Technical Manager/Materials Scientist

Sourced Recruitment Limited; Cheltenham; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pension

Holiday entitlement

International travel

Relocation assistance

IT equipment provided

Job summary

Sourced Recruitment Limited is seeking a Technical Manager for a Cheltenham-based role in materials science and refractory technology. You will lead R&D projects, develop new products, and help shape the future direction of a specialist engineering business.

You will hold a PhD and bring experience in materials characterization, mechanical testing, and data interpretation, with strong communication skills to present findings to customers and industry audiences.

Qualifications

• PhD in Materials Science, Refractory Technology, Engineering, Chemistry or closely related discipline.
• Experience leading or managing technical or R&D projects.
• Strong understanding of materials characterization, including mechanical testing and microstructural analysis at elevated temperatures.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and data interpretation skills.
• Ability to communicate complex technical information clearly, both verbally and in writing.
• Experience using CAD software such as SolidWorks, CATIA or AutoCAD.
• Confident presenting technical information and papers.

Responsibilities

• Lead research and development projects and drive new product development.
• Analyse laboratory data and oversee development programmes.
• Present technical findings to customers and industry audiences.
• Collaborate with manufacturing to implement scalable solutions.

Skills

Data interpretation

Analytical thinking

Project leadership

Technical communication

Education

PhD in Materials Science or related field

Tools

SolidWorks

CATIA

AutoCAD

Job description

Technical Manager - Materials Science & Refractory Technology

Location: Cheltenham

Salary: £45,000 - £55,000 + Benefits

The Opportunity

Our client is a specialist manufacturer and global supplier of advanced refractory products used within investment casting, precious metals, powder metallurgy and other high-temperature industrial applications. Their products operate in some of the world's most demanding manufacturing environments, where precision, reliability and material performance are critical.

As part of their continued growth, they are looking to appoint a Technical Manager to lead research and development projects, helping to develop new products while continuously improving existing technologies. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys solving complex technical challenges and wants to play a key role in the future direction of a highly specialised engineering business.

The role combines technical leadership, product development and project management, requiring someone who is equally comfortable analysing laboratory data, leading development programmes and presenting technical findings to both customers and industry audiences.

About You

You will hold a PhD in Materials Science, Refractory Technology, Engineering, Chemistry or another closely related scientific discipline, together with the ability to apply your technical knowledge within a commercial manufacturing environment.

This opportunity would suit either a Materials Scientist who has completed their PhD and is looking to step into a more senior technical leadership role, or an experienced technical professional seeking the next challenge within a business where they can genuinely influence research, innovation and future product development.

Essential

• PhD in Materials Science, Refractory Technology, Engineering, Chemistry or a closely related discipline.
• Experience leading or managing technical or research & development projects.
• Strong understanding of materials characterisation, including mechanical testing and microstructural analysis at both ambient and elevated temperatures.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and data interpretation skills.
• Ability to communicate complex technical information clearly, both verbally and in writing.
• Experience using CAD software such as SolidWorks, CATIA or AutoCAD.
• Confident presenting technical information, including the preparation and delivery of technical papers.

Desirable

• Industrial experience within refractory materials, advanced ceramics, investment casting, precision castings, powder metallurgy, precious metals or other high-temperature materials.
• Experience working with products operating at extreme temperatures.
• Additional language skills.
• Previous customer-facing technical support or technical sales experience.

What's on Offer

The successful candidate will receive a competitive salary, together with a company pension, standard holiday entitlement, international business travel with all expenses paid, a dedicated office with IT equipment provided and relocation assistance where appropriate.

This is a rare opportunity to join a highly specialised engineering business working at the forefront of advanced materials, where you will have genuine influence over the development of innovative products while working alongside experts within a technically fascinating sector