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.

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.