Materials Laboratory Technician

Celnor Group; Inverness; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

40 hour working week

Training and development

Career progression opportunities

Job summary

MSS in Inverness is seeking an experienced Materials Laboratory Technician to join our laboratory team. You will perform testing on soils, aggregates and construction materials, ensuring accuracy and timely results in line with industry standards.

You will maintain traceability, assist with quality procedures, and support internal audits while working within a small in-house team that supports major construction and infrastructure projects in Scotland and the wider UK.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in materials testing, geotechnical, soils or aggregates labs.
• Familiarity with BS 1377 and BS EN 933 testing standards.
• Understanding BS EN ISO/IEC 17025 and quality management systems.

Responsibilities

• Receive, register, prepare and manage samples with traceability.
• Carry out laboratory testing on soils, aggregates and related materials.
• Perform moisture content, particle size, Atterberg limits, compaction and grading tests.
• Record observations, test data and results accurately.
• Review results for anomalies and investigate issues.
• Prepare worksheets, reports and supporting documentation.
• Maintain equipment, calibration records and testing schedules.

Skills

Materials testing experience

BS 1377 testing standards

BS EN 933 testing standards

BS EN ISO/IEC 17025

Calibration & maintenance

Documentation & records

IT skills (MS Office & lab systems)

Attention to detail

Communication & organization

Tools

Laboratory equipment calibration

Laboratory systems

Job description

Materials Laboratory Technician

Department: Field Team

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Inverness

Compensation: £25,000 - £35,000 / year

Description

Contract: Permanent, Full-time

Location: Inverness

Salary: Competitive

About Us

MSS is a specialist materials testing business providing high-quality site and laboratory testing services to clients across the construction, infrastructure and civil engineering sectors.

Working on projects of all sizes, we support contractors, developers and engineers with reliable testing, technical expertise and responsive service. Our experienced team plays a vital role in helping clients maintain quality, safety and compliance throughout the construction process.

Part of the Celnor Group

Celnor Group is a UK-based environmental services group operating across the Testing, Inspection, Certification and Compliance (TICC) landscape. With a growing portfolio of specialist businesses, Celnor provides essential services that protect people, property and the environment.

While each business retains its own identity, culture and technical specialism, all are supported by a central group function that invests in people, systems and long-term sustainable growth.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Materials Laboratory Technician to join our laboratory team in Inverness.

Working within our Materials Testing Laboratory, you will be responsible for carrying out accurate and timely testing of soils, aggregates and construction materials while ensuring compliance with relevant industry standards and quality procedures.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced laboratory professional who enjoys technical work, maintaining high standards of accuracy and contributing to the delivery of quality testing services that support major construction and infrastructure projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Receive, register, prepare and manage samples while maintaining full traceability and chain of custody
• Carry out laboratory testing on soils, aggregates and related construction materials
• Undertake testing including moisture content, particle size distribution, Atterberg Limits, compaction testing and aggregate grading
• Accurately record observations, test data and results
• Review test results and identify anomalies or issues requiring investigation
• Prepare worksheets, reports and supporting laboratory documentation
• Maintain laboratory equipment, calibration records and testing schedules
• Carry out routine equipment checks, verifications and calibrations
• Support internal audits, quality assessments and continuous
• Ensure compliance with laboratory procedures, quality standards and health and safety requirements
• Provide guidance and support to less experienced technicians where required

Skills, Knowledge, and Expertise

• Substantial experience within a materials testing, geotechnical, soils or aggregates testing laboratory
• Working knowledge of relevant BS 1377 and BS EN 933 testing standards
• Understanding of BS EN ISO/IEC 17025 and quality management systems
• Experience carrying out equipment calibration, verification and maintenance activities
• Strong attention to detail and ability to identify unusual or invalid test results
• Experience maintaining accurate test records and technical documentation
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office applications and laboratory systems
• Strong communication and organisational skills

What We're Looking For

We are looking for a technically capable and detail-oriented individual who takes pride in delivering accurate and reliable testing services.

The successful candidate will be organised, quality-focused and committed to maintaining high standards of technical performance. You will enjoy working as part of a team, supporting continuous improvement and ensuring clients receive dependable results and service.

Salary and Benefits

We offer a competitive salary and provide a supportive working environment including:

• 40 hour working week, Monday to Friday
• Supportive team environment with ongoing training and development
• Opportunity to work within a growing business supporting major construction and infrastructure projects
• Career progression opportunities as MSS continues to expand across multiple regions

This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing business and play a key role within an established materials testing laboratory supporting projects across Scotland and the wider UK.

MSS is committed to providing equal opportunities and values diversity in the workplace.

Celnor Group and its businesses manage recruitment directly. We do not require agency support for this role and will only engage with recruitment partners from our preferred supplier list where necessary.

We may use technology, including AI-enabled tools, to support parts of the recruitment process. AI is not used for candidate screening, scoring or hiring decisions. All hiring decisions are made by people, for people. Our recruitment systems are ISO 42001 accredited, reflecting our commitment to ethical, transparent and responsible use of technology.