Materials Engineer (Material & Manufacture) (111118-1225)

University of Warwick; Coventry; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading academic institution in Coventry is seeking a Materials Engineer to join their multidisciplinary team. The role involves working closely with manufacturing SMEs to enhance productivity and competitiveness through materials expertise. The ideal candidate should hold a degree in a relevant subject and possess hands-on experience in polymer-based materials. Strong organisational skills, an ability to travel for client assessments, and collaboration with senior engineers are key aspects of this position.

Benefits

Attractive pension scheme

26 days holiday plus University Christmas closure

Generous parental/adoption leave policy

Onsite childcare facilities

Excellent learning and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Degree level qualified in a relevant subject.
• Applied industrial experience required.
• Good organisational and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Utilise knowledge and technology to react to client needs.
• Conduct on-site assessments with customers.
• Collaborate with senior engineers and managers on projects.

Skills

Understanding of polymer-based materials

Hands-on experience preparing and testing samples

Data analysis from characterisation techniques

Education

Degree in a relevant subject

Job description

About The Role

For informal enquiries, please contact Neil Jeffries at [e-mail]. The WMG SME Group are seeking to appoint a Materials Engineer to join their multidisciplinary team to assist in the delivery of our SME Programmes. This Group helps manufacturing SME’s become more productive and competitive and aim to accelerate SME economic growth through research-led innovation. We build strong sustainable and collaborative relationships with SME businesses and partner organisations.

You should be degree level qualified in a relevant subject and have applied industrial experience. Be skilled in carrying out the design and development of new product and making manufacturing recommendations before implementing them within the client environment. Good organisational and interpersonal skills are also required.

Specifically, The Role Involves

• Utilise necessary knowledge and technology in the team to react to client project needs and to provide solutions with regards to how best to solve the client challenges.
• Conduct on-site assessments and line walks with customers to identify their challenges and identify improvement opportunities.
• Collaborate with other senior engineers and managers in the group and wider university to deliver engineering projects where required.

Travel to customer sites (mainly within the West Midlands) to support project delivery.

About You

The ideal candidate will have a background in one or more of the following:

• A broad understanding of polymer-based materials (plastics or composites) their composition, mechanical properties and how they are processed.
• An understanding and appreciation of materials and chemical structures/bonding.
• Hands‑on experience preparing, handing and testing samples, complying with Health and Safety practises.
• Ability to understand and analyse data gathered from materials characterisation techniques.

This role presents a unique range of career development opportunities: for people with materials skills and knowledge to expand their technical knowledge and gain experience working with clients.

For details on the experience and skills required, please refer to the job description attached as a PDF below.

About The Department

The Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) is the largest department at the University of Warwick, with over 800 staff and nearly 3,000 students across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in management, technology, and applied engineering.

We are globally recognised for our world‑class research, innovative industry partnerships, and teaching excellence, and we are proud holders of the Athena SWAN Silver Award and the Institutional Silver Award.

Find out more about the High Value Manufacturing Catapult centre.

Find out more about the Energy Innovation Centre.

Find out more about our range of undergraduate and apprenticeship degrees here.

About The University

We are a world‑leading research‑intensive university founded in 1965. We are ranked 106th in the world and 8th in the UK.* Additionally, 92% of our research is rated world‑leading or internationally excellent.**

Find out more about us at warwick.ac.uk/about/.

• World University Ranking 2024, Guardian University Guide 2025
• Research Excellence Framework 2021

How to Apply

Closing deadline: Sunday 4th January 2026 at 11:55pm (UK Time). To apply, please click "Apply" below and submit an application form by the closing deadline. You will be asked to include a CV and a cover letter.

Your CV Should Include

• Your education and employment history (including your most recent employment).
• Any other relevant experience (e.g. volunteering, extracurricular, etc.).

Your Cover Letter Should Explain

• Your motivations for applying to the role.
• Using examples, how you meet the essential and desirable criteria detailed in the job description (PDF attached below).

All essential criteria must be met by candidates who are invited to interview.

For guidance on writing a cover letter, see here.

• Interview Date: End January 2026
• Start Date: 1st March 2026

Please note application forms must be submitted before the stated deadline - you will not be able to submit after 23:55 (even if you opened the form earlier). Only applications submitted via our official careers portal (warwick-careers.tal.net) will be considered.

What we Offer

We provide a comprehensive range of benefits, including:

• An attractive pension scheme.
• 26 days holiday plus University Christmas closure.
• Generous parental/adoption leave policy.
• Onsite childcare facilities.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.

We recognise the importance of a healthy work/life balance and offer access to flexible working arrangements. For more information, see here.

We are proud to be a Living Wage employer.

Equality, Diversity, & Inclusion

Warwick is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive and respectful community where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, cultures, and communities, and actively encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.

Find out more about our Social Inclusion work at Warwick.

Find out more about our awards and accreditations.

Safeguarding & DBS

The University of Warwick is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those we work with.

• Roles involving regulated activity are subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at the appropriate level, in line with the DBS Code of Practice.
• The University will ensure that anyone subject to a barring order does not undertake any work with the barred group (children and/or adults).
• All employees, volunteers, and partners are expected to share our commitment to safeguarding.

Rehabilitation of Ex-Offenders

The University will not discriminate against applicants who make a disclosure relating to a conviction.

Disclosures at application stage are only visible to the DBS team, not to hiring panels. This ensures fairness and removes bias from the shortlisting process.

Job Description

JD Engineer (Material & Manufacturer) (111118).pdf – 217KB Opens in a new window

Right to Work in the UK

If you do not yet have the right to work in the UK and/or are seeking sponsorship for a Skilled Worker visa, please follow this link which contains further information about obtaining the right to work in the UK.