Materials Engineer

Location: Volpiano

Materials Engineer – Junior Research & Engineering – Institute Itech Full-time position On-site (Milan, Italy) Travel and meeting expenses will be reimbursed upon approval An NDA must be signed

This position may evolve into Senior Materials Engineer or Lead Materials Scientist, depending on performance and contribution to Institute Itech's project portfolio.

About Institute Itech:

Institute Itech is a private research, development and technological innovation institute based in Italy with an international vision. It was created to transform scientific knowledge, advanced engineering and emerging technologies into concrete solutions for the environment, health, data intelligence, artificial intelligence, urban systems and technological infrastructure.

The company is built on a multidisciplinary vision structured around six pillars:
Education, Technology, Social, Nature, Research and Urban. Through these areas, Institute Itech develops high-impact projects capable of improving quality of life, making cities more sustainable and creating new models of scientific, industrial and social progress.

Its flagship projects include Memoria™ (AI-based neuroimaging and cognitive data intelligence), Oxyleaf™ (environmental monitoring and air quality technologies), Terra™ (advanced soil and ecological remediation systems), Polaris™ (strategic data infrastructure and positioning systems), Balloon™ (high-altitude sensing and urban climate platforms), and Biocity™ (integrated biourban planning and smart city ecosystems).

About the Role:

Institute Itech is seeking a motivated and technically grounded Junior Materials Engineer to join its research and engineering team in Milan. The role is transversal in nature: the candidate will contribute across multiple flagship projects, bringing materials science expertise to bear on real-world challenges spanning environmental technology, urban infrastructure, and advanced engineering systems.

The selected candidate will work closely with multidisciplinary teams of researchers, engineers, and project managers, supporting the selection, testing, characterization, and development of sustainable and bio-based materials across Institute Itech's project portfolio.

This is an ideal opportunity for a recently graduated or early-career materials engineer eager to apply their academic foundation in an applied R&D environment with tangible environmental and technological impact.

Responsibilities:

Materials Research & Development Research, evaluate, and propose sustainable and bio-based materials suitable for use across Institute Itech's projects

Conduct literature reviews, material benchmarking, and feasibility assessments

Support the development and optimization of material solutions from concept through to prototype

Testing, Characterization & Validation Perform or coordinate mechanical, physical, and chemical characterization of materials

Document testing procedures, results, and technical reports in line with Institute Itech's standards

Contribute to the validation of materials in real-world application contexts

Cross-Project Technical Support Collaborate with engineering and research teams across projects including Oxyleaf™, Terra™, Balloon™, and Biocity™Provide materials expertise during design and prototyping phases of multiple concurrent projects

Identify material-related risks and propose mitigation strategies in collaboration with project leads

Sustainability & Innovation Support the integration of circular economy principles and sustainable sourcing criteria into material selection processes

Monitor developments in bio-based materials, green chemistry, and sustainable engineering

Contribute to Institute Itech's innovation pipeline with proposals for new material applications

Documentation & Reporting Maintain accurate and organized technical documentation for all materials-related activities

Produce clear internal reports and contribute to scientific or technical deliverables as required

Support patent or IP documentation processes related to materials innovations

Requirements

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Materials Engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related discipline

Up to 2–3…