Senior Materials Engineer
Senior materials engineers ensure compliance with specifications.
The Role
  • Working with many different materials, including construction products and raw materials, chemicals, glass or polymers
  • Selecting the best combination of materials for a job
  • Optimising working practices
  • Testing materials
  • Analysing data
  • Designing prototypes
  • Looking for eco-friendly solutions
  • Monitoring quality
  • Checking compliance with legal requirements
  • Development of business technical documents
  • Development and delivery of technical training
  • Auditing of testing or supply chain facilities
  • Managing a development team
  • Communicating new concepts to the design team
  • Developing an understanding of specifications and client requirements to allow research, design and development of materials and working practices to ensure compliance with specifications
  • Developing new technologies or products that allow a business to reduce cost and optimise resources
  • Understanding the properties and benefits of different materials meaning you can deliver innovative designs that can reduce costs and increase efficiency
  • Understanding the design process from initial concept to final production
  • Monitoring and guiding the input of other engineers on a project
  • Work around 50 hours a week, usually between 8am and 6pm
  • There may be some shift work or working away from home however depending on an organisation’s needs
Salary
  • Newly trained Senior Materials Engineers can earn in the region of £20,000–£30,000
  • Trained with experience Senior Materials Engineers can earn in the region of £30,000–£40,000
  • Chartered or Senior Materials Engineers can earn in the region of £40,000–£65,000
Salaries typically range depending on location and level of responsibility. Salaries and career options improve with chartered status.
Qualifications & Training
Because this is a more senior role, a BSc Honours Degree, Diploma to an advanced standard, L6 NVQ/HNC or Scottish equivalent in an engineering field – preferably in materials engineering specifically – will most likely be required. For some positions, an engineering Masters Degree could be required as well, or membership status with a relevant engineering body. However, experience is often very important too, so entrants with other qualifications or at least 10 years working experience might be considered.