Corrosion and Coatings Principal Consultant

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission‑critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting‑edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

Infrastructure owners face increasing challenges around ageing assets, climate resilience, sustainability and cost management.

As a Corrosion & Coatings Principal Consultant, you'll play a key role in helping clients understand how and why assets deteriorate, enabling them to make informed decisions that improve safety, reduce lifecycle costs and maximise operational performance.

Your expertise will directly influence

• The longevity and resilience of critical infrastructure assets
• Sustainable repair and maintenance strategies
• Reduced carbon impact through smarter asset management decisions
• Improved safety and reliability for communities and asset owners
• Successful delivery of complex infrastructure programmes across the UK and beyond

The work you do won't just solve today's problems. It will help shape the future performance of essential infrastructure.

What’s In It For You

Help protect and extend the life of some of the UK’s most critical infrastructure while building your reputation as a specialist in a highly sought‑after field.

This is more than a technical consultancy role. It's an opportunity to work on complex, high‑profile programmes across transportation, water and environmental sectors, helping clients make smarter, more sustainable decisions about asset performance and longevity.

You’ll benefit from

• Exposure to nationally significant infrastructure projects
• The chance to work alongside recognised industry experts in corrosion, coatings and materials durability
• A collaborative, supportive team that values knowledge-sharing and professional development
• Clear pathways toward Chartership and continued technical specialisation
• Variety in your work, from site investigations and inspections through to client‑facing consultancy and strategic advisory work
• Opportunities to contribute to business growth, innovation and industry‑leading solutions
• Flexibility to work across diverse projects and sectors, building broad and valuable expertise

We Offer

• Market rate salary We offer compensation that reflects your skills and experience
• 24 days holiday + option to buy a further 10 days
• Robust Pension Contributions We offer enhanced pension contributions up to 10% to secure your future
• Comprehensive Health Coverage Single medical cover and Digital GP service, with options to add your partner and family
• Employee Networks We have a commitment to hiring a diverse workforce and supporting colleagues of different backgrounds
• Family Planning Support Access to fertility healthcare and family planning services
• Enhanced Parental Leave Enjoy enhanced parental leave pay and free membership to employee assistance and parental programs
• Life assurance at 4x your salary
• Income Protection Financial security in case of long‑term illness or injury
• Wellbeing Hub Free access to wellbeing apps like Calm and Daily Burn
• Professional Development We cover professional membership fees and provide continuous professional development (CPD) opportunities
• Community Engagement Participate in charity matched‑funding, paid volunteering time, and charitable donations

About The Opportunity

Join a specialist, internationally respected team known for technical excellence, collaboration and innovation in materials durability and asset protection.

In this role, you'll work on a fascinating mix of projects that combine field investigations, technical analysis and client advisory services.

No two weeks are the same. One day you could be carrying out condition assessments on site, the next developing repair specifications, interpreting inspection data or presenting recommendations to clients.

You’ll be involved

• Site inspections, investigations and durability assessments of steel and coating systems using visual inspection and testing techniques
• Identifying and analysing deterioration mechanisms and asset defects
• Literature reviews, calculations/modelling
• Developing specifications for new‑build and rehabilitation projects
• Producing clear, high‑quality technical reports and recommendations
• Applying UK, European and international standards to real‑world challenges
• Supporting client engagement, project delivery and technical presentations
• Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams on major infrastructure programmes
• Contributing to business development and the growth of long‑term client relationships

This role is based from our London Bridge office, with travel for project work and site visits as required.

Given the nature of the projects, candidates eligible for SC Clearance will be particularly valued.

Essential

• Degree in Materials Science, Corrosion Science, or similar
• Membership of relevant professional institutions and holding or working towards Chartered status
• Proven experience in consultancy and/or project delivery within the construction industry
• Practical experience including significant site exposure and understanding of HSE requirements (academic‑only experience is not sufficient)
• Proven experience in working directly alongside contractors and subcontractors
• Technical knowledge and experience in coatings and steel systems (primary area of focus), specifically
  • Deterioration mechanisms and associated assessment and analysis approaches
  • Investigation and assessment methods (visual inspection and both destructive and non‑destructive testing)
  • Evaluation of site data and reports to recommend practical and cost‑effective repair and maintenance strategies
  • Specification and assessment using UK/EU codes and international best practice
  • Sustainability, climate resilience, and carbon management
• Strong communication, collaboration, and report‑writing skills
• Ability to manage deadlines and take ownership of deliverables
• Relevant health and safety certifications (e.g. CSCS card, confined space training, water safety, marine/sea survival training)

Nice to Have

• Experience in cathodic protection (CP) for reinforced concrete (Level 2 or above desirable)
• Experience with additional materials such as polymers or waterproofing systems
• Laboratory and/or research experience, particularly in inspection and testing processes
• Strong record of continuing professional development (CPD)
• Valid driving licence where required for site attendance

We're looking for an experienced professional who can bring practical expertise as well as strong technical knowledge.

Ready to Make Your Mark?

If you're excited by the idea of solving complex engineering challenges, protecting critical infrastructure and working alongside some of the industry's leading specialists, we'd love to hear from you.

Jacobs offers hybrid working and a standard 40-hour working week

With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we’ve gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You’ll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities, from well‑being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. No matter what drives you, you’ll discover how you can cultivate, nurture, and achieve your goals – all at a single global company. Find out more about life at Jacobs.

We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we’re more connected and creative. We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of different perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds in the workplace, as a source of learning and innovation. We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs, including through our Jacobs Employee Networks, Communities of Practice and our Find Your Community initiatives, allowing every employee to find connection, purpose, and belonging. Find out more about ourJacobs Employee Networks here.

Jacobs partners with VERCIDA to help us attract and retain talent from a wide range of backgrounds. For greater online accessibility please visit https//www.vercida.com/uk/employers/jacobs to view and access our roles.

As a disability confident employer, we will interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.

We value collaboration and believe that in‑person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.