High-Temp Materials Engineer for Kilns & Ceramics

Rivan; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

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Relocation support (£6,000/yr)

Private health insurance

Unlimited time off

Job summary

Rivan seeks a Materials Scientist to own materials selection, testing and failure analysis for our direct air capture system. The role focuses on high-temperature kiln and lime-processing equipment, covering refractories, ceramics, coatings, metals and sorbent-contacting materials.

You will break down unclear problems from first principles, define tests, analyze results, and drive engineering decisions. This hands-on role requires collaboration with process, mechanical, electrical and operations

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of high-temperature materials and ceramics, refractories, corrosion, and thermal shock.
• Experience with kilns, lime, cement, ceramics, glass, or similar high-temperature systems.
• Ability to lead technical workstreams from a poorly defined problem to a clear recommendation.
• Define practical validation tests and interpret material characterization data.
• Strong first-principles reasoning to determine failure evidence.
• Engage with suppliers, consultants, manufacturers and research organisations.
• Balance performance, cost, lead time, manufacturability, reliability and scale-up risk.
• Clear written communication with concise technical recommendations.
• Experience with refractory selection, installation methods, coatings or hot-face materials.
• Experience with SiC heating elements, protective glazes, electric furnaces or high-temperature heating systems.
• Experience with lime, cement, calcination, carbonation, sorbents or thermochemical cycling.
• Experience with XRD, SEM/EDS, XRF, microscopy, TGA/DSC or similar techniques.
• Experience with equilibrium modelling or phase chemistry tools like FactSage, Thermo-Calc, HSC Chemistry, CALPHAD.
• Experience taking materials decisions from lab testing to pilot/production hardware.
• We care more about capability than credentials.

Responsibilities

• Own materials selection, testing and failure analysis across our direct air capture system.
• Lead work on high-temperature kiln and lime-processing equipment.
• Collaborate with process, mechanical, electrical and operations teams to ensure materials survive operating conditions and scale.

Skills

High-temperature materials

Ceramics and refractories

Thermal processing materials

First-principles reasoning

Problem decomposition

Test plan design

Materials failure analysis

Supplier engagement

Cost & scale-up considerations

Technical communication

XRD/SEM/TGA/DSC interpretation

Equilibrium modelling (FactSage/Calc/"

Lime/calcination/sorbents experience

Leadership of workstreams

Education

PhD in materials science or related (optional)

Tools

FactSage

Thermo-Calc

HSC Chemistry

CALPHAD

Job description

Rivan seeks a Materials Scientist to own materials selection, testing and failure analysis for our direct air capture system. The role focuses on high-temperature kiln and lime-processing equipment, covering refractories, ceramics, coatings, metals and sorbent-contacting materials.

You will break down unclear problems from first principles, define tests, analyze results, and drive engineering decisions. This hands-on role requires collaboration with process, mechanical, electrical and operations