At a Glance
- Tasks: Support high-performance component development in a cutting-edge turbomachinery environment.
- Company: Join ALTEN, a tech-driven company delivering innovative solutions.
- Benefits: Personalised career path, private medical insurance, and flexible working options.
- Why this job: Work on exciting projects and make a real impact in engineering.
- Qualifications: Degree in Engineering or equivalent military experience required.
- Other info: Diverse projects, supportive team culture, and clear career development.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 ÂŁ per year.
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
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:
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.
Materials Engineer in Derby employer: ALTEN
Contact Detail:
ALTEN Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Materials Engineer in Derby
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the engineering field, especially those who work with materials. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or a presentation that highlights your experience with high-temperature alloys and material behaviour. This will help you stand out during interviews and showcase your expertise.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers, especially around technical questions related to brazing and joining methods. The more comfortable you are, the better you'll perform.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Materials Engineer in Derby
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Materials Engineer role. Highlight your experience with high-temperature alloys and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about materials engineering and how your background makes you a great fit for our team. Keep it engaging and relevant to the job description.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t forget to mention your technical expertise in areas like brazing, heat treatment, and material testing. We love seeing candidates who can demonstrate their knowledge of metallic microstructures and degradation mechanisms.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at ALTEN
✨Know Your Materials
Brush up on your knowledge of high-temperature alloys, especially nickel-based superalloys. Be ready to discuss their properties, applications, and any relevant experiences you have had with them. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the materials but also passionate about them.
✨Understand Manufacturing Processes
Familiarise yourself with processes like brazing, heat treatment, and advanced coating technologies. Prepare to explain how these processes impact material selection and performance. This will demonstrate your ability to collaborate effectively with manufacturing teams.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions related to material behaviour under extreme conditions and degradation mechanisms. Practise articulating your thought process during failure analysis or root-cause assessments. This will help you convey your technical expertise confidently.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
Since collaboration is key in this role, be ready to share examples of how you've worked in cross-functional teams. Highlight your communication skills and how you’ve contributed to successful projects. This will illustrate that you can thrive in a multidisciplinary environment.