Materials Engineer

Materials Engineer

6-Month Contract | Inside IR35 | Woking (Hybrid)

About the Opportunity

Our client is a leading UK engineering and technology organisation renowned for developing innovative, high-performance products in a highly regulated environment. They are seeking a Materials Engineer to join their specialist engineering team, supporting material investigations, laboratory testing, and product validation activities.

This is an excellent opportunity for a hands-on engineer with a background in materials testing, microscopy, and failure analysis to work on technically challenging projects within a collaborative and fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct failure investigations and support root cause analysis activities.
• Perform laboratory-based material testing and characterisation.
• Prepare samples for metallographic and microscopy examinations.
• Analyse material performance, degradation mechanisms, and product failures.
• Support testing programmes covering mechanical, environmental, and durability assessments.
• Produce technical reports and communicate findings to engineering stakeholders.
• Work closely with design, manufacturing, quality, and supplier teams.
• Assist in validating new materials and manufacturing processes.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives within the materials engineering function.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Degree in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, Metallurgy, or a related discipline.
• Experience working within a laboratory or materials testing environment.
• Hands-on experience with failure analysis and root cause investigations.
• Experience using microscopy techniques for material characterisation.
• Knowledge of sample preparation and metallographic techniques.
• Understanding of material testing methods and engineering standards.
• Strong analytical and technical reporting skills.

Desirable Experience

• Experience with polymers, composites, adhesives, or injection-moulded materials.
• Exposure to automotive, aerospace, defence, advanced manufacturing, or similar engineering sectors.
• Knowledge of fatigue, corrosion, fracture mechanics, and environmental degradation mechanisms.
• Experience using SEM or other advanced microscopy equipment.

If you have experience in materials testing, microscopy, and failure analysis and are looking to work on cutting-edge engineering projects, we’d be keen to hear from you.