Materials Engineer

Materials Engineer

Full-Time 40500 - 49500 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Rivan

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead materials selection and testing for innovative air capture technology.
  • Company: Join a pioneering team focused on sustainable engineering solutions.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, share options, private health insurance, and unlimited time off.
  • Other info: Flexible work arrangements and extensive relocation support available.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in sustainability while working with cutting-edge materials.
  • Qualifications: Strong understanding of high-temperature materials and hands-on engineering experience.

The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.

We are looking for a Materials Scientist to own materials selection, testing and failure analysis across our direct air capture system.

The role will be heavily focused on our high-temperature kiln and lime-processing equipment.

You will work on refractories, ceramics, heating elements, coatings, metals, alloys and sorbent-contacting materials.

You will be expected to take unclear materials problems, break them down from first principles, define the right tests, analyse the results, and turn them into clear engineering decisions.

This is a hands‑on engineering role, not a purely academic one.

You will work closely with process, mechanical, electrical and operations teams to make sure the materials we choose survive real operating conditions and can scale.

  • Core skills
  • Strong understanding of high-temperature materials, ceramics, refractories, corrosion, sintering, thermal shock and chemical compatibility.
  • Experience working with kilns, furnaces, lime, cement, ceramics, glass, thermochemical processing or similarly harsh high-temperature systems.
  • Ability to independently lead technical workstreams from a poorly defined problem to a clear recommendation.
  • Ability to define practical validation tests and interpret materials characterisation data.
  • Strong first-principles reasoning.
  • You should be able to look at a failed component, deposit, coating or refractory and work out what evidence is needed to understand the failure.
  • Comfortable engaging with suppliers, consultants, manufacturers and research organisations.
  • Able to balance performance, cost, lead time, manufacturability, reliability and scale‑up risk.
  • Clear written communication. We need concise technical recommendations, not open-ended reports.
  • Experience with refractory selection, installation methods, coatings or hot‑face materials.
  • Experience with Si C heating elements, protective glazes, electric furnaces or high-temperature heating systems.
  • Experience with lime, cement, calcination, carbonation, sorbents or thermochemical cycling.
  • Experience with XRD, SEM/EDS, XRF, microscopy, TGA/DSC or other materials characterisation techniques.
  • Experience with equilibrium modelling or phase chemistry tools such as Fact Sage, Thermo‑Calc, HSC Chemistry, CALPHAD or similar.
  • Experience taking materials decisions from lab testing through to pilot or production hardware.
  • A Ph D or postdoc in materials science, ceramics, metallurgy, chemical engineering or a related field would be valuable, but is not required.
  • We care more about capability than credentials.
  • Specifics
  • £60-90k Salary depending on experience
  • Share options as part of the early team
  • Extensive relocation support, including £6000 per year extra to live close to our HQ
  • In‑person work at our HQ in Bermondsey, South‑East London – flexibility considered based on personal circumstances
  • Private health insurance
  • Unlimited time off

We encourage exceptional applicants from all backgrounds to apply for this role, even if they do not meet all the requirements listed.

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Materials Engineer employer: Rivan

Join a forward-thinking company in Bermondsey, South-East London, where as a Materials Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in advancing our direct air capture technology. We offer a dynamic work culture that values hands-on engineering and encourages innovation, alongside competitive benefits such as extensive relocation support, private health insurance, and unlimited time off. With a strong emphasis on employee growth and collaboration across diverse teams, this is an excellent opportunity for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the field of materials science.

Rivan

Contact Details:

Rivan Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Materials Engineer

Join Engineering Meetups!

Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time Materials Engineer role you’re after at Rivan.

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Engage with Online Communities

Dive into engineering forums and online communities, like Reddit or specific engineering Discord channels. Sharing your insights, asking questions, and being active can help you build connections that might lead to job opportunities at Rivan.

Apply Through Company Websites

When you spot a role like Materials Engineer at Rivan, apply directly through their website. Often, this can show your genuine interest in the company and you might just get noticed quicker than via typical job boards.

We think you need these skills to ace Materials Engineer

Materials Selection
Failure Analysis
High-Temperature Materials
Ceramics
Refractories
Corrosion Resistance
Sintering

Some tips for your application 🫡

Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Materials Engineer, it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.

Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at Rivan a clear picture of the value you can bring.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to Rivan specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!

Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.

How to prepare for a job interview at Rivan

Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles

Before heading into the interview with Rivan, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!

Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills

Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.

Relate Your Experience to the Role

In a full-time role, employers like Rivan want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.

Know Your Tools and Software

Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.