Senior / Lead Materials Engineer

YASA; Cherwell District; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

YASA is seeking a Senior or Lead Materials Engineer to join Graeme Hyson’s R&D team in the UK. The role focuses on material selection, testing, and failure analysis to support both new technology development and problem solving on motors and drive components.

You will turn loosely defined requirements into evidence-based recommendations, work with adhesives, welding, and joining technologies, and collaborate with external partners to qualify solutions.

Qualifications

• Hands-on role turning incomplete or loosely defined requirements into evidence-based engineering recommendations.
• Experience with ISO- and ASTM-equivalent standards for sample preparation and testing.
• Laboratory work will be central; role is primarily site-based.
• Experience with joining technologies such as adhesives and welding.

Responsibilities

• Lead the selection and development of materials, adhesives, joining processes and manufacturing technologies.
• Identify opportunities arising from new materials and emerging technologies.
• Develop and manage practical materials testing, including work with external test partners.
• Support the teardown and examination of failed motors, drive units and components.
• Diagnose failure mechanisms and define further testing to establish root cause.
• Work with internal engineering teams and external suppliers to develop and qualify material solutions.

Skills

Materials engineering

Root cause analysis

Testing methodology

Problem solving

Job description

We have an opportunity to join Graeme Hyson’s R&D team as a Senior or Lead Materials Engineer , supporting both new technology development and the investigation of material-related failures.

Materials are fundamental to the performance of YASA’s axial flux motors, with thermal, magnetic and mechanical demands directly affecting power density, reliability and cost. This is a hands‑on role for someone who can turn incomplete or loosely defined requirements into clear, evidence‑based engineering recommendations.

The role will see you:

• Lead the selection and development of materials, adhesives, joining processes and manufacturing technologies.
• Identify opportunities arising from new materials and emerging technologies.
• Develop and manage practical materials testing, including work with external test partners.
• Support the teardown and examination of failed motors, drive units and components.
• Diagnose failure mechanisms and define further testing to establish root cause.
• Work with internal engineering teams and external suppliers to develop and qualify material solutions.

We’re looking for someone with applied experience across metallic and non‑metallic materials, practical knowledge of joining technologies such as adhesives and welding, and a methodical approach to testing and root‑cause analysis. Experience of sample preparation and testing to ISO, ASTM or equivalent standards is important. As laboratory work is central to the position, the role will be primarily site-based.