Senior Lab Engineer & Operations Manager in London

We are seeking a Senior Lab Engineer to own the operation, maintenance, and development of our materials synthesis and characterisation lab. You will be the technical backbone of our experimental infrastructure: the person who keeps complex, high‑value equipment running reliably, who diagnoses faults before they become failures, and turns the lab into a high‑throughput, well‑instrumented experimental facility.

You’ll work closely with our material scientists, computational and AI teams, ensuring that experimental throughput and data quality can keep pace with what our models require. This is a hands‑on, senior role with real ownership. You will be joining a small, highly ambitious team of world‑renowned engineers, AI researchers, and materials scientists. We move fast and value people who are energised by that.

What You’ll Do

• Own lab throughput and operational reliability across synthesis, sample preparation, characterisation and data capture workflows; identify bottlenecks, reduce downtime, improve instrument utilisation, and increase the number of high‑quality experiments the lab can run per week.
• Develop and maintain preventive maintenance schedules, SOPs, and risk assessments for all equipment.
• Diagnose and resolve complex equipment failures (vacuum leaks, electronic faults, mechanical misalignment), minimising downtime.
• Design and run synthesis and characterisation experiments in collaboration with materials scientists, ensuring reproducibility and data integrity.
• Onboard and mentor junior lab staff on instrument operation, maintenance practices, and safety.
• Evaluate, procure, and commission new equipment and consumables as our lab capabilities expand.
• Liaise with vendors and service engineers on repairs, calibrations, and upgrades.
• Support the integration of experimental outputs into automated data pipelines feeding our AI platform.
• Support the automation of our lab equipment to ensure experimental throughput and data quality can keep pace with what our models require.

Qualifications

• Substantial hands‑on experience maintaining and troubleshooting research‑grade laboratory equipment in a professional setting, e.g., national lab, semiconductor fab, scientific instrument company, or equivalent.
• Experience improving throughput, uptime, turnaround time or reliability in an instrument‑heavy lab, pilot line, semiconductor fab, analytical testing facility, manufacturing environment or similar setting.
• Practical expertise across our instrument suite or a closely related set:
• High‑vacuum equipment.
• Scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
• Optical characterisation.
• X‑ray diffraction (XRD).
• High‑field magnets.
• High‑temperature metallurgical synthesis.
• Strong vacuum systems knowledge: pump maintenance, leak detection, RGA, bakeout procedures.
• Ability to perform component‑level diagnostics and repairs, vacuum, electronic, and mechanical, without waiting for factory service representatives.
• Familiarity with ionising radiation safety regulations and relevant local licensing requirements.
• Rigorous approach to documentation: SOPs, maintenance logs and data provenance.
• Some CAD experience for fixture design and lab modifications.

Nice to Have

• Experience integrating instruments with automated data capture or laboratory management systems.
• Python or scripting experience for instrument control, automation or data processing.
• Background supporting high‑throughput or combinatorial experimental workflows.
• Prior experience in a startup or fast‑paced research environment where you've had to set up a lab and/or build processes from scratch.

Why Join Us

Build and shape a world‑class experimental lab from an early stage, the equipment list, the processes, and the culture are yours to help define. Work at the intersection of cutting‑edge AI and physical materials discovery. Collaborate directly with researchers and engineers, together we are redefining how science is done.

Diffractive is building the AI Material Scientist that autonomously learns from real‑world experimentation to push the boundaries of scientific discovery. We’re early, moving fast, and working on problems that genuinely matter. You’ll join a small, high‑calibre team where your work has real impact from day one. We’re London‑based with a flexible approach to how and where you work. We offer competitive salary, generous equity and benefits. You’ll have a real stake in what you build and in the company’s overall success.

How to Apply

If you’re excited about this role and believe you could thrive in it, we’d encourage you to apply even if you may not align with every part of the job description. Diffractive is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities. If you require any adjustments or accommodations at any point during the interview process please let us know – we will be happy to help. Hit the apply button below to submit your application. We are looking forward to hearing from you!