Materials Engineer

Balfour Beatty plc; Aberdeen City; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Balfour Beatty Group is seeking a Materials Engineer in Aberdeen to undertake on-site and laboratory testing of construction materials. You will interpret results, prepare technical reports, and ensure compliance with quality systems and British Standards while supporting safety and environmental requirements.

The role offers involvement in major energy infrastructure projects, with opportunities for hands-on testing, technical development, and collaboration with site engineers and senior

Qualifications

• Experience in materials testing within construction or infrastructure.
• Knowledge of UKAS accreditation processes and relevant standards.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for reporting.
• Ability to lead audits and develop staff on site and in the laboratory.
• Valid full driving licence and on-site safety awareness.

Responsibilities

• Conduct laboratory and site-based testing of aggregates, soils, concrete, and asphalt per UKAS/project specs.
• Interpret results and prepare technical reports for project teams.
• Ensure compliance with quality management systems and British Standards.
• Support environmental and safety regulation compliance (IRR17, DGSA requirements).
• Advise project teams on material suitability, grading, and performance.
• Prepare records of tests, calibrations and inspections and contribute to method statements.

Skills

Materials testing

UKAS standards

Analytical skills

Communication

Audit leadership

Full driving licence

Site & laboratory safety

Job description

About the role

Job Title: Materials Engineer

Location: Aberdeen

Project Type: Civils / Energy

Company: Balfour Beatty Group

Balfour Beatty is a leading national infrastructure and construction company with more than a century of heritage in Scotland, delivering key projects that strengthen communities and improve national connectivity.

The Netherton Hub is a major new energy infrastructure development located near Peterhead in Aberdeenshire, forming a key part of SSEN Transmission’s multi‑billion‑pound Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment (ASTI) programme and its wider Pathway to 2030 upgrade of the Scottish transmission network.

Designed to strengthen the UK’s ability to transport renewable electricity from the north of Scotland to high‑demand centres nationwide, the hub will incorporate a new High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) converter station, a 400 kV substation, a 132 kV substation, and associated operational facilities. Once complete, it will enable efficient long‑distance transmission of offshore and onshore renewable energy, supporting both UK and Scottish Government net‑zero targets while delivering significant economic benefits, job creation, and local supply‑chain opportunities.

By joining the ASTI Netherton Hub project, candidates will gain hands‑on experience delivering one of the UK’s most significant energy programmes, developing advanced personal and professional skills, benefiting from long‑term career progression within a national framework, and playing a direct role in strengthening Scotland’s renewable‑powered future

What you'll be doing

• Materials Testing & Analysis
  • Conduct laboratory and site‑based testing of aggregates, soils, concrete, and asphalt in accordance with UKAS and project specifications.
  • Interpret test results and provide technical reports to project teams.
• Compliance & Standards
  • Ensure adherence to Balfour Beatty’s quality management systems and relevant British Standards.
  • Support compliance with environmental and safety regulations, including IRR17 and Dangerous Goods Safety requirements.
• Technical Support
  • Advise project teams on material suitability, grading, and performance.
  • Assist in troubleshooting and assist with materials issues
• Documentation & Reporting
  • Prepare accurate records of tests, calibrations, and inspections.
  • Contribute to risk assessments and method statements for laboratory and site operations.
• Collaboration
  • Work closely with Senior Materials Technician, and site engineers.
  • Participate in weekly project review meetings and provide updates on material performance.

Who we're looking for

Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in materials testing within a construction or infrastructure environment.
• Knowledge of UKAS accreditation processes and relevant standards.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent communication and report‑writing abilities.
• Confident leading audits and developing staff
• Full driving licence
• Health and safety conscientious on site and the laboratory

Desirable

• Membership of a professional body (e.g., ICE).
• Familiarity with environmental authorisations and radiation safety (advantageous for certain projects).
• Ability to manage workload across multiple projects.
• SSSTS qualified.

Why work for us

Be part of a major energy infrastructure investment that’s shaping the UK’s low‑carbon future.

Work on challenging, high‑profile projects with the support of a skilled, multi‑disciplinary team.

Join a culture of learning, improvement, and excellence—where your voice makes a difference.

Enjoy a competitive salary, development opportunities, and a flexible, inclusive working environment.

Professional and personal development

The size and scale of Balfour Beatty coupled with our strong pipeline of work provides incredible opportunities, regardless of what stage you are at in your career.

We encourage and empower our employees to take control of their career and explore which part of the business they want to work in and what role is right for them. We actively encourage our managers and employees to have open communication throughout the year about wellbeing, development and career opportunities.

We're proud of the Balfour Beatty Academy. Whether it’s sharpening your technical expertise, improving your personal skills or seeking support to become professionally qualified, our 70:20:10* approach to development means we have a learning approach that suits everyone.

*70% learning on the job, 20% learning from those around you, and 10% formal training courses and learning events.

For further information about Balfour Beatty Regional Scotland please go to www.balfourbeatty.com/careers/Scotland - You can also check out further job opportunities in the careers section

About us

From Dunfermline’s tramways in 1909 to highland hospitals today, Balfour Beatty has been trusted for over a century to deliver the complex and critical infrastructure and iconic buildings Scotland relies on.

We have the people, knowledge and experience to safely deliver projects right first time, maximising value for money and ensuring a positive social impact and inclusive economic growth for local communities.

Our award‑winning sustainable projects, including active travel, Passivhaus and retrofit, demonstrate our commitment to supporting Scotland’s transition towards net zero in the built environment.

Diversity and inclusion

At Balfour Beatty we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential components of any successful, happy workplace. Through our Value Everyone Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan, we are growing our diverse workforce and developing our inclusive culture where everyone is able to thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of their identity or background. To find out how we are making this a reality, visit www.balfourbeatty.com/diversityandinclusion

To help and support us with our desired commitment to create an inclusive culture we are members of WISE, enei, Business Disability Forum and the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE). In 2020, we signed the Audeliss and Involve Open Letter to demonstrate our commitment to taking key long term and sustainable actions on Black Inclusion. Balfour Beatty is also a Gold Award holder in the Ministry of Defence 'Employer Recognition Scheme' and actively encourage applications from Armed Forces personnel, veterans and reservists.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to working with people who have disabilities and long‑term health conditions to remove barriers for them in obtaining employment. We are also committed to offering applicants with a disability an interview if they meet the minimum requirements for the role. For more info, visit: https://disabilityconfident.campaign.gov.uk/

We are looking to continually improve our resourcing process and ensure that it is fair and inclusive for all. If you have any feedback on the process, please share this with us at: [e-mail]