Composite Engineer

TWI; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Onsite restaurant

Onsite gym

Day nursery available

Onsite parking

Hybrid working options

Job summary

TWI Ltd is seeking a Project Engineer to support non‑metallic materials projects across coatings, polymers and composites at Cambridge (Granta Park). You will contribute to applied research, materials testing, data interpretation and technical reporting in a fast-paced environment.

The role requires a strong materials background, project management skills and the ability to communicate effectively with clients and internal stakeholders. Some travel within the UK may be required.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree or higher in materials science or related discipline.
• Ability to plan and conduct experiments across polymers, coatings and composites.
• Experience in project planning or management and technical reporting.
• Strong written and oral communication skills and team collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct experiments and test programmes to meet project needs.
• Develop testing methods for polymers, coatings and composites.
• Support manufacturing, testing, evaluation and failure analysis activities.
• Prepare technical reports, proposals and client presentations.
• Manage projects, proposals and contract-related activities.
• Work with clients and internal teams to develop opportunities.

Skills

Materials science background

Polymers & composites knowledge

Project management

Laboratory testing

Technical reporting

Client communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in materials science or related field

Job description

Polymer and Composite Services/Materials Performance and Integrity

Location: Cambridge, Granta Park

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time, 36 hours per week

Job Profile: Engineer

Salary/annum: Up to £50,000 per annum

Reference number: JR100819

Closing Date: 04 September 2026

Description of role

The Polymer and Composites Services Section within the Materials Performance and Integrity Technology Group is expanding due to order growth and the increasing use of non‑metallic materials in established and emerging industrial applications. Over recent years, the team has delivered significant and sustained growth and is seeking a talented Project Engineer to join this fast‑moving technical environment, helping to underpin technical excellence and support an expanding market share.

The successful candidate will work across the non‑metallic materials portfolio, supporting technical delivery in coatings, polymers and composites. This will include involvement in applied research, industrial consultancy, materials testing, characterisation, failure assessment, technology development and client‑facing project work. The role will suit a materials engineer, polymer engineer, surface engineer, composite engineer or mechanical engineer with strong technical foundations and the ability to work across more than one non‑metallics discipline.

The successful candidate will strengthen the core skills of an exciting and innovative team by taking on responsibilities including project management, preparation and negotiation of contract proposals, laboratory experiments, testing and characterisation activities, data interpretation, and preparation of high‑quality technical reports. Similar responsibilities are reflected across the existing polymer, composite and coating advert examples.

The work may involve polymeric materials, reinforced thermoplastics, composite structures, composite pipes and connectors, coating systems, surface characterisation, physical and mechanical testing, environmental performance, degradation and failure investigation. The successful candidate does not need to be an expert in all these areas from day one but should have strong technical capability in at least one relevant area and the motivation to develop broader expertise across coatings, polymers and composites.

Applicants must possess good team and networking abilities, demonstrate initiative and self‑motivation, and have strong verbal and written communication skills. Applications are welcomed from candidates with a strong technical background and a good degree in materials science, polymer science, polymer engineering, composite engineering, chemistry, surface engineering, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering or a related discipline. Similar qualification routes are used in the example adverts for polymer, composite and coating roles.

This position may require travel within the UK and abroad depending on project and business needs. The coating advert also notes that some projects may require security‑related arrangements depending on the project need.

Main duties and responsibilities include

• Planning and conducting experiments, trials and test programmes to suit customer and project requirements.
• Developing appropriate testing, characterisation and evaluation methods for polymers, coatings and composite materials.
• Supporting work on composite materials and structures, including composite pipes, connectors, manufacturing, testing, mechanical performance and failure assessment.
• Supporting work on coatings and surface technologies, including coating application, surface characterisation, physical testing and performance assessment.
• Applying polymer science and engineering knowledge to the testing, characterisation and evaluation of polymeric and reinforced thermoplastic materials.
• Delivering technical projects efficiently to meet client, health, safety, quality, scope, schedule and budget requirements.
• Preparing technical reports, proposals, presentations and recommendations for industrial clients and internal stakeholders.
• Supporting commercialisation and proposal development efforts by working with project leaders, customers and suppliers.
• Working with the wider team to understand and develop business opportunities for internally developed technologies and services.
• Responding to enquiries from TWI Industrial Members and contributing to the development, negotiation and management of client projects.
• Building effective working relationships with clients, suppliers, universities, research institutes and internal technical teams.
• Contributing to continuous improvement of technical capability, laboratory methods, project delivery and knowledge sharing within the non‑metallics area.

