Material Scientist

Leonardo UK Ltd; Easter Howgate; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security is seeking a Materials Scientist in Edinburgh. This role involves performing defect investigations across engineering disciplines and supporting engineering teams with materials science expertise. Candidates should have at least 1 year of experience or a PhD in materials science, with tools like SEM and TEM beneficial. The position offers a range of company-funded benefits and opportunities for professional growth.

Benefits

Generous leave and flexi-days

Award-winning pension scheme

Mental health support

Free access to online courses

Flexible working hours

Qualifications

• Experience in defect and material investigations
• Basic understanding of materials science and failure analysis principles
• Willingness to learn and adapt in a team environment

Responsibilities

• Perform defect and material investigations across engineering disciplines
• Support the engineering community in problem-solving
• Teach inspection/test techniques in the analysis lab

Skills

Ability to interpret, analyse and present complex data

Confidence and ability to challenge technical/process issues

Ability to interact effectively with customers and suppliers

Appetite for continuous improvement

Education

At least 1 year of experience (or PhD) in materials science

Tools

Scanning Electron Microscopy

Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM/STEM)

X-ray Imaging and/or tomography

Job description

Job Description:

Your impact

Are you naturally curious? We’re looking for an inquisitive Materials Scientist to perform defect and material investigations across all engineering disciplines. As part of a small and dynamic team based at Leonardo Edinburgh, you will support and promote the team’s technical service to the company, across the full lifecycle of products focused chiefly on Materials Science and defect investigation. You will be part of the newly formed Materials and Processes Engineering Department, looking at novel materials and processes to support the future business projects with high performing and sustainable materials.

What you will do as a Materials Scientist is:

• prepare for and organize defect or material investigations and provide a value-added investigation service to the company in a timely manner, considering customer requirements
• Support the smooth day-to-day running of the technical service group
• Provide Materials science support to the Engineering community to help them solve problems
• Support the outsourcing of investigative work to external suppliers where appropriate
• Contribute to failure investigations using known problem-solving techniques (e.g. 8D)
• Working across engineering disciplines providing support in mechanical, electronic and optical activities
• Teach other engineers and scientists in techniques used for sample preparation and inspection/test within the analysis lab
• Contributing to Continuous improvement activities

What you’ll bring

• At least 1 years experience (or PhD) providing a basic understanding of materials science and failure analysis principles
• Ability to interpret, analyse and present complex data in a clear way
• Confidence and ability to challenge / respond to technical / process issues
• Ability to interact effectively with customers and suppliers
• Appetite for continuous improvement, demonstrating an ability to implement a change to working practices
• An understanding and experience of techniques such as:-
  • Scanning Electron Microscopy
  • Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis
  • Micro-sectioning and sample preparation for analysis
  • Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM/STEM)
  • Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)
  • Optical Microscopy
  • Vacuum processes e.g. for determining outgassing properties of materials
  • X-ray Imaging and / or tomography

This is not an exhaustive list, and we are keen to hear from you even if you might not have experience in all the above. The most important skill is a good attitude and willingness to learn.

Security Clearance

This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV). For more information and guidance please visit: https://careers.uk.leonardo.com/gb/en/security-and-vetting

Why join us

At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work–life balance. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive.

• Time to Recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days each year.
• Secure your Future: Benefit from our award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
• Your Wellbeing Matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee-led networks championing inclusion and diversity (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed Forces, Carers, Wellbeing and Ethnicity).
• Rewarding Performance: All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.
• Never Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
• Refer a friend: Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.
• Tailored Perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.
• Flexible working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us about what might be possible for this role.

For a full list of our company benefits please visit our website.

Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security. Headquartered in Italy, we employ over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 sites in the UK. Our employees are not just part of a team—they are key contributors to shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.

At Leonardo we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.

Be part of something bigger - apply now!

Primary Location:

GB - Edinburgh

Contract Type:

Permanent

Hybrid Working:

Onsite