Material Science jobs in United Kingdom

Location: Rosyth, Scotland, United Kingdom

Role Type: Permanent – Full Time

Package: Competitive Salary + Benefits

Role ID: SF19020

Are you ready to be part of the future? At QinetiQ, we’re not just imagining tomorrow we are creating it. From cutting‑edge defence technology to ground‑breaking innovations our mission is to empower and protect lives. Join us as a Principal Materials and Structural Integrity Engineer at our Rosyth site, where you will have the opportunity to work with cutting‑edge technology in partnership with some of the most brilliant minds.

As a Principal Materials and Structural Integrity Engineer you will join a well‑established maritime defence engineering team of experienced naval architects who deliver innovative solutions that enhance vessel performance throughout the entire lifecycle, ensuring delivery of optimal and reliable solutions.

Day‑to‑day, you’ll focus on testing submarine and surface ship structures to evaluate their performance under operational conditions, primarily supporting the Royal Navy.

As well as leading technical efforts in materials engineering, with your expertise in ferrous materials (including welding), material testing and qualification, fatigue and fracture mechanics, you will oversee the delivery of key technical outputs, design reports and documentation and will be responsible for reviewing and approving work packages, reports, and drawings.

• Lead and coordinate engineering activities to deliver technical programmes effectively. Apply expert judgement to solve complex problems, manage schedules, and ensure delivery within scope, budget, and quality standards.
• Through example, demonstrate the expected QinetiQ values and behaviours, which are Integrity, Collaboration, Performance, Listening, Focus and Keeping our Promises.
• Use your skills and knowledge to develop the capabilities in the areas you are working in. Mentor others to improve the knowledge of your areas of expertise within the wider engineering and technical communities.
• Actively participate and encourage increased collaboration across the Group and wider technical teams. Work with other functions (e.g. Technical Excellence; Safety Engineering) to deliver the technical programme of work such that it complies with statutory, regulatory, company, business and project specific processes and procedures.
• Use opportunities with partner organisations and other parties to identify and then develop joint technical approaches and methods to expand our combined offering so that we can deliver greater value to our customers. This will include supporting the Business Development and Sales strategy. Give technical presentations and talk knowledgably about the work conducted in external forums, including conferences and in customer meetings.
• Ensure projects/programmes you are responsible for are conducted in a safe manner, highlighting hazards and potentially unsafe practices and providing potential options to reduce the risk so that it is as low as responsibly practicable.

• Significant previous experience of leading multidisciplinary project teams.
• Substantial experience of maritime structural design to recognised codes of practice.
• Good communication skills, both written, verbal and presentational. Including the ability to exchange complex information.
• Good customer and stakeholder management skills. Able to explain and discuss technically complex subjects and ideas to people who are not necessarily conversant in the subject.

• BEng / MEng in Engineering or Materials Science or equivalent experience in an engineering environment.
• Chartered Engineer or working towards Chartership.

We value difference and we don’t have a fixed idea when it comes to background or education, provided you can show the required level of experience and willingness to learn then we would like to hear from you.

This role is 37 hours per week based at Rosyth. Hybrid working patterns are available.

QinetiQ operates state‑of‑the‑art facilities across the UK that focus on defence, security and technology innovation. These facilities enable QinetiQ to conduct a wide range of research, testing and development activities that support both military and civilian applications helping to advance technology and support national security.

As we continue to grow into new markets around the world, there’s never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges.

As a QinetiQ employee, you’ll experience a unique working environment where teams from different backgrounds, disciplines and experiences enjoy collaborating widely and openly as we undertake this exciting and rewarding journey. Through effective teamwork, and pulling together, you’ll get to experience what happens when we all share different perspectives, blend disciplines, and link technologies; constantly discovering new ways of solving complex problems in a diverse and inclusive environment where you can be authentic, feel valued and realise your full potential. Visit our website to read more about our diverse and inclusive workplace culture. https://www.qinetiq.com/en/careers/life-at-qinetiq

• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Generous holiday allowance, with the option to purchase additional days
• Options to join Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance
• Employee discount portal: Personal Accident Insurance, Travel Insurance, Restaurants, Cinema Tickets and much more
• We are proud to support the Armed Forces community by honouring the Armed Forces Covenant and maintaining our Gold Award standard in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
• Volunteering Opportunities - helping charities and local community

We want to make sure that our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible and we aspire to bring out the best in our candidates by creating an environment where everyone feels valued, heard and supported. If you have a disability or health condition that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your Recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Many roles in QinetiQ are subject to national security vetting being completed, applicants who already hold the appropriate level of vetting may be able to transfer it upon appointment. A number of roles are also subject to additional restrictions, which means factors such as nationality or previous nationalities may affect the roles that you can be employed in.

Please note that all applicants for this role must be eligible for SC clearance, as a minimum.