Adhesive & Bonded Structures Engineer

Position: Adhesive & Bonded Structures Engineer

Sector: Automotive Engineering
Location: Surrey
Position Type: 6 Month Contract
Outside IR35

About the Company

Contechs are recruiting on behalf of their client, a leading automotive organisation renowned for developing cutting-edge vehicle technologies and advanced lightweight structures. They are looking for an Adhesive & Bonded Structures Engineer to join their engineering team on a contract basis. The role will be based in Surrey.

As an Adhesive & Bonded Structures Engineer, you will be responsible for the development, validation, and industrialisation of adhesive bonding technologies across advanced vehicle structures.

Your main responsibilities will include:

• Defining adhesive material requirements for both structural and non-structural applications.
• Selecting adhesive systems based on mechanical, thermal, durability, manufacturing, and processing requirements.
• Developing bonding strategies for CFRP, GFRP, aluminium, and multi-material assemblies.
• Establishing adhesive design allowables, engineering standards, and material specifications.
• Designing and assessing bonded joints for static, fatigue, impact, and crash loading conditions.
• Leading root cause investigations into bond failures and durability concerns.
• Generating adhesive and sealing test plans from coupon-level testing through to full vehicle validation.
• Applying Building Block Approach (BBA) methodologies for material qualification and validation programmes.
• Supporting CAE teams with material properties, bonded joint design principles, and validation requirements.
• Driving the implementation of adhesive and sealing technologies into manufacturing environments.
• Supporting the development of lightweight composite structures and future material technologies.
• Working closely with suppliers, engineering teams, and manufacturing functions to ensure successful delivery of bonded structure solutions.

Manufacturing & Industrialisation Responsibilities

• Define manufacturing processes for bonded composite assemblies.
• Support RTM, prepreg, compression moulding, and assembly operations.
• Establish requirements for surface preparation, bond-gap control, curing processes, process controls, and NDT inspection.
• Investigate manufacturing defects and implement corrective actions.
• Review material data packages, qualification documentation, and validation reports.
• Assess supplier capability and readiness for production programmes.
• Support international supplier collaborations and technology scouting activities.
• Contribute to future engineering and materials technology strategies.

Qualifications / Skills Needed Essential

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Significant experience in automotive structural bonding and adhesive engineering applications.
• Strong understanding of:
  • Adhesion mechanisms
  • Fracture mechanics
  • Bonded joint design
  • Composite materials
  • Polymer chemistry
• Experience with laboratory testing and qualification programmes.
• Experience working with Tier 1 suppliers and material suppliers.
• Strong knowledge of adhesive and sealing technologies, including epoxy, polyurethane, methacrylate, and structural bonding systems.
• Experience evaluating joint durability, environmental ageing, and surface preparation methods.

Highly Desirable

• European Adhesive Engineer (EAE) or European Adhesive Specialist (EAS) qualification.
• Experience with CFRP RTM and prepreg manufacturing processes.
• Knowledge of advanced lightweight composite technologies.

Technical Competencies

Adhesive & Sealing Technology

• Structural and semi-structural bonding and sealing.
• Surface science and surface preparation techniques.
• Joint durability and environmental ageing assessment.
• Adhesive material selection and qualification.

Testing & Validation

• Tensile testing
• Compression testing
• Shear testing
• Fracture toughness testing
• Environmental ageing studies
• Fatigue testing
• Thermal characterisation
• Flammability assessments

Manufacturing

• Quality control systems
• Process development and industrialisation
• NDT inspection methodologies
• Manufacturing process optimisation

Key Deliverables

• Adhesive and sealing specifications and standards.
• Bonded joint design guidelines.
• Material qualification reports.
• Supplier technical assessments.
• Failure investigation reports.
• Manufacturing process specifications.
• Technology roadmaps supporting future lightweight materials and joining technologies.

We are looking for a recognised adhesive engineering specialist with extensive experience in composite automotive structures. You will be capable of bridging materials science, structural engineering, manufacturing, and supplier management while providing technical leadership throughout the product lifecycle.

The successful candidate will support bonded structures from concept development through to production, whilst helping shape future vehicle technologies, advanced lightweight composites, and innovative joining solutions.

Why Work Through Contechs?

Contechs is a leading Automotive, Design, Engineering, Technology and Innovation Recruitment Consultancy. Founded in 1997, with an in-house Contractor Care Team to support all external employees, Contechs acts as an employment agency for permanent and contract recruitment.

How to Apply

If you're interested in applying for this position, submit your application and one of our recruiters will be in touch.

If you know anyone suitable for the role, please visit the below page where we offer up to £600 referral fee:
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