Principal Engineer – Materials and Process

Unleash the Power of Multi-Mission Excellence:
Safeguarding the Seas for the World's Navies.

Step into a world where cutting-edge technology meets unparalleled expertise. Ultra Maritime pioneers delivering multi-mission solutions that protect and empower the naval forces worldwide. With our extensive portfolio of capabilities, our innovations are utilised on naval fleets across our allied navies around the globe.

As the maritime and underwater battlespace evolves, we tirelessly push the boundaries to develop advanced specialist systems that provide our 'five-eyes' Defence customers with an unbeatable war fighting edge. From surface vessels to sub-surface operations and unmanned platforms, we are revolutionizing the way naval missions are executed.

We thrive on collaboration and partnering with our customers to ensure mission success. Our expert solutions encompass an array of game-changing technologies, including state-of-the-art sonar, radar, expendables, signature management, and naval power systems.

Join us in shaping the future of naval warfare and together, we will safeguard the seas and empower navies worldwide!

The position leads material selection, qualification, modeling, and manufacturing process optimization, and drives the adoption of advanced materials and additive manufacturing (metal 3D printing) for next-generation underwater systems.

Candidates must be eligible to obtain the relevant security clearance required for the role, due to the nature of the programmes we deliver for our customers.

The Principal Engineer provides technical leadership for all materials used in sonar and sonobuoy systems operating in extreme subsea conditions, including high hydrostatic pressure, corrosion, vibration, shock loading, and long-duration seawater exposure.

The role defines and owns material strategies across metallic, polymer, and ceramic systems, including corrosion-resistant alloys, structural steels and titanium, acoustic-transparent polymers, elastomers, epoxy and polyurethane encapsulants, and functional ceramics used in sensing, insulation, and acoustic applications.

A core responsibility is leading material, polymer, ceramic, and process modeling and optimization, including predictive simulation of corrosion, fatigue, fracture, viscoelastic behavior, thermal response, acoustic transmission, and manufacturing process variability. These models are used to optimize product design, improve reliability, and reduce lifecycle cost and risk.

The Principal Engineer leads end-to-end process optimization across material systems, including casting, forging, machining, ceramic processing, polymer molding, curing, adhesive bonding, coating, and encapsulation processes to ensure repeatable quality, high yield, and consistent performance.

The role defines and executes material qualification and validation strategies across all material classes, including environmental testing such as pressure cycling, thermal shock, vibration, shock, saltwater immersion, and long-duration aging to ensure compliance with defense and maritime standards.

The position leads root cause investigations of material and process-related failures, including corrosion, cracking, ceramic fracture, polymer degradation, delamination, sealing failures, and fatigue, and implements corrective and preventive actions to improve product robustness.

The Principal Engineer collaborates closely with systems engineering, acoustics, electronics packaging, and manufacturing teams to ensure material selection supports acoustic performance, structural integrity, and system reliability requirements.

The role governs supplier material and process capability across metallic, polymer, and ceramic supply chains, ensuring quality, traceability, and process control consistency for mission-critical components.

A key focus is driving innovation in ceramic, polymer, and metallic material systems, including acoustic-optimized materials, high-performance composites, advanced coatings, and environmentally resistant systems for underwater applications.

The role defines and executes the roadmap for additive manufacturing (metal 3D printing), including material qualification, process modeling, and deployment for complex geometries, lightweight structures, and sustainment/repair solutions.

• Master’s or PhD in Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, Polymer Engineering, Ceramic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related…