Materials Engineer

Travis Talent; Greater Manchester; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A specialized recruitment agency is seeking a Materials Engineer for a leading engineering and manufacturing organization in Greater Manchester. This position offers an incredible chance for an early-career professional to gain hands-on experience while working on various projects related to materials science. Responsibilities include conducting tests, supporting R&D projects, and maintaining lab equipment. Candidates should have a degree in Materials Science or Mechanical Engineering and be proactive, detail-oriented, and willing to travel occasionally.

Benefits

Professional growth opportunities

Work for a global innovator

Join a specialist team

Qualifications

• Up to 4 years’ experience in a laboratory or R&D environment.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle is necessary.
• UK work permit is essential.

Responsibilities

• Conduct metallography work, preparing and analysing samples.
• Produce failure analysis reports for customers and internal teams.
• Support materials R&D projects and testing.
• Carry out materials testing with external labs.
• Maintain and organise lab equipment and facilities.

Skills

Strong IT skills

Attention to detail

Proactive and motivated

Ability to work independently

Adaptability to changing priorities

Education

Degree in Materials Science or Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Materials Engineer

Location: North West Manchester (commutable from Warrington, Wigan, Manchester, Bury)

Salary: £35,000 + Bonus

Hours: 38 hours per week (09:00-17:30, early finish Fridays)

Contract: Permanent - Office & Lab Based

Travis Talent are delighted to be recruiting on behalf of a highly respected international engineering and manufacturing organisation, who are looking to appoint a Materials Engineer to join their specialist R&D and laboratory team in Greater Manchester.

This is an incredible opportunity for an early-career Materials Scientist or Mechanical Engineer to develop hands‑on technical expertise within a small, highly skilled group. You'll be working closely with the Materials R&D Manager, supporting a wide range of research, testing and development projects with immediate real‑world applications.

The work is genuinely varied and fast‑paced — priorities can shift quickly based on customer needs, so this role suits someone who is flexible, curious, and keen to learn. You'll gain exposure across multiple disciplines including tool steels, coatings, mechanical testing, tribology, heat treatments, failure analysis and more.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Conducting metallography work, preparing and analysing samples
• Producing failure analysis reports to support customers and internal engineering teams
• Supporting materials R&D projects, contributing to experimentation and testing
• Carrying out materials testing internally and externally, including liaison with third‑party labs
• Maintaining and organising lab equipment, tools and facilities
• Working in accordance with international material and engineering standards
• Assisting with wider engineering and technical activities as required
• Travelling occasionally in the UK and internationally to monitor field tests (typically no more than three overseas trips per year)

About You

• Degree in Materials Science or Mechanical Engineering
• Up to 4 years’ experience in a laboratory or R&D environment
• Strong IT skills and a natural affinity for technology
• Able to work independently and deliver accurate, high‑quality results
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Proactive, motivated and eager to learn
• Adaptable and able to respond to changing priorities
• UK work permit essential
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle
• Willingness to travel occasionally for testing and project support

Why Apply

• Work for a global engineering innovator
• Join a specialist team with real technical depth
• See your work applied directly to market‑leading industrial products
• Brilliant opportunity for professional growth in materials engineering

If you’re an ambitious graduate or early‑career engineer looking to build a long‑term career in materials science within a truly international engineering environment, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply today through Travis Talent