Materials Engineer

Join our team in Derby as a Materials Engineer to support high‑performance component development within a cutting‑edge turbomachinery environment. You’ll work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams to ensure that all materials selected for critical components meet demanding performance, durability, and manufacturability requirements.

The role involves working with a broad spectrum of metallic materials — from austenitic steels to advanced nickel‑based alloys — as well as supporting joining processes, coatings, and surface engineering used in high‑temperature, high‑stress applications.

• Location: Derby 
• On Site: 3x a week 
• Clearance: Not required 
• Experience Level: Mid level 

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide technical expertise on material selection for complex, high‑integrity components
• Evaluate and qualify materials ranging from austenitic steels to aerospace‑grade nickel alloys
• Support manufacturing processes including brazing, heat treatment, and advanced coating technologies
• Develop and maintain material specifications, testing plans, and qualification documentation
• Conduct material investigations, including failure analysis and root‑cause assessments
• Collaborate with design, manufacturing, and supplier teams to ensure materials meet performance and compliance requirements
• Assess supplier capability and material quality for critical components
• Contribute to R&D initiatives aimed at improving material performance and manufacturability

Qualifications

Required Skills:

• Experience with high‑temperature alloys, including nickel‑based superalloys
• Strong understanding of metallic microstructures, degradation mechanisms, and material behaviour under extreme conditions
• Knowledge of brazing, joining methods, and protective coating systems
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes such as forging, casting, machining, and heat treatment
• Experience in materials testing, qualification, and failure analysis
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, standards, and technical specifications
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively in cross‑functional engineering teams

Required Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, or equivalent military experience.

Desirable Skills:

• Experience with high‑temperature metallic alloys, including nickel‑based superalloys and advanced stainless steels
• Strong understanding of material behaviour under thermal, mechanical, and environmental stress
• Knowledge of joining technologies such as brazing, diffusion bonding, and high‑integrity weld processes
• Familiarity with coating and surface engineering for wear, oxidation, and corrosion protection

Additional Information

Why join us? 

We bring together entrepreneurial, tech-driven people to deliver innovative solutions for leading companies.

At ALTEN, you’ll work on exciting projects, supported by ongoing learning, mentoring, and clear career development tailored to your goals.

Join a passionate team and help build tomorrow, today.

In short you get: 

• A personalised career path and a rewarding management style 
• A huge diversity of engineering projects and industries
• Private Medical Insurance
• Cycle & Tech Scheme 
• Employee assistance programme
• Life insurance & Pension Scheme
• Social atmosphere, regular gatherings & team buildings
• Flexible way of working (role dependent)

We are proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant & actively encourage applications from members of the Armed Forces community, including veterans, reservists, service leavers, and military spouses/partners. We recognise the value of military skills and experience and are committed to ensuring that no applicant is unfairly disadvantaged during our recruitment and selection processes. 

This role may require you to have or be willing to go through Security Clearance. As part of the onboarding process candidates will be asked to complete a Baseline Personnel Security Standard; details of the evidence required to apply may be found on the government website Gov.UK. If you are unable to meet this and any associated criteria, then your employment may be delayed, or rejected . Details of this will be discussed with you at interview.

About the Company

ALTEN is a global engineering and technology consultancy operating across over 35 countries worldwide. We partner with industry leaders across sectors including Aeronautics, Aerospace, Defence, Naval, Automotive, Energy, Rail, IT and many more to deliver innovative engineering solutions that drive technological advancement & support sustainable transformation.

Our teams of passionate and agile engineers work on cutting-edge projects that shape the future of technology and sustainability. At ALTEN, we empower talented engineers to innovate, solve complex challenges, and deliver impactful solutions that build tomorrow’s world—today.

Join us and start building tomorrow’s world today!