Associate, Engineering Sciences- Materials

Secretariat; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Secretariat is seeking a highly skilled engineer to lead failure analyses across automotive, consumer electronics, and medical devices. You will guide cross-disciplinary teams and advise on design, safety, and regulatory compliance, leveraging advanced materials characterization techniques.

The role requires a PhD in Materials Science or related field, strong reporting ability, and proven project management of multiple engagements.

Qualifications

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential for client-facing reporting and collaboration.
• Strong analytical and problem solving abilities to identify root causes of failures.
• Ability to quickly assimilate information and develop creative solutions under pressure.
• Excellent listening, verbal, written, technical, and presentation skills for clear communication.

Responsibilities

• Conduct hands-on failure analysis investigations.
• Lead cross-discipline investigations spanning multiple time zones.
• Advise clients on the design, evaluation, and performance of electrical components, power systems, and control systems; develop tests and reviews to diagnose faults.
• Assist with field inspections and prepare technically detailed documentation and schematics.
• Advising on global regulatory compliance and best manufacturing practices across relevant industries.

Skills

Excellent verbal and written comm.

Strong analytical and problem solving

Time management

Excellent listening and presentation

CAD-based analysis tools

Education

PhD in Materials Science & Engineering

Tools

CAD-based analysis tools

SEM

EDS

XPS

Auger

SIMS

FTIR

X-ray

Job description

London, England, United Kingdom

Chart Your Journey at Secretariat

From a collaborative culture to teammates who will always be by your side, find a career that will grow with you. Deliver your impact at Secretariat.

Secretariat professionals are trusted in the highest-stakes legal, risk, and regulatory matters around the world.

When you join Secretariat, you become part of a rapidly growing elite team of bright minds and passionate problem-solvers. Your skills and expertise will be utilized on day one – working with the world’s most renowned investment funds, law firms, leading corporations, and influential institutions to answer complex questions that shape critical financial, economic, and strategic business decisions.

Our globally integrated teams are united by the ambition, energy, and commitment they bring to every challenge. We inspire and empower an open, collaborative culture that embraces ongoing professional development, recognition, diversity, and – most importantly – you.

Make your impact at Secretariat.

As part of our expanding Global Engineering and Scientific consulting team, you will work at the forefront of today’s most complex engineering and scientific challenges. You will be engaged in analysing failures of a myriad of products from a variety of industries from automotive, construction, consumer products, consumer electronics and medical devices to name a few. Secretariat leverages our diverse technical expertise, and industry knowledge of a variety of structures and products to provide clients with world-class value to identify solutions that drive performance and safety.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Exceptional analytical skills, problem solving, communication skills, and creativity are the foundation for successful professionals at Secretariat.

• Conduct hands‑on failure analysis investigations
• Contribute to cross‑discipline investigations spanning multiple time zones
• Advise clients on the design, evaluation, and performance of electrical components, PCB layouts, power systems, and control systems, leveraging CAD‑based analysis and review tools. Develop test plans, and conduct experiments (such as simulation, validation, and performance tests) to diagnose faults, potential failures and, ensure reliability and performance.
• Assist with field inspections
• Prepare technically detailed documentation, including technical reports and schematics with a cross discipline team.
• Advising on global regulatory compliance and best manufacturing practices across relevant industries such as; automotive and consumer electronics.
• Conduct root cause analysis of failures involving battery systems, battery management systems (BMS), battery energy storage systems (BESS), electric vehicles (EVs), power electronics, and consumer electronic products. Perform proactive engineering assessments, including evaluating design adequacy, identifying latent risks, and assessing whether alternative engineering decisions or mitigations could have prevented or reduced issues.
• Communicate with clients, and counsel
• Assist with the preparation of technical reports
• Develop positive relationships with colleagues, peers, and clients
• Participate in the preparation of hearings, trials, and mediations
• Manage the day‑to‑day requirements of multiple engagements
• Provide project management and project budget oversight

QUALIFICATIONS

Requisite professional designations and work experience:

• PhD in Materials Science & Engineering, Metallurgy, Corrosion, Electrochemistry
• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Specialized knowledge of materials characterization techniques like SEM, EDS, XPS, Auger, SIMS, FTIR, X‑ray
• Strong expert report writing skills to complement analytics
• Able to quickly assimilate relevant information in unfamiliar situations and develop creative approaches and solutions necessary to resolve complex problems
• The ability to manage and prioritize your time and your team’s time, potentially against a backdrop of competing deadlines
• Excellent analytical and problem solving abilities
• Excellent listening, verbal, written, technical, and presentation skills
• The desire to lead, auxiliary tasks associated with a growing practice within a rapidly growing firm

Secretariat is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We offer competitive compensation and benefits, and we support the continuing professional development of our employees.

A rewarding career above all

There are a lot of fine consulting firms out there. But when everything is on the line, it takes a unique combination of skill and savvy to succeed under pressure.

Our culture and people are driven by passion, pride, and performance. Passion for the clients we serve, the work we deliver, and the communities we live in. Pride in our cohesive team recognized for excellence and trusted to perform in the most challenging situations. And our track record of outstanding performance across all of our disciplines speaks for itself.

Our people are motivated to be the best in everything they do – from our approach to making the complex simple to the way we mentor our up‑and‑coming talent to become trusted experts early in their careers.

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