Materials and Test Engineer

Atlas Copco Group; Burgess Hill; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Atlas Copco is seeking a Materials and Test Engineer to join our Vacuum Technique Technology Group in Burgess Hill. You will identify, develop and validate sealing, coating and materials technologies for vacuum valve products and customer applications.

You will design, prototype and test in the lab and real-world environments, building the capability to test seals, coatings and vacuum systems. This role supports collaboration with partners to push innovations toward product development.

Qualifications

• A degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Materials Engineering or a related discipline.
• Significant experience in technology development involving sealing solutions, surface coatings, semiconductor process equipment or a closely related field.
• Strong knowledge of polymer and metal seal selection, characterisation and mechanical testing.
• Experience selecting and evaluating coatings for particle reduction, outgassing or demanding vacuum applications.
• Practical laboratory experience, including test-rig design, equipment commissioning and the use of vacuum testing equipment.
• Familiarity with analytical techniques such as XPS, SEM or FTIR, together with helium leak detection, residual gas analysis or similar methods.
• Ability to plan complex technical projects and communicate findings through credible reports, presentations and technical documentation.
• Experience collaborating across functions, cultures and international engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Identify, develop and validate sealing, coating and materials technologies for vacuum valve products and customer applications.
• Design, prototype and validate new technology solutions in laboratory and real-world environments.
• Establish a technology laboratory and testing capabilities for seals, coatings and vacuum systems.
• Produce test reports, risk assessments, specifications, design rules and proof-of-concept demonstrations.
• Collaborate with engineering teams, suppliers, customers, universities and partners to move solutions toward product development.

Skills

Sealing tech

Coatings

Material testing

Laboratory work

Technical reporting

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field

Tools

XPS

SEM

FTIR

Helium leak detection

Job description

Bring your curiosity to work as our next Materials and Test Engineer. You will be part of our Vacuum Technique Technology Group team reporting to the Technology Manager, Valves Solutions. In this role, your mission is to identify, develop and validate innovative sealing, coating and materials technologies that can be applied to future vacuum valve products and customer applications.

You will contribute directly to how we create high-quality products and solutions for our customers.

Research and evaluate new sealing, coating, materials and particle-management technologies for vacuum valve applications.

Design, prototype and validate new technology solutions in laboratory and real-world environments.

Help establish our vacuum valves innovation capability and new technology laboratory in Burgess Hill.

Develop advanced testing methods, test rigs and experimental techniques for seals, coatings and vacuum systems.

Produce clear technical evidence, including test reports, risk assessments, specifications, design rules and proof-of-concept demonstrations.

Collaborate with engineering teams, suppliers, customers, universities and technology partners to move successful solutions towards product development.

Your skills and experience

A degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Materials Engineering or a related discipline.

Significant experience in technology development involving sealing solutions, surface coatings, semiconductor process equipment or a closely related field.

Strong knowledge of polymer and metal seal selection, characterisation and mechanical testing.

Experience selecting and evaluating coatings for particle reduction, outgassing or demanding vacuum applications.

Practical laboratory experience, including test-rig design, equipment commissioning and the use of vacuum testing equipment.

Familiarity with analytical techniques such as XPS, SEM or FTIR, together with helium leak detection, residual gas analysis or similar methods.

Ability to plan complex technical projects and communicate findings through credible reports, presentations and technical documentation.

Experience collaborating across functions, cultures and international engineering teams.

We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every single requirement. We value diverse experiences and perspectives and are excited to see what you bring to the role.

Your compensation and benefits

At Atlas Copco Group, we are committed to fair and equitable compensation. Compensation is determined based on the position and its responsibilities, without regard to gender, race, ethnicity, religion, physical ability, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other protected characteristic. Our compensation offering is designed to be locally relevant, competitive, and aligned with the expectations of current and future talent.

Beyond compensation, we believe that a rewarding career is abouthaving opportunities to learn, grow, contribute, and develop in an environment built on trust, collaboration, and continuous improvement. At Atlas Copco Group, we support our people in building long-term careers while making a meaningful impact through their work.

Your job location

This role offers a hybrid working arrangement, allowing you to split your time between working remotely and being on-site at our Global Technology Centre in Burgess Hill, West Sussex, UK

Why it is great to work with us

Your career grows through your skills, your curiosity, and the people you work with. You join a global network where we learn from each other and share knowledge openly. We focus on long‑term development and encourage you to explore new ideas that help us move forward. Innovation is part of how we think and act – we test, improve, and use what we learn to create solutions that matter. You can make a meaningful impact by contributing with your insights and taking ownership of your work, supported by flexible ways of working and leaders who empower you.

Application process

Our selection process includes interviews and, for some roles, skills assessments that help us gain a deeper understanding of your profile. We look forward to getting to know you, learning about your strengths, and discussing how you can grow with us. If you have questions during the process or need support, please contact us:

Behind every innovative solution, there are people working together to transform the future. With careers sparked by initiative and lifelong learning, we are uniting curious minds, and you could be one of them.

Information at a Glance

Atlas Copco delivers innovative products and solutions that help businesses grow and drive progress. Our portfolio spans compressed air and gas systems and treatment, vacuum solutions, industrial power tools, assembly systems, and power and flow solutions. We bring a commitment to long-term success built on expertise, reliable service, and uptime. When you level up to the Atlas Copco experience you enter a partnership based on quality, sustainability, and ease of collaboration. The technology we bring, and the decades of experience support the future-proofing of your business. Atlas Copco is a brand within Atlas Copco Group.

Visit the Atlas Copco website