise manner and to produce scientific documents to a high standard
  • You’ll have a full UK driving licence

The team:

The Energetics Research and Development Team is part of The Technology Delivery Team (TDT), at Glascoed. The TDT sits alongside the product integrated delivery teams and provides a dual role of product / production support and the identification, evaluation and implementation of new technologies.

BAE Systems Maritime and Land Services have an opportunity for a Energetics Materials Chemist or Chemical Engineer to join the Energetics Team. The role of Energetics Scientist / Engineer is a key role, within the Energetics Team and TDT, and will put you at the forefront of support and technology in munitions. The selected candidate should have a keen interest in developing new polymer-based formulations and / or new processing techniques, as well as problem solving. The role involves working within an integrated team to safely deliver projects and maintain the Energetics Team’s facilities, in addition to collaborating with a wide variety of stakeholders to achieve business goals.

Why BAE Systems?

Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive:

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 31st March 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

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Life at BAE Systems

Within a growing network of around 100,000 colleagues in more than 40 countries, our teams bring together people with diverse skills, ways of thinking and backgrounds - while our work spans the depths of the ocean to the far reaches of space.

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