Imad Ouachan

Experience

• 

  LB Foster

  Jun 2015 - Jul 2016

  Research Chemist

  Research and development of friction modifier films for the wheel-rail interface using chemical and tribological characterisations techniques resulting in a new commercially available gauge-face grease rail lubricant formulation.

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  Bristol Composites Institute

  Sept 2017 - Nov 2022

  Doctoral Researcher (PhD)

  Research into leading-edge erosion due to rain impact in offshore wind turbines supervised by Dr Carwyn Ward Professor, Ian Hamerton (Bristol) and Dr Kirsten Dyer (Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult) .This project aimed to quantify the viscoelastic response of coatings in Rain Erosion Testing (RET) and real wind turbine settings, analysing high strain-rates, temperature, and recovery effects. Collaborating with ORE-Catapult, University of Bristol, University of Strathclyde, and coating manufacturers under the BLEER project, it aimed to enhance damage understanding and lifetime prediction models.Outcomes:• Communicated material properties influencing wind turbine leading edge protection to commercial manufacturers and academia.• Developed a methodology to characterise commercial products' viscoelastic behaviour, enabling rapid lab screening for erosion performance, reducing development time.• Established predictive abilities via lab testing and simulation, enhancing rain erosion protection with viscoelastic materials.• Advanced knowledge for designing improved wind blade coatings, reducing erosion failures, and enhancing cost efficiency. Show less

• 

  University of Bristol

  Sept 2022 - Dec 2022

  Research Associate

  A continuation of the work conducted during the PhD incorporating the effects of temperature and humidity on coating properties and performance.Project title : The effect of temperature upon the viscoelastic properties of leading-edge protection systems. The project aimed to quantify how temperature affects the viscoelastic properties of LEP materials. The work used the methods developed in the prior PhD to quantify the impact of extended environmental exposure, including (reduced/elevated) temperature, correlating these changes to rain erosion performance. Show less

• 

  National Composites Centre

  Dec 2022 - Feb 2025

  As an Advanced Research Engineer, I have continued to work on projects across the aerospace, sustainability, and construction sectors. This role has enabled me to take a larger role in the both the strategic direction and technical execution of projects. Responsibilities:• Reviewed state-of-the-art technologies, downselection of materials and processes, managed manufacturing, quality assurance and life cycle assessment, culminating in the delivery of test components.• Worked as Technical Authority (TA) for key work packages on long-term research projects, leading multi-disciplinary teams to deliver high-quality engineering outputs on time and within budget.• Created robust engineering plans, ensured technical rigour, set key milestones, and identified risks, opportunities and interdependencies.• Worked closely with project managers to ensure timely delivery, regularly reviewing and adjusting plans to mitigate risks related to cost, schedule, or quality.• Coordinated engineering input for bids on new capability development areas.• Actively engaging with key academic and industrial entities across multiple key projects at the NCC to drive innovation and enhance project outcomes.Key Projects:• Wing Accelerator (WA) Project: TA and work package lead as part of a £24 million initiative with Airbus, aiming to develop high-rate manufacturing technologies for composite wings for next-generation, low-emission aircraft. Led a team in developing high-rate tooling cleaning and release solutions, significantly advancing the UK's composite manufacturing capabilities.• Composite Smart Industrial Control (CoSInC) Project: TA and work package lead as part of this a £15 million, five-year programme with Airbus, focused on out-of-autoclave resin-infused composites for the aerospace industry. Led a team in reviewing and trialling sustainable composite manufacturing methods and alternate materials, collaborating with Airbus and the NCC. Show less As a Research Engineer, I translated the skills gained in my PhD to work on projects across the aerospace, automotive, sustainability, and construction sectors.Responsibilities:• Captured and challenged customer requirements of project of differing sizes.• Reviewed state-of-the-art technologies, downselection of materials and processes, managed manufacturing, quality assurance and life cycle assessment.• Delivered technical presentations and reports internally and externally, ensuring high technical standards while adhering to budgets and timelines.• Worked as Technical Authority (TA) for key work packages on long-term research projects, leading multi-disciplinary teams to deliver high-quality engineering outputs on time and within budget.• Created robust engineering plans, ensured technical rigour, set key milestones, and identified risks, opportunities and interdependencies.• Worked closely with project managers to ensure timely delivery, regularly reviewing and adjusting plans to mitigate risks related to cost, schedule, or quality.Key Projects:• Wing Accelerator (WA) Project: TA and work package lead as part of a £24 million initiative with Airbus, aiming to develop high-rate manufacturing technologies for composite wings for next-generation, low-emission aircraft. Led a team in developing high-rate tooling cleaning and release solutions, significantly advancing the UK's composite manufacturing capabilities.• Composite Smart Industrial Control (CoSInC) Project: TA and work package lead as part of this a £15 million, five-year programme with Airbus, focused on out-of-autoclave resin-infused composites for the aerospace industry. Led a team in reviewing and trialling sustainable composite manufacturing methods and alternate materials, collaborating with Airbus, the NCC and other companies. Show less

  • Advanced Research Engineer - Materials and Processes

    Feb 2024 - Feb 2025

  • Research Engineer - Materials and Processes

    Dec 2022 - Feb 2024