Materials Engineer

Balfour Beatty PLC; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading geotechnical contractor in the UK is seeking a Materials Engineer to support the Sizewell C project. The role involves managing materials engineering services, conducting tests, and ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards. Candidates should have NVQ level 3 or equivalent, strong health and safety focus, and proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Access. Benefits include a competitive salary, annual leave, and family-friendly policies, making this a great opportunity within a pioneering project.

Benefits

Attractive negotiated salary

25 days annual leave and bank holidays

Company car/car allowance

Pension savings schemes

Enhanced maternity/paternity policies

Access to Refer and Earn scheme

Discretionary annual salary reviews

Qualifications

• Experience in training and development of junior staff.
• Ability to conduct daily briefings and write risk assessments.
• Technical knowledge needed to advise contracts.

Responsibilities

• Manage materials engineering services for the project.
• Conduct testing and establish safe methods of work.
• Ensure compliance with UKAS and quality systems.

Skills

Health and safety focus

Auditing experience

KPI reporting

Proficient IT skills

Education

NVQ level 3 or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Access

Job description

We have a fantastic opportunity for a Materials Engineer to join our Ground Engineering team working on the Sizewell C project in Suffolk. Be part of this 'once in a generation' project that will deliver clean energy to 6 million homes for the next 60 years. Sizewell C will see the creation of a 3.2 Gigawatt nuclear power station on the Suffolk coast to provide reliable load low‑carbon electricity. The Civil Works Alliance is an extended delivery enterprise involving Sizewell C and three international construction companies: Balfour Beatty, Bouygues Travaux Publics and Laing O'Rourke. We are more than just an alliance, we are bringing together a single delivery organisation with years of learning and experience from other major complex infrastructure programmes worldwide.

Role Purpose

• To support the management and delivery of materials engineering services within GSA Alliance.
• The role will involve establishing and maintaining safe methods of work.
• The role also includes conducting testing samples, compliance visits, coordinating changes with site teams.
• This position contributes to the safe and efficient delivery of materials and testing services while maintaining high standards of documentation, communication, and regulatory compliance.

Accountabilities

• Ensure a relentless focus on Zero Harm across the GSA site.
• Support the delivery of Sustainability activities.
• Establish and maintain safe methods of work for the materials team on site and in the laboratory.
• Plan and undertake inspection and testing on site and in the laboratory as required by the contract, identifying and reporting areas of risk and opportunity immediately.
• Maintain high standards of work and compliance with UKAS accreditation requirements.
• Comply with the site quality system for the materials testing laboratory, including materials reporting.
• Deliver results by deadlines as required by the contract and project teams.
• Maintain equipment calibrations and notify the lab manager of any defects requiring attention.
• Identify, record, and report best practice to project and off‑site.
• Produce summary compliance reports of material compliance as required by the contract.
• Undertake audits of the site quality system on the project, and other contracts as required by agreed rotas and ensure that identified findings are closed out.
• Manage dispatch of samples to external test laboratories and review reports.
• Daily allocation of testing resources and manage supplier test results as required by the contract.

Essential Qualifications & Experience

• Experience in auditing, training/development of junior staff and monthly KPI reporting is also necessary.
• Strong focus on health and safety within the laboratory; writing and reviewing risk assessments, methods statements and conducting daily briefings to site technicians; assisting the site health and safety department with on‑site auditing if required.
• Minimum NVQ level 3 or equivalent; ability to operate and work to an agreed budget.
• Materials technical knowledge required to advise contracts where necessary.
• Proficient IT skills in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Access.

Desirable Qualifications & Experience

• Previous experience working in a UKAS accredited laboratory and with construction materials and specifications.
• Passion for the role, willingness to go the extra mile to exceed expectations, focus on customer requirements, quick learner, adaptable to change, and organised.

Employer Overview

Balfour Beatty Ground Engineering is one of the UK's leading specialist geo‑technical contractors, providing innovative piling and ground improvement solutions across all sectors. Our comprehensive ground engineering capabilities, equipment and experience provide the solid foundations for infrastructure and buildings of any height, ranging from city skyscrapers to cross‑country rail and road projects. Our reputation as a leading specialist geo‑technical contractor is earned through the delivery of ground engineering solutions on some of the UK's largest and most prestigious projects including HS2, The Shard, Wembley Stadium, Reading Station Viaduct, Marble Arch Place, Battersea Power Station redevelopment and the A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon improvement project.

Diversity and inclusion: At Balfour Beatty, we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential components of any successful, happy workplace. Through our Value Everyone D&I 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.

We are 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.

Benefits

• Attractive negotiated salary.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Company car/car allowance.
• Pension savings schemes.
• Enhanced maternity/paternity and family‑friendly policies.
• Access to our Refer and Earn scheme.
• Discretionary annual salary reviews.