Required skills/expertise

• Undergraduate degree or higher qualification in materials science, materials engineering, polymer science, polymer engineering, chemistry, surface engineering, composite engineering, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering or a related discipline.
• Technical knowledge and practical experience in at least one of the following areas: polymers, composites, coatings, surface technologies, materials characterisation, mechanical testing or materials performance evaluation.
• Ability to plan and conduct experiments, organise material testing, interpret results and produce clear technical outputs.
• Experience in project planning, coordination or management.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Strong customer interaction skills, or a clear willingness to develop this capability.
• Flexibility to work independently and as part of a highly collaborative technical team.
• Good team‑working skills, initiative, self‑motivation and the ability to take responsibility for delivery.

The ideal candidate will have

• Breadth across two or more of the following areas: coatings, polymers and composites.
• Experience in industrial consultancy, applied R&D, public‑funded projects, collaborative research or client‑facing technical delivery.
• Knowledge of composite pipes, connectors, composite manufacturing, composite testing or structure‑property relationships.
• Knowledge of polymer processing, reinforced thermoplastics, plastics testing, polymer/composite welding or mechanical testing of thermoplastic joints.
• Knowledge of coatings selection, application, formulation, physical testing, surface characterisation or environmental performance evaluation.
• Experience with mechanical, thermal, rheological, optical, environmental, physical or chemical characterisation techniques.
• Experience contributing to technical proposals, funding applications, client meetings or business development activities.
• Postgraduate qualification in a relevant field, such as polymer science, materials science, surface engineering, composite materials, chemistry or mechanical engineering.
• Working towards, or holding, Incorporated or Chartered status linked to membership of a relevant professional institute.
• Intrinsically high level of motivation, good work ethic and a desire to develop technical expertise across the wider non‑metallics portfolio.
• The ability to conduct themselves in line with TWI’s values of teamwork, innovation, taking responsibility, customer focus, adaptability and inclusion.

Travel

This position may require regular travel both in the UK and abroad. TWI is unable to sponsor this role under the skilled worker visa route as it does not meet the requirements.

About us

TWI Ltd is a world expert in engineering, materials and joining technologies with significant property assets. We provide industry with advice and know‑how in design, fabrication, failure analysis and prevention.

We offer opportunities to collaborate with inspiring and expert teams and a supportive environment in which you are actively encouraged to share your ideas and continually develop your own skills and knowledge.

If you are looking to join an organisation that is fuelled by innovation, teamwork, and openness, this role could be for you.

Disability Confident Scheme

We are pleased to confirm that we have achieved the first stage accreditation, which means we are a ‘Disability Confident Employer’. This is a government‑supported scheme that supports organisations like TWI to make the most of the talents that people with disability can bring to our workplace. The scheme helps us recruit and retain great people; draw from the widest possible pool of talent; secure high‑quality employees who are skilled, loyal and hardworking; and improve employee morale and commitment by demonstrating that we treat all of our people fairly.

Why work for TWI?

We offer a competitive salary, share‑in‑success bonus scheme, generous pension scheme (both employee contribution (flexible amount) and TWI contribution (up to 10% of salary), holiday (25 days + 8 bank holiday’s), private health and dental cover, career development and training, onsite employee restaurant, onsite gym, day nursery available for companies on Granta Park (Cambridge) site (subject to availability), onsite parking and more.

We know that balancing work and personal life can at times be challenging. This is why we continue to review and implement family friendly policies including hybrid working, flexible working, enhanced maternity pay and paid parental leave.